Summary
There are two questions that are the primary focus of each iOS review, including this evaluation of iOS 16: when should I upgrade, and what should I anticipate when I do update?
There is a good reason why we used “when” rather than “if” there. In contrast to our Android counterparts, iPhone customers are not at the mercy of phone manufacturers and carriers over when they may update their devices. As a result, iPhone owners almost always upgrade to the most recent version of Apple’s mobile software. The iOS update that Apple releases is made accessible to all users as soon as it is made available. According to Apple, as of February, 81 percent of iPhones that have been released in the last four years are running iOS 16.
At this point, the issue that has to be asked is whether or not the remaining 19% of iOS users should join them in the bright new world of iOS 16.
iOS 16 review
Although I have been using iOS 16 for some time now, I believe that this is the case. After making iOS 16 my primary operating system a few weeks before its release in September, I haven’t looked back since I made the decision to switch to iOS 16. Even if there are some glitches here and there, the benefits that iOS 16 provides to my iPhone are definitely worth having. Therefore, it is only logical that I believe that the time has come for consumers to update to iOS 16. The most essential thing is that those who do upgrade will be satisfied with what they discover, particularly after Apple has continued to enhance its software with a succession of upgrades, the most recent of which is iOS 16.5. Before iOS 17 captures the majority of Apple’s attention in preparation for its introduction in the autumn of 2023, it might very well be the last update that we provide for iOS 16.
All of the numerous updates that have been released for iOS 16 have contributed to the additions and improvements that have already been made available for iOS 16. A strong iOS upgrade that has continued to develop is the end outcome of this process. According to the information provided in this review of iOS 16, upgrading to iOS 16 brings with it not only new features but also welcome improvements to cherished favorites, which will make your phone much more useful.
A review of iOS 16 explaining how to get the download and which iPhones are compatible with it
By going to the Settings app and selecting General, you will be able to get the most recent software update. This is true regardless of whether you have already installed iOS 16 and are just interested in receiving the iOS 16.4 update or if you are still having reservations about upgrading to iOS 16. Following the steps for downloading and installing iOS 16, choose Software Update and then proceed to follow the instructions. (Before you proceed, it is recommended that you create a copy of your iPhone using an archived backup.) Our tutorial on how to download iOS 16 may help you navigate any steps involved in the process.
It is necessary to have an iPhone 8 or later in order to install iOS 16. All iPhones introduced in 2017 and beyond are included in this coverage. This removes a few devices that are capable of running iOS 15, but they are not suitable for iOS 16 since they are not ready. Each and every iPhone 6s and iPhone 7 model is unable to update to iOS 16, and the original iPhone SE is also unable to do so. With that being said, the SE versions of 2020 and 2022 are supported. Additionally, the seventh-generation iPod touch is considered to be on the outside looking in.
Even if your phone is compatible with iOS 16, users of earlier models may be unable to access some functions. To access features such as Live Text and Visual Look Up, both of which see new additions in iOS 16, you will need a phone with an A12 Bionic CPU or later. This is the same requirement as with iOS 15.
Review of iOS 16: Some changes to the lock screen
When you wake up your phone from sleep, you will see the most significant change that iOS 16 has brought about. (Or if you have one of the new iPhone 14 Pro models that boast screens that are constantly on, at all time.) The lock screen of iOS 16 may now be customized in more ways than simply the wallpaper. While you are adding widgets, you also have the ability to change the font and color of the date and time display window.
If you prefer the iPhone, you are in for a wild new world since you have the power to personalize your lock screen, which may be something that Android users are used to. As was the case in the past, you have the option of selecting a wallpaper from Apple’s collection or using one of your own photographs. In addition, iOS 16 will recommend photographs from your picture library that are especially suitable for use as lock screen backgrounds.
Although you have the option of selecting from eight distinct typefaces and a wide range of colors, I have sometimes found it difficult to find the appropriate color contrast when using one of my photographs. This is necessary in order to ensure that the date, time, and widgets are all shown in the same manner.
