Announced at the company’s developer conference in June, iOS 16 and watchOS 9 completely change the lock screen, try to crack the much-abused passcode, revamp notifications and add new clocks, new activity statistics and more. Here’s what you need to know about the updates.
When can I get it?
Downloads for iOS and watchOS updates usually start around 6 p.m. UK time (1pm in New York, 3am in Sydney). Unlike other manufacturers, all eligible Apple devices will be able to download and install the update at the time of its release, rather than in a staggered fashion. Updates to Apple’s iPad lineup will be available later this year.
Which devices can get it?
All Apple smartphones from 2017 iPhone 8 or later can install iOS 16. All Apple watches from 2018 Series 4 or later can install watchOS 9.
How can I get it?
Open the Settings app on an iPhone, then go to General > Software Update. Tap install if it’s available to download, verify, and then reboot to install. You can also install the update via Mac or iTunes on a Windows PC. WatchOS 9 requires an iPhone 8 or later to run iOS 16 first. Then, open the Watch app and go to General > Software Update to start the installation. You will need to place the smartwatch on its charger to complete the update.
How much will it cost?
The update is free from Apple. If you’re asked to pay for an update, it’s likely a scam.
iOS 16
New lock screen design
The redesigned lock screen adds more information and better notification stacking for a more modern design. Photo: Apple The lock screen has been revamped, with much more personalization and a change in the way notifications are displayed. By default it now displays the date, time and a series of info widgets at the top with notifications filed into groups from the bottom of the screen. You can change the font and color of the time, add other information along with the date and customize the wallpaper with a 3D effect for some images or a photo slideshow. Live activities, such as sports scores or music playback, sit above the notification stack at the bottom of the screen, making it easy to access with one hand. You can also have multiple lock screens and link them to focus modes so you can, for example, have one for work and one for personal time. New “focus filters” can hide distracting content from apps, such as blocking messages from colleagues when off the clock.
Access keys
Digital keys authenticated with your face or fingerprint on an iPhone can be used to sign in to websites, apps, and services instead of using a password. It will work on non-Apple products, such as connecting to a smart TV by scanning a QR code with your iPhone and then confirming with your face or finger. Passwords are synced using iCloud Keychain and can be recovered if you lose or break your iPhone.
Edit iMessages and unsend from Mail
Sent messages can now be edited or removed, for example when you’ve sent something to the wrong group, within the first 15 minutes. You can also mark messages as unread for later, just like an email. Search in the Mail app has been improved and you can now cancel sending an email within 10 seconds. Mail will also display a warning if you forget to attach something to an email or fail to add a recipient using machine learning.
Automatically crop objects from images
Objects can be isolated from their background and copied from images in Photos, Screenshots, Previews, Safari and more. Photo: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian You can copy objects from the foreground of images, such as pets, plants, people, and products, and then paste or share them in other apps, documents, or messages. This is in addition to recognizing, copying text and other items, but requires an iPhone XS or later. You can also type and dictate at the same time on the keyboard and enter emojis via voice. The translation app can also use the camera to translate text live or find text in photos.
Faster security updates
Apple has decoupled security updates from full iOS updates, allowing it to issue bug fixes more quickly and install them automatically on users’ iPhones. Face ID will also work when the phone is held in landscape orientation.
Watch OS 9
New watches and refurbished old ones
Included are three new watch faces and refreshes of old ones with new colors and rich complications. Photo: Apple Three new watch faces are available. Metropolitan is an analog face with more customization options, Playtime is a digital face by artist Joi Fulton, and Lunar features the phases of the moon. Astronomy has been revamped, and you can now set colored backgrounds in modular compact, modular and X-Large. Notifications no longer take up the screen when you’re actively using it, instead appearing as smaller, expandable banners like they do on an iPhone. Apps running in the background are more visible in the dock, while the calendar app has been revamped for better week and day views.
More running metrics and better workouts
More activity metrics, including power, and better summaries add to the Apple Watch’s fitness focus. Photo: Apple The training app has several improvements. The watch can record running power without accessories and can display more metrics such as stride length, ground contact time, vertical swing and heart rate zones. Workouts can also be customized, for intervals and other tracks with alerts for pace, heart rate, pace and power. Automatic transitions between running, cycling and swimming are now supported for multiple sports, while improved workout summaries provide more detail at the end.
Medicines and sleep
The health app can now remind you to take medicine and keep a log directly from the wrist. Sleep tracking is also improved, with stages and comparison graphs in the iPhone app.
