Apple unveiled iOS 16 at WWDC 2022 back in June — the latest operating system for iPhone and successor to iOS 15, but the September 12 release date was confirmed at Apple’s ‘Far Out’ event on September 7.
It’s a release that brings improvements to many apps, from a redesigned Home app for your smart devices to better privacy features, and a bigger focus on the lock screen, with new fonts, colors, and themes to choose from.
There is also satellite connectivity coming to the iPhone 14 models, a feature coming in November.
The public beta hit July 11, with the final version arriving the same week as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, for iPhone 8 and up.
iOS 16.1 also arrived on October 24, bringing live activities and a battery percentage option to any iPhone with FaceID, with iOS 16.2 introducing Freeform and better data protection features. iOS 16.3 arrived in January 2023 and basically brings advanced data protection to iPhones where you can encrypt iCloud backups and more.
iOS 16: Cut to the chase
- What is this? The next big update for iOS
- When does it come out? out now
- How much does it cost? 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
January 23 iOS 16.3 is out, with advanced data protection, security keys, new wallpapers, and HomePod 2 support.
December 13 – iOS 16.2 is released, bringing Freeform and security features.
Oct. 24 – iOS 16.1 is out, with improvements and live activities.
September 12th iOS 16 is available to anyone with an iPhone 8 and above.
Sept. 7: Apple’s ‘Far Out’ event confirmed the arrival of iOS 16 on September 12th, along with the iPhone 14 series and more.
July 11th: The public beta is available for download to anyone with an iPhone 8 and above.
June 14: Will lossless audio come to AirPods Pro 2? The tech core must have worked in iOS 16, and so far, no one has found any evidence of that.
June 13: In an exclusive interview with TechRadar, Apple’s Craig Federighi and Vice President of Design Alan Dye took us inside Apple’s new version of the lock screen — “an act of love,” Federighi said.
June 11: iOS 16 will be a fun release this time around, with many feature improvements across the operating system, on a scale arguably not seen since iOS 8. Here are the 7 best new features in iOS 16.
June 7: Nintendo Switch Pro controller support and Joy-Cons were spotted in the latest iOS 16 developer beta. With a public beta just around the corner, you can soon experience Nintendo controllers on your iPhone for yourself.
More of the latest iOS 16 news ▼
June 7: What phones support iOS 16? TechRadar has a complete list of phones compatible with the new operating system.
June 7: iOS 16 will bring major changes to the Messages app. Editing and deleting messages after they’ve been sent is a thing – that means autocorrect is now gone.
May 30: As we get closer to WWDC, rumors suggest that iOS 16 will be getting some significant new features, including improvements to your iPhone’s lock screen. It could be the most drastic iPhone update in years.
May 15: It increasingly looks like iOS 16 will include new apps and big 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 at its “Far Out” exhibition on September 7, where it announced the iPhone 14, Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch Ultra, and AirPods Pro 2, that iOS 16 will reach iPhones 8 and above on September 12, which is what I did.
iOS 16 features
There are all kinds of new and improved features coming with iOS 16, and we’ve broken down the main ones below.
Customizable lock screens
With iOS 16, you will be able to customize your lock screen by tapping in any area to change the text font and colors.
Complications (which are essentially widgets) can also be enabled here, which is a feature lifted from the Apple Watch. You’ll be able to add three of them to your lock screen, while the playback screen is now moved towards the bottom for easier access with your thumb.
You will not be limited to just one lock screen. Similar to creating a watch face on the Apple Watch, you can swipe between different lock screens, so you can access different widgets based on your needs.
to focus
Focus mode is also getting some updates, some of which are related to the lock screen, where the lock screen that appears automatically can be toggled based on which focus profile you have.
For example, the “Meeting” focus profile can make your lock screen change the wallpaper and offer a row of widgets detailing that event.
You can also use Focus Filters to block tabs in Safari, accounts in Mail, events in Calendar, and more, to help you manage your workflow. We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how to set up Do Not Disturb and Focus mode to help you get started.
notices
Notifications are also getting improvements, with Live Activities, which are basically sticky notifications that are like widgets that let you check a game score, track food delivery progress, and more.
