Apple’s iOS 16 is Here With Several New & Improved Features!

Tech giant Apple has just released iOS 16, the latest version of the company’s operating system for the iPhone. It can be downloaded for free and works with the iPhone 8 or later, as well as the second and third-generation iPhone SE. The iOS 16 update was first rolled out to those on the public beta or developer beta version of the software. The update is around 3 GB in size.

One of the main changes in iOS 16 is a new Lock Screen that comes with numerous personalization features including widgets. It is possible to customize how it looks and feels in multiple ways. When you choose a photo in your library, you can now enable a depth effect to make a face stand out from the background. If you do not prefer personal photos, then you now have an included wallpaper generator that enables you to create color gradients and emoji grids. A user can also choose to use dynamic weather-based or astronomy-based wallpapers.

Another major change in iOS 16 is a new way to share photos with your close ones thanks to shared libraries. Once this is set up, you can choose to store photos in your personal photo library or in the shared library. So, you no longer have to send individual photos to each other as anybody in the shared library can view the original, full-resolution photos. For privacy purposes, Apple is adding a Locking Mode to iOS 16.

Other improved features include the ability to edit and unsend messages sent via iMessage, some refinements for Focuses, some changes to the Mail app, a new way to dictate and type text at the same time, a brand new Home app, and the introduction of Apple Pay Later in the U.S. The built-in keyboard haptics will help in feeling the vibrations while typing. Earlier, it was available inside apps or activating features like the flashlight from the lock screen

The update is currently rolling out and is available both over the air in the Settings app and by plugging your device into your computer for a wired update. But before you go for the update, make sure that you back up your device. Also, ensure that your iCloud backup is up to date by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad and tapping on your account information at the top, and then on your device name. Additionally, you can also plug your iOS device into your computer to do a manual backup in Finder or iTunes for Windows (or do both, really).

iPadOS will not be updated to the new version 16 today, as it will be shipped later as an iPadOS 16.1 release.