When it came to those widgets, the options available to you during the beta testing phase of iOS 16 were restricted to those that were provided by Apple. Now that iOS 16 has been released and has been updated many times, developers of mobile applications have released their own widgets that provide information that can be quickly seen by just looking at the display of your iPhone. We have compiled a list of some of the best lock screen widgets that we have seen so far for iOS 16, and when you try to personalize your own lock screen, you will most likely discover alternatives that are provided by third-party developers.
Alongside the date, there is enough for a single widget; however, I believe that this area is insufficient to accommodate anything other than a widget that displays the current temperature. There is additional space available in the region just below the clock, which may include four square widgets, two bigger widgets, or a combination of the two sizes for variety.
Included among the most popular widget choices are a calendar widget that displays upcoming appointments, a widget that allows you to operate smart home devices via the Home app, a market ticker, a News headline widget, and a widget that displays your progress in the new Fitness app that is available with iOS 16. When it comes to reminding me to set my alarm before I go to bed, I feel that a Clock widget that shows me whether I have an alarm set is really beneficial. This is especially true regarding the fact that I can press the widget to switch on an alarm without having to unlock the phone and run the clock app on my own.
In order to create room for all of these widgets, alerts are now shown to the bottom of the screen. This is a change that I have quickly become used to, despite the fact that it has caused me to experience certain annoyances. (On my iPhone 12, for instance, the lock screen may sometimes go to sleep while I am still attempting to look through alerts. This is an issue that I anticipate users of the iPhone 14 Pro would not have to deal with since that device is constantly on display.)
In the default configuration, notifications are arranged in a stack on top of one another and expand outward when you press them. However, you have the option to restore to the previous list mode, which displays all notifications. If you are a minimalist, you will like the fact that a new notification option displays just the number of alerts that have been received. Tapping the number opens the notifications so that you may examine them.
You can easily personalize the lock screen by going via the Wallpaper section of the Settings app or by pressing and holding on the lock screen to bring up customization choices. Both of these configuration methods are rather straightforward. You are led step-by-step through the procedure, and it is quite easy to understand how to modify the fonts, colors, and widgets in iOS 16. The customization of the wallpaper that appears on the home screen is a bit more complicated. By default, the same picture or design that you have chosen to serve as the backdrop for your lock screen will also be shown on your home screen. However, you have the option to apply a blur effect to that picture or just replace it with a solid color or gradient if you so want. Alternately, if the picture that is currently shown on your lock screen is not suitable for displaying app icons and widgets on your home screen, you have the option of selecting a different photo.
Despite the fact that instructions for creating numerous lock screens and switching between them at will can only be found in the Wallpaper area of Settings, you are able to make several lock screens. Simply press and hold on the picture while your lock screen is active. A list of the lock screens you’ve generated will appear, and you can choose the one you wish to use by tapping on it. In addition, there are options for modifying the lock screen that is now active or for generating a new icon. If you are sick of a specific lock screen, you can just slide up to uncover a button that allows you to erase it.
To further shut out distractions when you want to sit down and concentrate (or conversely, if you don’t want work distractions interrupting your fun time), you may connect a specific lock screen to a Focus mode. This is a wonderful addition that can be used to further lock out distractions. In this manner, you will be able to activate a Focus mMode simply by switching lock screens. When you unlock your phone, you will be sent to the home page, which will have the applications and widgets that are associated with that specific Focus mode.
In spite of certain minor annoyances, the inclusion of a lock screen that can be customized in iOS 16 is a welcome addition to the iPhone. It is possible to customize the appearance of your phone in a manner that is both productive and practical, and it does not take any time at all to get the hang of the process of making a lock screen. The upcoming inclusion of widgets from third-party developers ought to provide an even greater degree of variation to the mix.
However, as of the iOS 16.3 update, users are now able to add widgets to their traditional iPhone wallpapers as well. It is important to note that Apple did not extend the same personalization features to classic wallpapers.
An analysis of iOS 16’s Live Activities
A further enhancement to your lock screen was introduced with the release of iOS 16.1, when Apple made Live Activities available to third-party applications. Keeping you up to speed on items that are in a state of flux, such as the score of a basketball game or the status of a food delivery, is the purpose of Live Activities, which are a new kind of alert that are meant to keep you informed. Instead of bombarding you with information on a regular basis, there is one alert that stays at the bottom of your lock screen and displays the state of the device, which is always changing.
