Apple unveiled iOS 16 at WWDC 2022 in June – the latest iPhone operating system and successor to iOS 15, but the September 12 release date was confirmed at Apple’s “Far Out” event on September 7.
This is the version that brings improvements to many apps, from the redesigned Home app for smart devices to better privacy features and a lot of emphasis on the lock screen, with new fonts, colors, and themes to choose from.
Satellite connections will also be available on iPhone 14 models, a feature available in November.
The public beta launched on July 11, and the completed version will arrive the same week as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, for iPhone 8 and newer devices.
iOS 16: the cut to the chase
- What is this? Another big update for iOS
- When will it appear? September 12
- How much is it? It’s free
- What phones are supported? Anyone with an iPhone 8 or later will be able to update to iOS 16, which means if you have an iPhone 7 or earlier, you’re out of luck.
The latest iOS 16 updates
September 7: Apple’s “Far Out” event confirmed that iOS 16 will arrive on September 12, along with the iPhone 14 series and more.
July 11: The public beta version is available for download by anyone with an iPhone 8 or later.
June 14: Will lossless audio show up on AirPods Pro 2? The tech basics should be in iOS 16, and so far no one has come across any evidence of it.
June 13: In an exclusive interview with TechRadar, Apple’s Craig Federighi and Vice President of Design Alan Dye take us to the Apple Lock Screen remake – “the act of love,” Federighi said.
11 June: iOS 16 will be a bumper release this time around, with many feature enhancements across the entire operating system, on a scale arguably unheard of since iOS 8. Here are the top 7 new features in iOS 16.
June 7: Support for the Nintendo Switch Pro and Joy-Cons controller was discovered in the latest iOS 16 developer beta. Public beta is coming soon, so you can try Nintendo controllers on your iPhone soon.
More latest iOS 16 tidbits ▼
June 7: Which phones support iOS 16? TechRadar has a complete list of phones compatible with the new operating system.
June 7: iOS 16 will bring fundamental changes to the Messages app. Editing and deleting messages after they have been sent is now a thing – which means autocorrect is now dead.
May 30: As we get closer to WWDC, rumors suggest that iOS 16 will get some significant new features, including iPhone lock screen improvements. This could be the most radical iPhone update in years.
15th of May: Increasingly, it seems that iOS 16 will feature new apps and major changes, with the latest leak pointing to new ways to interact with widgets and even some new Apple apps.
IOS 16 release date
Apple confirmed on its “Far Out” on September 7, where it announced iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and AirPods Pro 2 that iOS 16 will arrive on iPhone 8 and later on September 12.
IOS 16 features
There are many new and improved features in iOS 16, the most important of which are outlined below.
Customizable lock screens
In iOS 16, you can customize the lock screen by tapping any area to change the font and colors of the text.
Complications (which are essentially widgets) can also be turned on here, a feature ported from Apple Watch. You’ll be able to add three of them to your lock screen while the Now Playing screen swipes down to make it easier to access with your thumb.
You won’t be limited to one lock screen either. Similar to creating a watch face on your Apple Watch, you can swipe between different lock screens to access different widgets based on your needs.
Focus
Focus mode is also receiving some updates, some of which are related to the lock screen as the displayed lock screen can automatically switch depending on the Focus profile you have.
For example, the “Meeting” focus profile can make the lock screen change wallpaper and offer a row of widgets showing the details of that event.
You can also use “Focus Filters” to block tabs in Safari, Mail accounts, Calendar events, and more to help you manage your workflow.
Notifications
Notifications also receive improvements, thanks to “Live Activities”, which are essentially pinned notifications similar to widgets that let you check your game score, track your food delivery progress, and more.
Notifications also have a new look to visually highlight them, and include new animations – winding from the bottom of the lock screen, making them easy to see at a glance without being disturbed.
You can also choose to display notifications in an expanded list view, stacked view, or hidden view.
