Top 10 iOS 16 Features: What’s New in the Update

We tell you what's new in iOS 16 and how to use these features.

First, let's remind you what devices support iOS 16: all Apple smartphones from iPhone 8, including iPhone X, XS, XR, models 11, 12, 13, and 14 generations.

Deleting and Editing Messages After Sending

Messages in the eponymous app can now be edited within 15 minutes of being sent. The recipient will see a notification that you've made edits. You can also delete messages if no more than 2 minutes have passed since they were sent - then the messenger will not see them (if he/she hasn't had time to read them). 

Other useful features include the ability to mark messages in iMessage as unread, SharePlay support, and sending invitations to collaborate on files with saving the history of edits in correspondence. 

Also, updates have affected the Mail application. You can now cancel an email within 10 seconds after you hit "Send". And with the delayed sending feature, you can set a specific day and hour to send the letter. 

Text Scanner 

Another iOS 16 feature: iPhones can now recognize text in photos, screenshots, and paused video frames. It can be copied, pasted, searched, sent, and translated. The function supports the Russian language and works in the Photo app and Safari browser. The corresponding button for text recognition is located in the lower right corner of the screen in the image preview. 

Object Recognition in Photos

The funniest feature that is sure to find use in the creation of stickers, memes, and designs. Now the iPhone is able to recognize objects in the photo, which allows you to copy them and share them as separate pictures. 

To do this, you need to hold your finger on the object and wait for the iPhone to scan it. If the object is found, two buttons will appear above it: copy and share.

Important: The text and object recognition functions on photos only work on iPhone XS/XR and later models.

New Lock Screen 

After updating to iOS 16, the lock screen can be customized: change the font and color for the date and time, install widgets (weather, calendar, battery power), and use new wallpaper. And there can be several lock screens, and swipes are used to switch between them - just like on the Apple Watch.

New screens can be linked to focus scripts so that when you turn them on, the right settings for notifications and calls are applied immediately. 

To set up new lock screens, open the Settings app, find the "Wallpaper" section, and click "Add New Wallpaper." To change existing screens, select "Customize". But we were not able to change the pre-upgrade wallpaper - the time in iOS 16 was displayed in a different font, and we had to re-create the screen to change it. 

Transferring Edits in the Photo Editor

In the built-in photo editor, you can now save your settings (brightness, shutter speed, etc.) so that you can apply them to another image. The feature makes processing images much easier-especially if there are a lot of images. 

• Press the three dots in the upper right corner while in the editor window.
• Select "Copy edits." 
• If you open another photo in the same section, select "Paste edits" - the copied settings will be applied. 

Access Passwords From Connected Wi-Fi Networks

Now you can quickly find out the password to any connected Wi-Fi network - it's handy if you want to share it with someone.

• Open the list of networks via settings or the control item (curtain). 
• Click on the information sign next to the network name (i). 
• Click on the "Password" line and authenticate with Face ID (Touch ID). 
• The password appears in its own row, from which it can be copied immediately.

The Fitness App

Even if you don't have an Apple Watch, you can keep track of your mobility in the Fitness app. It will count steps, distance traveled and calories burned using iPhone sensors. For the program to work properly, enter your data in it: weight, height, gender, and age. There is also a "Rewards" section here - you can get them for supporting an active lifestyle.  

New "Medical Record" Section

The Health app now has a new section called "Medical Card". You can add information about your medications, blood type, illnesses, and allergies - just like a real medical record. 

If you have health problems, we advise you to fill out this section and add a contact in case of an emergency. This is especially relevant for elderly users or those who might pass out on the street or among strangers.

Search for Duplicate Photos

New features in IOS 16 include searching for similar images. There is a new "Duplicates" folder in the Photos app for this purpose. Open it and the search for duplicates will start automatically. The iPhone will scan your gallery and offer to delete similar photos.

New Security Features

The Privacy & Security section has a new "Security Check" feature. It's designed for people who have experienced abuse from loved ones who have access to their iPhones. The new option allows you to quickly revoke all permissions and access for other users and check what information you've shared recently and with whom.