Apple has announced iOS 16 for the iPhone at WWDC 2022. As usual, this update is free, and the release is expected in late September (2022). The update is full of settings that will hopefully change the way you use your iPhone for the better.
More dynamic screen lock
It’s been a long time since Apple did anything significant on the lock screen, but that’s changing with iOS 16. The update will allow you to customize lock screen colors, fonts, and even set and rearrange widgets. In iOS 16, the locked screen looks more like the face of Apple Watch than a traditional static screen.
Apple will even include a lock screen gallery featuring designs for inspiration or download. Like the face of Apple Watch, you can switch between different lock screens by touching and holding and then swiping. In addition to fonts, a new multi-layer photo effect and suggested photos will be suggested, or a set of photos will be selected that will automatically blend during the day. You can even apply styles so that the photos match the style of your choice in a complementary way.
Widgets are a bit like complications on Watch face and include information such as rings for clock activities, weather conditions, world clock, battery levels for accessories such as AirPods, alarms you set and more. There is even a WidgetKit API that third-party applications will be able to use to place information on the lock screen.
The new Live Activities feature uploads what is actually a notification that is updated to the lock screen. This allows you to follow live events such as sports games or training by simply booting up the device, along with an API that developers can use. Notifications generally get a slight boost with bold text and better images, and the Now Playing screen gets a full-screen mode that makes better use of album covers.
Finally, you can also change the way notifications are displayed on the lock screen. Not only are there new animations for a visually more comfortable lock screen, but you can also choose from a list view, a crowd view and a countdown view, and change the context as you go. All of these features make it more interesting to interact with your iPhone without going to the home screen.
Stronger focus function
Focus allows you to remove distractions by quietly delivering notifications, silencing apps that distract you, and letting your contacts know that you have delayed notifications in apps like Messaging. iOS 16 extends the feature set by linking your lock screen to your focus, allowing you to display specific lock screens (including designs, widgets, and styles) when certain focus modes are enabled.
This feature is transferred to the home screen, allowing you to hide certain applications or use certain widgets that are useful for any focus mode you set. Focus filters allow you to set “borders” within applications such as Safari and Calendar, which will automatically call certain groups of cards or hide certain calendars depending on what you are doing.
Third-party developers are gaining access to the new Focus Filter API, allowing them to incorporate some of these more complex features into their applications. You can also schedule ways to focus in iOS 16, which allows you to do things like enable focus at work between specific hours or when you’re in a specific location.
New messaging features
IOS 16 users will be able to edit or cancel sending messages (within 15 minutes of sending) and recover deleted messages (within 30 days of deletion) when talking to other Apple users via the iMessage platform. You can also mark any message (including SMS) as unread, which is long overdue.
Apple is also extending its SharePlay feature to messaging, allowing you to send invitations for synchronized activities such as watching movies, practicing or listening to music. You can also send invitations to collaborate on projects such as Pages or Apple Notes with groups of people chatting in Messages, with collaboration updates automatically posted to the group.
Passwords replace (some) passwords
Access keys are an exciting step towards a password-free future. Apple is introducing this feature with iOS 16 after a short period of beta testing. The technology uses biometric logins via Face ID and Touch ID to completely replace passwords using public and private key cryptography.
Unlike passwords, access keys are very resistant to phishing attacks and safe from website leaks because they are unique to your device. They sync via iCloud and provide an easy way to log in, without the need to remember a password or use a password manager. Apple has worked closely with Google and Microsoft to implement this feature.
A future without a password is just around the corner. Learn more about how this technology works.
Maps get multi-stop travel
With iOS 16, you can now add more stops to trips you make with Apple Maps, with the ability to plan these trips on your Mac and sync with your iPhone.
You can also view all public transport tickets you have added to your Wallet directly within the folders and top up if necessary. You will also know how much your trip will cost (of course in some areas) with transit ticket estimates for your trip.
