The Best New Features in IOS 16 and IPadOS 16

Posted on June 6, 2022 by resourcefulman

We finally got our first look at iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, the latest software updates for iPhone and iPad. There are some revolutions here, such as a completely revamped lock screen on the iPhone and macOS window management on the iPad, coupled with small useful changes like the ability to edit and undo messages (thank god). Here’s our list of the best new iOS and iPadOS features, big and small.

New lock screen (iOS 16)

In my opinion, the biggest change you’ll see on your iPhone is the new customizable lock screen. Now you can change the lock screen color and font to match both your personal style and the style of the wallpaper you choose. Speaking of wallpapers, there’s a new wallpaper gallery that offers plenty of wallpaper options as well as customization options. Photo Depth Effect separates lock screen text from your wallpaper, while Photo Shuffle shuffles photos throughout the day. There are pre-installed options such as a weather wallpaper that displays live weather conditions on your lock screen, as well as an astronomy collection that includes animated space themes.

My favorite change here is the addition of widgets and complications. Widgets introduced by Apple in iOS 14 are available on your lock screen, just like extensions like the Apple Watch: they’re like tiny widgets that give you useful information about your favorite apps and metrics without taking up much space. The Now Playing widget can now also take up the entire lock screen.

Customizing the lock screen is very easy: just press and hold the screen to launch the customizer. You’ll also find a widget gallery that lets you choose from options such as calendar, temperature, activity, battery, and more.

Notifications (iOS 16)

Another big change has been made to notifications: they are now at the bottom of the lock screen! This change makes it easier to manage notifications and also makes it easier to interact when using larger iPhones with one hand. You can also quickly hide all notifications in the collapsed text box at the bottom of the screen.

One of my favorite new iOS 16 features is Live Actions: Instead of getting a ton of real-time notifications from the same app, you can now see updates in a widget. For example, instead of getting live updates for a sports game, you might see live updates in a widget, including scores and elapsed time.

Focus

After setting up all these new lock screens, you don’t have to switch between them manually. Lock screens can now be linked to specific focuses on iPhone, so your wallpapers and widgets can be customized accordingly. For example, when you are in work focus, you might have a specific lock screen focused on work widgets and notifications, as well as professional wallpapers; switching to your personal focus might change the wallpaper to something funny or a personal photo with widgets of personal apps you care about.

There are also focus filters for iPhone and iPad. With these filters, certain app data is automatically hidden to, ahem, focus. While working, the Focus tabs in Safari show only the work tabs — same with Messages, Mail, and Calendar.

CarPlay (iOS 16)

Today’s CarPlay update may have been one of the coolest software announcements Apple has ever made. And we won’t be able to see it in action for a long time. bummer.

Here’s the thing: Apple is working with automakers to develop what they call “next-generation” CarPlay. It seems to mean screens. Lots of screens. Automakers are placing screens all over the interior of their vehicles, including behind the wheels, which are completely transformed when CarPlay is on. Of course, the main information screen will display your normal CarPlay information, but the other screens will display vehicle-specific information: while driving, you can adjust the speedometer, tachometer, overlay map data and fuel consumption, as well as iOS widgets such as Calendar, Weather , clock, home and more. By customization, I mean customize by giving these data points whatever style you want. You can even control your car with CarPlay, like control the temperature or tune the radio.

Obviously “next generation” CarPlay must be built into every car it’s built for, so you won’t be able to use most (or some) of these features on your current CarPlay setup. Apple says the first announcements of cars with built-in features will come late next year, so while it’s technically an iOS 16 feature, it’s a bit of a tease.

Messages

Finally . Now you can edit and undo messages on iPhone and iPad. We have already seen this feature in many chat apps, but better late than never. Plus, you can mark messages as unread, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to reply to a message after opening it.

shareplay

When you open a FaceTime call with this new update, you can now see all available SharePlay apps, so you know all the options you can share with friends and family. SharePlay is also now available in Messages, so you don’t have to be on a video call to watch movies together.

Later this year, you’ll also be able to play games with friends through Game Center with SharePlay.

Dictation

When you are currently using Dictation to enter text by voice, the keyboard disappears. However, in iOS and iPadOS 16, you can use dictation while still having access to a keyboard. This allows you to quickly edit or type what dictation is having trouble with without leaving dictation mode. You can also highlight text and replace it with your own voice. Dictation even automatically adds punctuation to long messages.

Living text

Live Text is a great feature that allows you to select text from photos. You can now pause your video to select text from individual frames. The Translator app now also has a camera view that allows you to select and translate text in the real world without leaving the app.

There’s also a new feature that lets you touch and hold an object in an image to instantly cut and copy it. Seriously. Tap and hold on your dog’s photo and your device will cut it out of the photo and let you drag it to another app. Apple showed off the feature so casually, but it’s going to go viral on TikTok when iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 are released in the fall.

