Apple announced iOS 16 at it’s Worldwide Developers Conference ( WWDC ) on June 6, 2022, as the successor to iOS 15. The first public beta was released on July 11, 2022. Apple is set to release iOS 16 this Monday, September 12, as a free update for the iPhone 8 and newer.
The new update comes with a couple new features ranging from having a customizable Lock Screen to the ability to temporarily edit or unsend iMessages. In this article we’ll cover some of the features that we think are worth checking out.
First, how to update to iOS 16 when released?
If you happen to own an iPhone 8 or newer, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update. After you update your iPhone to iOS 16, check out our list of useful features to try out below.
Customize the Lock Screen
This has to be one of the biggest highlights of iOS 16. For the first time, Apple users will be able to add smaller widgets with real-time data such as the weather forecast on the lock screen, and even change the font of the clock. You can also select a set of photos to shuffle on the Lock Screen throughout the day.
The new Lock Screen gallery has a range of Lock Screen options, including a new Weather wallpaper with live weather conditions and an Astronomy wallpaper that provides views of the Earth, Moon, and Solar System. iOS 16 also includes support for multiple Lock Screen designs, allowing you to switch between your favorites with a single swipe.
Use the Full-Screen Music Player on your lock screen
If you’ve used an iPhone long enough, you know this was a feature that was present on iOS 10 back in 2016. This feature was later removed, but Apple has reintroduced this feature with iOS 16.
Users be able to use the full-screen music player on the Lock Screen with a large album art and a color-matched wallpaper. If you happen to not like this feature, you can tap on the bottom of the display to minimize the music player and revert to your standard Lock Screen wallpaper.
Edit or Unsend an iMessage
iOS 16 introduces the ability to temporarily edit or unsend iMessages, as well as mark iMessage conversations as unread after opening them.
You will have 15 minutes after sending a message to either edit or unsend it in iMessage, with up to five edits allowed per message. The recipient won’t get a notification but will see that the message has been edited or recalled.
In order to edit or unsend a message, simply tap and hold on a bubble and select the appropriate option in the menu that appears. iMessages that have been edited are marked as “edited” below the message bubble. SMS messages (green bubbles) on the other hand cannot be edited or unsent.
Nintendo Joy-Cons support
iOS 16 adds support for Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons and Pro Bluetooth controllers. iPhones running iOS 16 can be used with either single left or right Joy-Cons, or both at once as a singular controller.
This feature adds to the iPhone’s existing compatibility with PS5 Dual Sense and Xbox Series X controllers since the release of iOS 14.5 last year.
Track an Apple Pay Order
Apple Pay on iOS 16 features new built-in order tracking information in the Wallet app for online orders completed via Apple Pay. The tracker provides an order’s estimated delivery date and indicates when a package is out for delivery.
Complete your Rings without an Apple Watch
Apple’s fitness app is now available on all iPhones running iOS 16 without the need for an Apple Watch. The app features a daily Activity ring that relies on the iPhone’s motion sensors to estimate a person’s calories burned and steps per day.
Apple announced that its Fitness+ service will be available for iPhone users without an Apple Watch later this year in the 21 countries where the service is available. Fitness+ is priced at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
