Apple has quietly revived its retro dog-cow mascot—Clar**us**, fondly remembered by longtime Mac users—in the iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 update. Hidden within the settings is a playful throwback nod, an easter egg that has resurfaced in the latest mobile software release.
Where to uncover “Moof!” in your device
To track down this hidden gem, first ensure your device is running the latest iOS 27 or iPadOS 27, by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. Inside Settings, go to Appearance > Liquid Glass. At the bottom of the “Welcome to Apple Park” sample images gallery, keep scrolling past the last sample image. When you swipe up far enough, you’ll see the word “Moof!” appear over the search bar overlay, with the image shifting into Clarus, the iconic dog-cow figure.
Why Clarus matters
Clarus first popped up in the early days of Mac OS, used as a visual indicator of paper orientation in page layout tools. The mascot’s design is based on a Cairo dingbat glyph created by Susan Kare in 1984, later adopted by Apple’s Developer Technical Support. Over time Clarus has become a symbol of that vintage Mac era, though its appearances have become increasingly rare.
Including this easter egg is part of a broader pattern at Apple: embedding subtle nods to its history rather than large, flashy surprises. In recent software updates, such hidden touches have resurfaced more as gentle winks than bold statements. In previous versions of macOS, for example, various cameos and references have been discovered by eagle-eyed users.
For users who enjoy this sort of discovery, it’s a reminder that even as operating systems grow more complex and polished, there’s still space for playful roots. The return of Clarus underlines Apple’s willingness to honor its past in small, delightful ways—an easter egg not essential to functionality, but rich in nostalgia.
What does this reveal about Apple today? It underscores how heritage can be leveraged for emotional resonance without interfering with modern design. As AI, AR, and performance dominate Apple’s headlines, moments like “Moof!” provide contrast: they ground the user experience in company lore. Moving forward, keep an eye out for more easter eggs; with this one already unearthed in iOS 27, it seems Apple is more willing than ever to whisper history rather than shout it.