Wallet

Apple’s digital ID, which works with two states, will soon work with iOS apps too. Consider an app like Drizzly that can ask you to verify your age with an ID. With this feature, you don’t have to show your driver’s license to anyone – just scan your Face ID to have the app confirm that you’re of legal age.

iOS 16 will also expand digital key sharing in messaging apps like Mail and WhatsApp, making it easier to give trusted contacts access to your car or door at home.

Apple is also introducing Apple Pay Later for iPhone and iPad, which splits costs into four equal payments over 6 weeks with no interest or fees. This feature is available wherever Apple Pay is available, allowing you to split payments into just about anything. You’ll also find order tracking and receipt details in the new Wallet update.

Cards

The updated Apple Map is coming to 11 new countries (it’s already available in the US). However, the company is adding Las Vegas and six new cities to its new “map view,” which offers a detailed Apple Maps-style 3D view of the city.

What might be more useful, however, is multi-stop routing, which allows up to 15 stops to be scheduled in advance. You can even plan those stops on your iPad or Mac and then send directions to your iPhone. You can also ask Siri to add new stops to your route while driving.

For transit passengers, you will be able to view fares, add transit cards, and reload cards from the app (when available, of course).

Sports

Apple also took the time to announce the Sports update on Apple News. It’s called “My Sports” and contains results, schedules, standings and highlights from your favorite teams and games. This information syncs across devices, so you’ll find it in the News app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

A photo

Apple wants you and your family to have access to all the photos you all want to see: for example, at family events, you probably have photos taken on your iPhone while other family members have other photos. You all want to see all these photos, but if you’re not very coordinated, you’ll probably miss out on some great shots.

Apple’s solution is iCloud Photo Shared Library. This new feature is an intelligent shared photo library that allows you to connect with up to five other people. You can share everything in your photo library (yes) or choose what to include based on start date or even specific people. You can manually move photos to the library, or select “Shared Library” in the camera settings to add new photos automatically. You’ll also have the option to add photos via location: if you’re spending time with family members, your iPhone will know about it and add your photos and videos to the shared library.

There are other fun photo updates as well. You can copy edits from one photo and paste them onto another, and lock Hidden and Recently Deleted albums for added privacy.

Confidentiality

Apple is all about its privacy features and this year is no different. The company is introducing Personal Safety, an easy way to disable contacts and apps from accessing certain parts of your iPhone. If you need to stop sharing your location with a contact because you just don’t want to or for security reasons, this feature makes it easy for you to unlink. You can also reset permissions for all apps, so they have to request access to everything from camera usage to location information.

This feature also lets you sign out of iCloud on all devices and restricts FaceTime calls to the one device you want to use. This is your one stop shop for all your permissions.

House

In the Home segment, Apple touted Matter, the new smart home standard it helped develop with the goal of making all smart devices work well together. Currently, over 130 products support Matter, so we hope this new standard will make building a smart home easier.

In addition, the Home app is brand new and should be designed to be easier to use. The categories at the top of the screen show all relevant accessories and status information. You will also find new widgets on the lock screen.

Personalized spatial audio

Spatial Audio lets music and movies sound like they’re around you. While the effect has been the same for everyone so far, with the new update, you can use the True Depth Camera to create personalized spatial audio based on your actual surroundings.

Mail

Mail, like Messages, is getting some overdue quality of life features like unsend, scheduled send, and reminder. These features have long been available in other email apps and services, but again, better late than never.

Safari

Apple is introducing Shared Safari Tabs with new software updates. You will now be able to assign a group of tabs to share them with others. If you choose to collaborate with these tabs, you will be able to see who is viewing which tab.

Access keys

Apple has clarified the details a bit, but in short, they are releasing a new version of passwords called Passkeys. Access keys, unlike passwords, cannot be forged or stolen – you also do not need to remember anything. When setting up a password, you can use Touch ID or Face ID to authenticate yourself, and you will do this every time you log in in the future. That’s all. Anytime you’re not using a trusted Apple device, you can sign in to your account using a QR code.

Like I said, highlight the details. It’s not clear exactly how access keys work or how many accounts support this method. But, according to Apple’s marketing, this is a cool development.

video calls

Let’s talk over FaceTime. Apple now lets you forward a FaceTime call to other devices. For example, if you receive a call on your iPhone but want to continue it on your Mac, you can quickly switch between devices.

Speaking of which, you can now use your iPhone as your Mac’s webcam in a feature called Continuity Camera. If you have a stand for your iPhone that plugs into the top of your Mac, you can automatically use your iPhone’s camera as a webcam for video calls on your computer. Because it uses your iPhone’s ultra-wide camera, you’ll be able to use Center Stage even if your particular Mac doesn’t support the feature with its own webcam.

