Apple is set to release iOS 16 as a free update for iPhone 8 and newer models this Monday, September 12. iOS 16 includes many new features, from a customizable Lock Screen to the ability to temporarily edit or refuse to send iMessages.
To install iOS 16 when the update is released, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software update. Check out our list of six useful new features to try after updating your iPhone to iOS 16 below.
Customize your Lock Screen
iOS 16’s titular new feature transforms the Lock Screen into multi-layered wallpapers, widgets, custom fonts for date and time, and more. with the possibility to customize. You can also choose a series of photos to shuffle on your Lock Screen throughout the day.
The new Lock Screen gallery showcases 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 includes support for multiple Lock Screen designs, allowing you to switch between favorites with a swipe.
Related: How to Customize Lock Screen in iOS 16
Edit or send an iMessage
iOS 16 introduces the ability to temporarily edit or unsend an iMessage, as well as mark iMessage conversations as unread after opening them.
Apple allows you to edit an iMessage up to 15 minutes after you send it, with five edits allowed per message. Recipients can see a record of edits made to the message, and on devices running iOS 15 or earlier, edited messages are treated as a new message that says “Edited.” [new message].”
To edit or unsend a message, simply touch and hold the bubble and select the appropriate option from the menu that appears. Edited iMessages are marked as “edited” below the message bubble. SMS messages (green bubbles) cannot be edited or sent.
Use the Full Screen Music Player
iOS 16 reintroduces the full-screen music player on the Lock Screen with a large album art and color-matched wallpaper.
Apple last offered a full-screen music player on the Lock Screen in iOS 10 in 2016. If you don’t like this feature, you can tap the bottom of the screen to minimize the music player and return to the default Lock Screen wallpaper. .
Game with Nintendo Joy-Cons
iPhones have support for many additional Bluetooth game controllers in iOS 16, including the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons and Pro Controller. iPhones running iOS 16 can be used as a single controller with either the left or right Joy-Cons alone, or both at once.
This is on top of the iPhone’s existing compatibility with PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers since the release of iOS 14.5 last year.
Track your Apple Pay Order
In iOS 16, Apple Pay introduces new built-in order tracking information in the Wallet app for online orders completed through Apple Pay. The tracker provides the estimated delivery date of the order and shows when the package is due for delivery.
Close your rings without an Apple Watch
Starting with iOS 16, the Fitness app is now available to all users on iPhone, even without an Apple Watch. The app has a daily Activity ring that relies on the iPhone’s motion sensors to calculate a person’s calories burned and steps taken per day.
During the iPhone 14 event, Apple announced that Fitness+ will be available to iPhone users without an Apple Watch later this year in the 21 countries where the service is available. Fitness+ is $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