Notifications also have a new design, intended to make them pop up visually, and feature a new animation – rolling in from the bottom of the lock screen so it’s easier to see at a glance while out of the way.
And you can choose to display notifications in an expanded list view, a stacked view, or a hidden view.
Messages
Apple has added several new features to Messages. I got Undo Send for one, which allows you to delete a message up to 15 minutes after it’s been sent — say if you realize you sent it to the wrong person. Similarly, you can also edit messages in the first 15 minutes. Note that this only works for iPhone to iPhone messages.
SharePlay is also coming to the app, so you can play a movie on Disney Plus for example, and share it with someone via Messages.
Dictation has also been improved, now allowing users to seamlessly switch between voice and touch inputs, so you can type to add text or move the cursor without having to stop Dictation.
You can also retrieve messages up to 30 days after they’re deleted, send an invitation to collaborate on a project in Messages, and get alerts when someone makes an edit in a collaboration.
Accessibility
Apple indicated in May that several new accessibility features are heading to iOS 16, such as door detection, which helps you locate doors, read signs around them, and get instructions to open them.
There’s also an option to view live captions on a FaceTime call, control your Apple Watch from your iPhone, hold phone calls with Siri, and more.
Live text is seeing improvements, too — you can copy and paste text into the video, along with the ability to copy and translate text.
wallet
Wallet sees privacy improvements, with App ID verification enabled for third-party apps.
Tap to pay on iPhone also arrives for iOS 16, eliminating the need for any point of sale. In addition, you can view receipts and track orders directly from Wallet.
There’s also Apple Pay Later, which breaks down purchases into four interest-free payments spread out over six weeks, and Order Tracking, which lets you see the latest information about your Apple Pay orders.
maps
Maps will finally enable you to store recent trips in the app, and you can submit them from your Mac or iPad.
You can also add multiple stops on a route, and during the trip, you can ask Siri to add another destination, hands-free, if another task arises, while the “Look Around” feature, which Apple is taking on Google Street View, is turned on to open Third party applications.
Plus, you can see transit rates, and—without leaving Maps—you can add transit cards to Wallet, replenish your card, and see low balances.
sports
iOS 16 sees a big push on sports, with Apple News getting a new My Sports section that lets you view schedules, standings, and scores for your favorite teams.
Live updates of sporting events can also be added to the lock screen, so if you can’t adjust it, you’ll still be up to date on the score.
family involvement
Apple’s Family Sharing feature enables you and your family to share an account, for example to view photos and videos, so parents can approve purchases made by minors.
In iOS 16, it will be easy for parents to set age-appropriate restrictions on content, 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 the settings you configure on your iPhone to your iPad simply by moving your phone close to the tablet, and there’s even a Family Checklist feature, making it easy for you to be confident that all the content on your iPhone is safe. And suitable for children.
The ability to share photos and videos via iCloud has been widely requested, and iCloud Shared Photo Library will allow up to six people to share a library. Users will be able to send photos to the shared library with a new toggle in the Camera app, and will receive smart suggestions for sharing photos that include other users of a shared library.
Security check
New privacy a tool named The Safety Check was introduced to help people at risk of partner violence or harassment.
Users can quickly revoke access to messages and other accounts they’ve given their partner, and an emergency reset feature helps users easily sign out of iCloud on all their other devices, reset privacy permissions, and limit messaging to just the device in their hands. Users can also stop sharing their location using this tool.
It also generally allows you to check and manage the people and apps you’ve given access to your information.
Redesigned home app
In conjunction with Matter’s upcoming new smart home standard, the Home app is being redesigned to make it easier to manage your smart devices and rooms.
You’ll be able to see all of your rooms in one view, along with categories for lights, climate, security, and more. You can click on a category to see more detailed status information, and view up to four security cameras at once.
You can also add smart home widgets to the lock screen, allowing you to view the status of your home at a glance, and quickly access smart home controls.
spatial sound
You can use your iPhone’s TrueDepth camera to create a personal spatial audio profile for your AirPods Pro or AirPods Max, for what Apple calls “a more accurate and immersive listening experience.”
fitness
Apple’s Fitness app is now 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 along with step and distance tracking, and workouts from third-party apps, to help you achieve your daily movement goal and estimate your calorie burn.