The Best Secret Features of IOS 9
iOS 9 is here , and as with most iOS releases, sometimes the best features are the ones hidden away. So, while the new Notes app, News and other obvious improvements are great, let’s take a look at some of the lesser known things.
Disconnect from Bluetooth devices easily
Now you can disconnect from a Bluetooth device without completely forgetting about the device and without disconnecting Bluetooth. Just go to Settings> Bluetooth, tap the i next to your device, and tap Disconnect.
Customize the color and font in Safari Reading View
Reader, a lightweight article viewer built into Safari, is a great way to read an article without the ads, buttons, or other junk a mobile site throws at you. In iOS 9, you can customize its appearance. Download an article in Safari, tap the Reader icon, and then tap the font icon in the address bar for options to change color, font size, font, and more.
Add the iCloud Drive app to your home screen
IOS 9 finally has an easy way to view iCloud files in directory format. Oddly enough, it is hidden by default. To enable the iCloud Drive app, go to Settings> iCloud> iCloud Drive and select the Show on Home Screen checkbox.
Quick selection of multiple photos
Want to quickly delete (or hide, or restore, or move) photos from your library? Open Photos, tap Select, then press and hold while sliding your finger across multiple photos to select multiple photos at once.
Saving and Sending Voicemail to Other Applications
Voicemail is now getting a share sheet, which means you can save and send voice messages to other apps (or people) via Messages, Mail, and more (thanks to bmbufalo for pointing this out ).
Connecting headphones gives you quick access to your most used music app from the lock screen
Apple demonstrated this on stage during their keynote, but it’s one of those features that doesn’t make sense until you use it. When you plug in your headphones or plug your phone into your stereo, iOS automatically downloads the last thing you listened to. This seems to work for all audio apps without exception, not just the default Apple apps. It also seems to know which headphones you’re using for what, as my iPhone’s plugging into the car brought up podcasts, even though Spotify played the music last (although it could have done so by location as well).
Wi-Fi Assist automatically switches between Wi-Fi and cellular data
Live in a home or work in an office with unreliable Wi-Fi? You can now enable a setting whereby your iPhone will automatically switch to cellular when the Wi-Fi connection sucks. Go to Settings> Cellular, scroll to the bottom of Wi-Fi Assistant and make sure it’s turned on.
Quick access to flight information
You can now quickly view the flight information that you receive in messages, email, in the Notes app, or anywhere else. When you get a flight number, iOS will detect it and highlight it. Tap the underlined link, tap Flight Preview and you will see the latest flight information.
Apple Maps will redirect you when traffic changes
Apple Maps has had many problems over the years, and one of the biggest is that it doesn’t change routes when traffic conditions change. Finally it happened. When you are driving, you will receive a notification that a faster route is available. Click the “Go” button to take it.
Your emails have cross-references to unknown numbers
iOS 9 now rummages through your email to find phone numbers. When someone calls you from an unknown number, the program will search your email to see if anyone has added it to their signature. If so, it will be visible when they try to call you.
Install updates later
If you don’t have time to install an iOS update right now, you can tell your phone to do it later. After downloading, you will be asked if you want to install it later. The update will try to install between 2:00 am and 4:00 am.