Those who possess an iPhone 14 Pro or an iPhone 14 Pro Max are eligible for an additional benefit: Live Activities will now be shown on the Dynamic Island section of their handsets’ home screens. This is just another method by which Apple is using that ingenious addition to the iPhone to keep you fully informed.
As a result of the fact that very few of the applications that I use on a daily basis have really adopted Live Activities, I do not have strong views about this feature. But if you take a look at some of the people who were among the first to embrace Live Activities, you will get a sense of how the new function operates. The most effective solutions include timers or real-time updates, which make the information shown on your iPhone screen very easy to look at.
New editing capabilities for messages are included in the iOS 16 review
There are also some noticeable improvements that have been made to Messages, which should come as no surprise given that Apple’s messaging app is one of the most popular built-in applications on Android devices. Messages on iOS 16 now includes the much-appreciated capability to edit text messages, with the goal of removing errors that are either humiliating or unclear. In Messages, you now have the ability to completely abort sending SMS.
The ability to remember a text is very useful in situations in which you send a text message, only to discover that you have sent it to the incorrect person. For example, there are several instances in which I send a text message to my wife informing her that dinner is ready, only to discover that I am really informing a group of friends. If, on the other hand, you touch and hold on the message in question, you will get a pop-up menu that allows you to pick Undo Send. This will allow you to undo sending the message. (There will be a notification indicating a message has been recalled.) The process of editing messages is the same as before: press and hold the screen, then pick edit from the pop-up menu that appears.
Apple has been met with some natural opposition over this feature, since there are many who are concerned that malicious actors may exploit the ability to edit and unsend messages in order to threaten or intimidate others, with the intention of erasing any proof of their mistreatment. This is a valid issue that cannot be completely eradicated as long as there exist tools for altering and unsending messages, despite the fact that Apple has imposed certain restrictions on the use of this feature. You only have a two-minute window to unsend messages, which is a significant decrease from the fifteen minutes that used to be available earlier in the iOS 16 beta process. This is in addition to the warnings that display when a text has been modified or recalled. significantly though Messages still has a 15-minute window for amending messages, Mail on iOS 16 now includes the ability to unsend emails, and the time for doing so is significantly shorter. The amount of time you have to stop an email from being sent may range anywhere from ten to thirty seconds. You can choose a duration between these two options under the Mail section of Settings, which is also where you can disable the function completely.
A new feature in iOS 16 that can identify whether you have neglected to add an attachment or a recipient before sending an email will be appreciated by certain individuals. This feature will also be appreciated by those individuals who will welcome the opportunity to retrieve emails that were sent in a hurry. The option to schedule an email to be sent at a later time is, in my opinion, the most significant improvement that has been made to iOS 16 Mail. This innovation brings a feature that has been available in Gmail for quite some time to Apple Mail’s toolset.
Review of iOS 16: Simplified Approach to Focus and Photos
There are a number of improvements that have been made in iOS 16 that are focused at simplifying chores that took up some of your time even if they were not very difficult. To illustrate this point, there is no better example than iOS 16 Focus.
A feature called Focus was released by Apple in the previous year. Its purpose was to prevent distracting alerts and applications from appearing, allowing users to concentrate on the work at hand. However, I believe that the procedure of setting up Focus modes for work or downtime (if you don’t want to be distracted by notifications and incoming messages from your job) deterred many from giving Focus a try. This is despite the fact that it is an excellent feature.
Due to the fact that Apple has significantly simplified the process of setting up Focus, you will no longer be able to use that excuse with iOS 16. The process of accepting or disabling alerts from certain contacts or applications is now managed by Focus, which walks you through the steps. It is also possible to establish a lock screen that is associated with a certain Focus mode, or you can choose a home screen that is exclusively comprised of applications that are pertinent to the mode that you are now in. To make matters even better, Focus will propose applications for that home screen, and I have discovered that its choices are spot-on. For example, while I was in Work mode, Focus offered applications such as Slack and Gmail, in addition to a few of the built-in applications that come with iOS 16 and that I use throughout my workday.
