Clunky, unfriendly, confusing UI

I sent this to Discord under a support ticket, and they gave me a canned response (which is understandable, no doubt they're getting a lot of messages right now because of a new change-- I don't fault them for that) and suggested I post here as well, so I'm going to copy and paste exactly what I sent them.

I recently got the new Discord Mobile update and have found it extremely frustrating and difficult to use. I know there is always an initial pushback anytime a design changes in a significant way, but this update has genuinely made me want to not use Discord Mobile when it was previously my main app usage on my phone. I love Discord and want to see it thrive and know other users have been having similar struggles. 

In your Q&A about this update, you say “We’re always looking for ways to improve our users’ experience on Discord and a big part of this is making investments in improving and evolving the features available on mobile.” All of these new designs have felt like they harm your app features, and do not align with the ease of use on the desktop counterpart. 

Accessing DMs feels very difficult. They feel hidden and I frequently miss any new DMs I have. Their location feels like they’re an afterthought and not included with part of Discord. I also find pins extremely difficult to find. I use DMs in tandem with servers, and separating them out is frustrating and unlike the Desktop use. There is too much footwork involved in trying to use this staple feature. 

The new server layout with the lower feature bar at the bottom feels cluttered. I miss the feature to swipe and view user lists quickly. Many benefit from swipe to reply, but another way to easily swipe to view online users would be beneficial. I also find threads difficult to view, access, and start compared to previously, and feel like there are too many options in the “press and hold” menus for messages when going to pin or mark unread. Being able to order the buttons could be helpful.

This has also not been a feature, but I would deeply appreciate a high contrast mode for mobile. Dark mode is harsh on my eyes, and while I enjoy the white background for servers and messages, a grey/dark sidebar makes it easier to distinguish design elements and makes it easier for me to focus and navigate the app. With the new UI, it's even more confusing and frustrating to try and look at an process. 

I want the old UI back, or at the very least, for mobile to resemble the functionality of the Desktop. It feels like a game of hide and seek now, which destroys the ability to communicate with anyone clearly.

I hope you consider all these things as myself and others are feeling like we are being pushed off of Discord because of the difficulty of users when it has been a staple and main form of communication for us for years. Discord has been a distinct, familiar, and appreciated brand for us, and it is beginning to feel like a clone of all the apps we dislike and left.