Apple’s latest operating system—iOS 16—is all set to hit iPhone models and smartwatches on September 12. The Cupertino giant revealed the release date during its ‘Far Out’ event on Wednesday. Software upgrade brings improvements and many options for customization. With iOS 16, the company is adding Focus Mode, a new lock screen and more privacy layers to Hidden and Recently Deleted albums as it mandates users to access these albums using a passcode or biometrics. Similarly, haptic keyboard functionality is coming to the iPhone keyboard with iOS 16. The iOS 16 update brings new features to Messages, Shareplay, Notifications, Maps, Safari, Wallet and more. Apple announced iOS 16 at its Worldwide Developers Conference 2022 in June, and a public beta was released in July.
In the midst of the launch of the iPhone 14 series, Apple has announced that its new software iOS 16 will be released on 12 September. This will come on iPhone 8 or later and second generation and third generation iPhone SE models.
iOS 16 Compatible Devices
The iOS 16 update will be available for iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro. , iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later).
iOS 16 Features
iOS 16 update brings new lock screen with more personalization features. Users can access a gallery of wallpapers with suggested photos and themed collections for inspiration. It allows users to customize fonts for time and date and add lock screen widgets for weather, alarms, activity rings and calendar.
Apple’s iOS 16 moves notifications and alerts to the bottom of the display, making them easier to tap and view with one hand. According to Apple, users can also view certain apps from the lock screen. With a new tool called Live Activity, users can watch what’s happening in real-time from the lock screen. Live activities let you track the progress of food delivery or use the Now Playing controls without having to unlock your device.
Focus Mode can be accessed on iOS 16 by swiping up from the lock screen on the lock screen. iOS 16 allows you to edit a sent message or even unsend a recent message altogether. You can also mark a message as unread if you can’t reply to it right away. Shared notes, presentations, reminders, Safari tab groups, and more are added to Messages for collaboration.
The iOS 16 update brings iCloud Shared Photo Library that allows users to share photos with up to five other users. It also allows users to select photos of specific people from the photo library or specific date range. Once the shared library is installed, users can also share photos directly from the camera.
The scheduling feature for email is coming to the Mail app on iOS 16. Additionally, users can cancel the sending of an email before it is delivered to the recipient’s inbox.
Passkey is a new way to sign in and will allow users to access apps and websites with Touch ID and Face ID. Apple is also providing a privacy layer to hidden and recently deleted albums. It forces users to access these albums using a passcode or biometrics. SharePlay, which lets you watch movies in sync with a friend, is also coming to Messages with iOS 16.
There’s a new way to dictate on iOS 16 with support for simultaneous voice and keyboard to enter and edit text. Automatic punctuation inserts commas, periods, emoji, and question marks as you give instructions.
Apple Wallet has expanded support for sharing keys and IDs, allowing users to share IDs for identity and age verification. The keys in the wallet can be shared using messages, mail and WhatsApp. Apple has made major improvements to its Maps app with 3D-like visuals and multistop navigation. It will also allow users to check public transport fares.
In iOS 16, the upgraded Visual Look Up feature lets users tap and hold to lift the subject of an image from the background or isolate the subject by removing the background and placing it in an app like Messages. This functionality works with Photos, Screenshots, Quick Look, and Safari. Similarly, iOS adds support for Haptic Keyboard functionality. With this update, iPhone users will feel a slight vibration powered by the Taptic Engine when they press a key on the virtual keyboard.
In addition, the iOS 16 update brings a slew of new features including Apple Pay Later, parental controls, health features, and more.
Apple’s iPadOS 16 for tablets will be released in October.
