Justin Bieber has sparked a wave of online debate after criticizing a small but annoying design issue in Apple’s Messages app. The singer posted on X that he keeps hitting the dictation button by accident, causing his music to stop—an issue that many iPhone users say they know all too well. His dramatic warning that he would put Apple staff in a “rear naked choke hold” quickly drew attention and humor online.
Bieber explained that the problem begins when the dictation icon suddenly switches to the Send button once a user starts typing. After the message is sent, the Send button switches back to the microphone icon. Because the button sits above the suggested words and the O and P keys, users can easily tap it by mistake.
Why the Design Frustrates Users
Although Bieber’s threat was clearly exaggerated, he highlighted a design flaw that many people experience. Even when users disable dictation in Settings, the microphone button becomes a voice-note icon instead. Tapping either one triggers audio recording, which immediately pauses any music playback. This is the exact issue Bieber wants Apple to fix.
The design also increases the chance of accidental double-taps. A user may hit Send, then unknowingly hit the microphone a second later. Since Apple offers no option to disable both dictation and voice notes, the problem persists for people who prefer uninterrupted music.
Tech Community Joins In
Bieber’s post spread quickly, thanks to his massive following. Tech personalities jumped into the conversation as well. Elon Musk reposted the complaint with fire emojis, while OpenAI’s head of design jokingly invited Bieber to join their weekly design critique sessions. Others asked him to review more Apple features, joking that he has entered his “product management era.”
What Happens Next
Apple has not responded publicly, but the situation highlights how even small interface issues can impact millions of users. While the Messages app continues to evolve, many hope that Apple will eventually add options that give users greater control over dictation and voice-note features.
