7 Essential iOS 16 Tips And Tricks You Should Know
The sixth one looks exciting
The iOS 16 operating system is finally available to the public. Thanks to this, you can install the long-awaited system packed with exciting new features. In our article below, you can find out how to update your iPhone or what compatible models are.
But for now, let’s look at some essential iOS 16 tips and tricks you should know. As mentioned above, the system is packed with new features so that you can find several remarkable changes. So let’s take a look at them together.
Redesigned lock screen
One of the most significant changes in iOS 16 is the completely redesigned lock screen, which can now be personalized to your needs and preferences. The lock screen can now be customized in various ways, starting with adjusting styles and wallpaper options. But let’s get back to the customization options.
In settings, you can now customize the style and colour of the time or even add various widgets directly to the lock screen, making using the phone noticeably more enjoyable and accessible.
For example, Apple users can add a Weather widget to their lock screen, giving them an instant overview of the current status and forecasts. In practice, however, you can add any widget you would otherwise only have on your desktop.
Aside from the native apps, this also offers other apps and several utilities and tools. In the context of this change, we also definitely can’t forget to mention the lock screen linking to focus modes. With the arrival of iOS 15 (2021), we saw all-new Focus modes replacing the original Do Not Disturb mode and noticeably expanding its capabilities. iOS 16 takes this even further — linking each mode to the lock screen, which can change according to the current mode.
This allows you to push your productivity at work by displaying the right widgets, setting a darker wallpaper along with sleep mode, and so on. Along with the lock screen, we definitely can’t forget to mention the brand-new notification systems. If you’re uncomfortable with the current method, you can change it within iOS 16.
Overall, there are three ways — Number, Set and List. You’ll find these options in Settings → Notifications → Show As, so we recommend trying out each style and finding the one that works best for you. You can see how to do it in the gallery attached below.
Editing iMessage messages and their history
Another important new feature Apple users have been calling for years is iMessage. As part of iOS 16, it will finally be possible to edit messages that have already been sent, bringing Apple’s system one step closer to competing platforms that have been around for a while.
On the other hand, it’s essential to know how the message may have changed and whether its meaning has changed. This is why the new system includes a history of messages and modifications. In this case, go to the native Messages app, open a specific conversation and find the message that has been modified.
You’ll find the blue text “Edited” below it, which you can tap to see the complete history. It is also important to mention that for this functionality to work, the other party must also be using iOS16. Otherwise, the messages will only be hidden from you.
View saved Wi-Fi passwords
You may have encountered a situation where you needed to share the password with your Wi-Fi network. If you need to share your password with an Apple device user, it’s fairly simple — the system recognizes the situation, and you need to tap the share button. But if it’s a user of competing systems (Android, Windows), you’re simply out of luck, and without knowing the password, you can practically do without.
In fact, until now, iOS has lacked a feature to view saved Wi-Fi passwords. By going to Settings → Wi-Fi, tapping Edit at the top right and authenticating with Touch/Face ID, you can find a specific network in the list of Wi-Fi networks and tap the ⓘ button to view your saved password. This way, you can see the passwords for all your saved networks and share them with friends if needed.
Return of the battery percentage indicator
The arrival of the iPhone X was quite revolutionary. Along with this model, Apple set a new trend by bringing out a phone with an edge-to-edge display by removing the home button and narrowing the bezel. The only exception was the top screen cutout.
This is because it houses a hidden TrueDepth camera and all the Face ID technology sensors, which can unlock the device and authenticate other operations based on a 3D facial scan.
At the same time, the familiar battery percentage indicator has disappeared due to the cutout. Apple users, therefore, had to open the control centre each time to check the battery. But iOS 16 finally brings a change and the percentage indicator back to us!
There’s just one catch — you have to activate it yourself. In that case, just go to Settings → Battery and activate Battery Status.
But it’s also worth mentioning that this option is missing on the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 13 mini. In addition, the percentage indicator has a newer design and shows the percentage directly in the battery icon.
Shared photo library on iCloud
Want to share selected photos with your family?
If so, you’ll appreciate the shared photo library on iCloud, designed for this purpose. This way, you get an additional library for family albums, photos and videos that pre-selected users can access. However, you must activate this new feature as part of the iOS 16 operating system.
First, go to Settings → Photos → Shared Library, and then run through iCloud’s Shared Photo Library setup wizard.
Additionally, in the wizard itself, the system will directly ask you to select up to five participants to share the content. At the same time, you can instantly transfer existing content to this new library and then collaborate to create it. In the native Photos app, you can switch between libraries by tapping the three dots icon in the top right.
Lockdown mode
The iOS 16 operating system has seen a rather interesting new feature designed to keep devices safe from hacker attacks. This role is taken on by the brand new Blocking Mode, with which Apple is targeting “important people” who could theoretically face attacks. It is, therefore, a feature primarily for politicians, investigative journalists, police and criminals, celebrities and other publicly exposed people.
On the other hand, it is necessary to consider that activating the blocking mode will limit or disable some options and functions. Specifically, it will block attachments and selected features in native Messages and incoming FaceTime calls, disable specific web browsing options, remove shared albums, disable the connection of two devices via cable when locked, remove configuration profiles, and so on.
According to the above description, the lockdown mode is more robust protection that can come in handy from time to time. It is pretty simple if you are interested in security in general and want to know how to activate the mode if necessary.
Go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Lockdown Mode → Turn Blocking Mode on.
New options in Mail
The native Mail app has finally received a significant improvement. It has moved several levels forward and finally matches competing email clients. Specifically, Apple has added several new options, including scheduling an email, reminding you to send it, or cancelling it if necessary. So let’s briefly go over how the aforementioned new features work and how they can be used.
Scheduling an email to be sent
Sometimes, you may want to prepare your email and have it sent automatically at a predetermined time. In this case, you need to open the Mail app and schedule a new email or reply. Once you’re all set and you can virtually send the Mail, hold your finger on the arrow icon in the top right corner, which is normally used for sending, for bringing up another menu.
From here, all you have to do is schedule the send, and you’re done — the app will take care of the rest for you. As you can see in the gallery below, the app offers four options, instant send, send at night (9 pm) and send tomorrow. The last option is Send Later, where you can choose the exact time and details yourself.
Email reminders
You may have been in a situation where an email arrived. You accidentally opened it thinking you’d come back to it later, and then forgot about it. This is likely because a particular email appears to have already been read, making it easier to miss.
Fortunately, Apple has a solution to this — it reminds you of emails retrospectively, so you don’t forget them. In this case, open the native Mail, a specific mailbox, find the Mail you want to be reminded of, and swipe from left to right. You’ll then be presented with options to tap Later, choose when to do it, and you’re done.
Cancel sending an email
The last option we’ll look at about the native Mail app is what’s known as unsend email. This can come in handy in all sorts of cases — for example, if you forget to attach an attachment, select the wrong recipient, and so on. But how do you use this option?
Once you’ve sent an email, you’ll see an Unsend option at the bottom of the screen, which you need to tap to stop the email from being sent. But logically, there’s a slight catch.
The button is only active for 10 seconds after the initial send. If you miss it, you’re simply out of luck. This little safety feature means that the email is not sent immediately but only after ten seconds.
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