There’s also something called “Desk View” that takes an ultra-wide-angle camera and shows you a bird’s eye view of your desk while focusing on your face. If this feature works as well as it did in the demo, it could be a game changer.

Cooperation

You can now start collaborating from a shared sheet, making it easier to navigate to a shared document or Safari tabs. The new collaboration icon that appears in the app also allows you to quickly chat or call collaborators.

Speaking of collaboration, Apple teased a new feature called Freeform, which is essentially a shared digital whiteboard. Dynamic cursors show where others are working, so you can quickly navigate to their point in Freeform for collaboration. It looks like this will happen after the official launch of iOS 16 and iPadOS 16.

Brief note

Apple is adding Quick Note to iOS. With it, you can quickly launch a note associated with a specific application on your device. Previously, this feature was only available on iPad and Mac.

family exchange

Apple is trying to simplify Family Sharing, including a new way to set age limits, quick parental controls, and a new ability to set up a child’s new iPhone. You’ll also be able to respond to screen time requests directly in Messages instead of in the Settings app.

You’ll also find a new feature called “Family Checklist” that gives you tips to improve family sharing. These tips include updating your child’s settings as they grow up, as well as enabling location sharing.

Reminders

Reminders also got some new features this year. You can make templates if you often create such lists; you can pin lists; “Today” and “Scheduled” are now sorted by time and date; and you can see all completed reminders in the completed list, including the time you completed them.

Rapid security response

Apple didn’t really highlight this feature during the presentation, but I think it’s a great development. Quick Security Response will allow you to install critical security updates that pop up for iPhone without waiting for the next major software update. I often talk about security vulnerabilities, so I hope this feature comes in handy the next time a major exploit is discovered between updates.

Other fun features

The Fitness app is now available for all iPhone users! Some metrics can be tracked without an Apple Watch.
Spotlight search is now at the bottom of your iPhone.
You can end a call with Siri on your iPhone or iPad. (“Hey Siri, hang up.”)
Siri can send a message to an iPhone or iPad without prior confirmation (a risky bet if you ask me).
New note settings, including hats, noses, hairstyles, and sticker options.

iPadOS 16

Let’s take a look at some specific iPadOS changes this year. Right out of the door, your iPad comes with the official Apple Weather app. It may have taken 12 years, but say it with me , better late than never.

However, this year the focus is on professional features. We get a real experience of undoing and redoing actions in applications including Files, Photos and Calendar; we now have customizable toolbars for quick access to important features; a single search field in applications; context menus with multiple selections, allowing you to apply changes to several elements at the same time; new toolbar buttons; updated context menus with actions such as close, save and duplicate; an updated find and replace feature that’s more Mac-like; copy or drag contacts to Mail; hover text; and the ability to sort contacts into lists.

However, not all iPads support all “professional” features:

M1 only ipads

Apple has developed some features specific to the iPad M1 that use the same Apple silicon chip as the Mac. If you only need to know about one of these features, it’s Stage Manager, the same window management tool that Apple developed for macOS Ventura. With it, you can now resize open application windows, with previously open windows minimized as a preview to the left of the screen when you need them. Best of all, you can now work with overlapping windows, which makes the iPad feel more like a computer. When you connect your iPad to an external display, there’s even more room, so much so that you might mistake iPadOS for macOS. Up to eight applications can be running between the two screens at the same time.

Another cool M1-exclusive feature is Virtual Memory Sharing: iPadOS will use some of your iPad’s storage as virtual memory, boosting RAM up to 16GB for the most resource-hungry apps. I don’t want to get my hopes up, but it looks like Apple is setting the stage for apps like Final Cut Pro coming to the iPad in the near future, but we’ve been burned on that front before.

You can increase the pixel density of your M1 iPad for the first time, giving you more screen real estate. This step is perfect for split view so you can see more of each app at the same time. You can also use the iPad Pro’s 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR display as your video color reference.

Device compatibility with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16

Unfortunately, in iOS 16, Apple ended support for several older iPhones for the first time in a long time. Not only iPhone 6S, 6S Plus and SE (first generation) are incompatible, but also iPhone 7 and 7 Plus. If you have one of these iPhones, it will unfortunately remain on iOS 15. Otherwise, here is a list of iPhones that can be updated:

iphone 13
iphone 13 mini
iphone 13 pro
iPhone 13 Pro Max
iPhone SE (third generation)
iphone 12
iphone 12 mini
iphone 12 pro
iPhone 12 Pro Max
iphone 11
iPhone 11 Pro
iPhone 11 Pro Max
iPhone SE (second generation)
iphone xs
iphone xs max
iPhone xp
iphone x
iphone 8
iphone 8 plus

From the iPad side, the list looks shorter, but only because Apple knows how to neatly sort its tablets by “generation”:

iPad Pro (all models)
iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
iPad (5th generation and later)
iPad mini (5th generation and later)

More…

Apple