Fitness app for all iPhone users
If you have an Apple Watch, you will no doubt be familiar with the Fitness app, which allows you to track workouts and see the progress of your activity ring. In iOS 16, this app will be available to everyone regardless of whether they have an Apple Watch or not, and Apple is expanding its fitness features to all sides.
Some nice updates for Safari
iOS 16 allows you to create pinned cards within groups of cards, and even share those groups of cards with other groups of people. You can have dedicated home pages depending on the group of cards you use, plus with the new Focus features the default card group could become even more important as they can change dynamically depending on what time it is or where you are.
Expect extensions to become more interesting with extended APIs for developers to play with, and those extensions will now sync between devices via iCloud. There is also the usual annual effort to bring more web technologies into Safari, improving Safari compatibility across the web and opening up more opportunities for developers.
Apple has also promised that web-based push notifications will be part of the introduction of iOS 16, but it won’t arrive until 2023. Aren’t you excited about receiving unsolicited notifications from sites you barely remember visiting? Relax, they will be involved.
iCloud shared photo library
Although you can already create shared albums with iOS 15 (and earlier versions), iOS 16 will allow you to share entire photo libraries with up to five members of your family. This will be a separate photo library where you can choose to share all your old photos or choose to share specific photos along with smart sharing suggestions to help you choose the right photos.
With a shared iCloud photo library, you’ll be able to get memories of events everyone contributed to. You may see the events you participated in, from a different perspective in pictures you didn’t take, for example.
Apple Mail enhancements
Mail gets some useful tools such as the ability to cancel sending messages (within 10 seconds of sending) and a mail scheduler to send mail later. Tracking allows you to move messages that you sent to the top of your inbox so you don’t forget them and you can track them later, while the “Remind Me” setting will reappear messages in your inbox later so they don’t bury over time.
Mail will also be a little more lenient when searching your inbox, with updates to search terms and smart search suggestions as you type. Mistakes like forgetting to include attachments should trigger a reminder to check your message before sending it, which is a common feature in other mail applications and services.
More smart home features
Apple has revised the Home app in iOS 16, with a new design that will make it easier to control all of your HomeKit devices than ever before. You’ll get a new home view, categories for devices (such as lights, speakers, TVs, and so on), up to four connected cameras on the main Home tab, and improvements under the hood that Apple claims will interact with HomeKit devices even faster.
You can also put new home screen widgets on the lock screen to interact with devices, or see a quick status update by simply booting your iPhone.
Apple is also introducing support for Matter (which comes in a later update), which is designed to allow connected devices (even those using different platforms, like Google or Amazon) to work better together.
Add health remedies
If you take medications (or supplements) regularly, the updated Health app for iOS 16 will allow you to better track your schedule, add medications using an iPhone camera, and get reminders to take those medications according to a customized schedule. You can also record when you have taken your medication and find out more about what you are taking (although you should always listen to your doctor first).
One thing that recording your medications can do is inform you of potentially dangerous drug interactions. You can also share health information with family members (or ask them to share their information) and adjust exactly what is shared.
Apple Pay later and Wallet
Apple Pay Later is a new buy-and-pay service later for select candidates in the United States that allows you to split your payment into four equal installments over six weeks, with the ability to track what you owe at Wallet. Works wherever Apple Pay is accepted.
You can also track regular Apple Pay transactions, displaying delivery information directly in Wallet at participating merchants.
The wallet also gets some useful new features, such as the ability to securely share keys for smart devices via messaging apps like Messages and WhatsApp, with the ability to revoke permissions when needed. You can also add ID cards with photos to Wallet and share them with apps that require authentication or age verification, although this won’t be available everywhere.
More features of iOS 16
This is just the tip of the iceberg, with hundreds of new features and settings made in iOS 16. Apple also promises the next generation CarPlay, a huge list of accessibility improvements, better app clips, Handoff for FaceTime calls and extended Hide my email feature, more Memoses of poses and styles, pinned lists in Reminders, and weather alerts.
Apple has announced iOS 16 at WWDC 2022, among other big news like the M2 chip, the new MacBook Air and the powerful new iPad multi-tasking features.
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