Messages
Apple has added some new features to Messages. In one case, “Undo Send” came in, which allows you to delete the message up to 15 minutes after it was sent – for example, if you realize you’ve sent it to the wrong person. Likewise, you can edit messages in the first 15 minutes. Note, however, that this only works for iPhone to iPhone messages.
SharePlay also appears in the app, so you can, for example, play a movie on Disney Plus and share it with someone via Messages.
The dictation feature has also been improved as it now allows users to move smoothly between the voice and touch inputs, so they can type to add text or move the cursor without having to stop the dictation feature.
You can also recover messages up to 30 days after they’re deleted, send a collaborative invitation to collaborate on a project in Messages, and receive alerts when someone collaborates with you.
Availability
Apple said in May that several new accessibility features will arrive in iOS 16, such as door detection, which helps you locate doors, read signs around them, and get instructions to open them.
There’s also the option to show live captions while on a FaceTime call, control your Apple Watch from your iPhone, disconnect phone calls with Siri, and more.
Live text has also been improved – you can copy and paste text into video as well as copy and translate text.
Wallet
Privacy enhancements have been made to the Wallet, and in-app ID verification is enabled for third-party apps.
The Tap to Pay feature on iPhone also appears on iOS 16, eliminating the need for any point-of-sale terminals. Additionally, you can view confirmations and track orders directly from the Wallet app.
There’s also Apple Pay Later, which breaks down purchases into four interest-free payments spread over six weeks, and Order Tracking, which lets you see the latest information on Apple Pay orders.
Maps
After all, maps will let you store your recent journeys in the app and you can send them from your Mac or iPad.
You can also add multiple stops along the route, and while on the road you can ask Siri to add another destination, hands-free, in case another task comes up while Apple Street View is open to others’ apps companies.
Additionally, you can see fares and – without leaving Maps – add transit cards to your Wallet, top up your card and see low balances.
Sports
IOS 16 sees a lot of emphasis on sports, and Apple News gets a new My Sports section where you can view the schedules, tables and results of your favorite teams.
Live updates from sports events can also be added to your lock screen, so if you can’t tune in, you’ll still be up to date with the results.
Family sharing
Apple’s Family Sharing feature allows you and your family to share your account, for example to view photos and videos, and allows parents to approve purchases made by minors.
In iOS 16, it will be easier for parents to set age-appropriate content restrictions, and parents or guardians will be able to respond to Screen Time requests in Messages.
The iPad quick start feature will allow you to sync your iPhone settings to your iPad simply by bringing your phone closer to the tablet, and the Family Checklist feature which makes sure all content on your iPhone is safe and safe for children.
ICloud sharing photos and videos has been widely asked, and the shared iCloud Photo Library will allow you to share your library with up to six people. Users will be able to upload photos to the Shared Library using the new toggle in the Camera app and receive smart photo sharing suggestions that include other users of the Shared Library.
Security check
New privacy tool called Security checks have been put in place to help people who are exposed to violence or harassment by their partners.
Users can quickly revoke all access to Messages and other accounts granted to a partner, and the emergency reset feature helps users easily sign out of iCloud on all other devices, reset privacy permissions, and restrict messaging only to the device in their hand. Users can also stop sharing their location with this tool.
It also allows you to generally check and manage the people and applications you have given access to your information.
The Home app has been redesigned
In conjunction with the upcoming new Matter smart home standard, the Home app will be redesigned to facilitate the management of smart devices and rooms.
You’ll be able to see all your rooms in one view, complete with categories for lighting, climate, security, and more. You can touch a category to view more detailed status information and view up to four security cameras simultaneously.
You can also add smart home widgets to your lock screen, so you can quickly check the condition of your home and get quick access to smart home control features.
Surround sound
You can use your iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to create a personal surround sound profile for your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max headphones for what Apple calls “even more precise and immersive audio.”
Fitness
Apple’s Fitness app is available to all iPhone users, even if they don’t have an Apple Watch to help them track their fitness. The app will use your iPhone’s motion sensors, step and distance tracking, and workouts from third-party apps to help you reach your daily Move goal and estimate your calorie consumption.