In June 2022, Apple previewed iOS 16, the next iteration of iPhone software. New to iOS 16 is configurable Lock Screens that can include widgets, message editing, and erasure, enhanced Focus modes, a family iCloud photo library, and big updates to apps like Mail, Home, and Wallet.
iOS 16 features a completely reimagined Lock Screen. The new Lock Screen layout allows for extensive personalization through the use of a plethora of widgets, typefaces, an image layering effect, and kinetic backgrounds. An individual’s Lock Screen can be associated with any one of several available Focus modes.
Now, notifications are less intrusive and instead roll up from the bottom of the screen. Live Activities allow users to monitor in-progress activities, such as a workout or a sporting event, in real-time from the Lock Screen. Easier setup, Focus filters, personalized Lock Screen and Apple Watch face linking, and additional configuration choices are just a few of the ways that Focus modes have been enhanced.
Major changes to the Messages app include the option to delete or resend messages, flag messages as unread, and initiate a SharePlay session. A brand-new Freeform software allows users to collaborate on a digital whiteboard and users can now easily transfer ongoing FaceTime chats to other devices.
New options have been added to the Mail app, such as the ability to schedule emails, cancel delivery, and get reminders if you forget to check your inbox.
A new Medications section has been added to the Health app, and those without an Apple Watch can now utilize the Fitness app. Along with the addition of passkeys and Shared Tab Groups to Safari, the Home app has also undergone a complete makeover and re-engineering.
The Notes and Reminders app now has sorting options, the Maps app now supports multi-stop routing, and the News app now has sports-specific capabilities. In addition to enhancing picture editing, albums, and Memories, iCloud Shared Photo Library makes it easy to make a photo collection accessible to family members.