Other noteworthy changes in Focus include new filters that can be applied to the built-in applications of iOS 16 and restrict the visibility of certain calendars, inboxes, or Safari tab groups. These filters may be applied to the apps. It is now possible for developers to design Focus filters for their own applications by using the software tools that are available to them.
Despite the fact that Focus is maybe the clearest illustration of how Apple has simplified things in iOS 16, the Photos app in iOS 16 has also been redesigned and now includes some pleasant new features. The Duplicates folder is a new feature introduced in iOS 16, and I’ve been using it to locate and combine photographs that are similar in my library. It is also possible to copy and paste picture and video alterations, which may save you time when you find yourself making the same tweaks over and over again. Merging photographs is a process that merges captions, keywords, and other data into a higher-quality shot. When it comes to the process of editing photos, the undo and redo buttons are extremely helpful.
A review of iOS 16: the iCloud Shared Photo Library Review
With the release of iOS 16.1, a new method of sharing images with friends and family was added. A feature that was initially included in the public beta version of iOS 16 but was later removed so that Apple could make improvements to the program, the iCloud Shared Photo Library makes it easy to share photographs with up to five other individuals. Each of these individuals would have the power to add, delete, and modify images that are stored in the library. (The storage space is taken from the iCloud storage allowance that is assigned to the individual who is hosting the shared library of content.)
The act of sending photographs to other people is a pleasant part of shooting photographs; but, in order to do so, you will need to schedule some time in your schedule to send those photographs by email or text message. The act of sharing images is baked into the process of capturing photos with iCloud Shared Photo Library. There is even a setting in the Camera app that allows you to route photos automatically to your shared library.
When you are taking a picture of something that you do not necessarily want to share, you may just as simply turn off the sharing toggle. However, I can imagine that some people would forget to turn off that function.
Because of a feature called proximity sharing, the iCloud Shared Photo Library offers additional methods to circumvent the obstacles that prevent users from sharing their photos. Therefore, if you are in the presence of individuals who are a member of your shared library, you will be able to automatically submit images. It is because of this requirement that they must also be running iOS 16.1 that I have not yet had the chance to try out this specific component of the iCloud Shared Photo Library.
The iCloud Shared Photo Library still has a few aspects that I am still getting accustomed to, but I am getting used to them. The iCloud Shared Photo Library is not configured via the Photos app; rather, it is configured within the Settings app. In addition, the Albums section of the Photo app does not have any unique shared albums. The images that are stored in an iCloud Shared Photo Library are instead stored in your primary library alongside your own personal photographs. Apple has at least included a visual indication in the shape of an icon to show which images are shared with others, and you have the ability to flip between the two options. However, it is an idea that some iOS users are going to need some time to fully comprehend before they can really appreciate it.
A review of the new fitness app on iOS 16
There was just one new app that was included in the original release of iOS 16, but anyone who possess an Apple Watch will recognize it as the one that was included. You can now establish movement objectives, monitor your activity, and shut your different rings on your iPhone, exactly like your friends who use Apple Watches. This is made possible by the inclusion of a Fitness app that is exclusive to your iPhone. There is also a widget for fitness that you can put on the lock screen so that you can obtain an overview of your progress in a more concise manner.
Apple’s current emphasis in health-tracking capabilities is reflected in the fact that Fitness is now available on your iPhone. Additionally, it seems that Apple is admitting the fact that not everyone is going to visit our compilation of the best Apple Watches and purchase one for themselves. However, the business would not be bothered if you were finally compelled to purchase one of its wearables if you were attracted to the idea of purchasing one.
iOS 16.1 removes the need that you use an Apple Watch in order to exercise using the Apple Fitness Plus subscription program. This is just another indication that Apple recognizes that a wristwatch may not be suitable for everyone. At this point, all that is required is an iPhone (although users of Apple Watches may still get additional exercise data via Apple Fitness Plus).
Among the built-in applications that I use the most on iOS 16, I feel that Fitness has become one of the most useful. Throughout the course of testing, I found myself keeping track of my progress toward closing my daily move ring (in order to do so, you need to burn a certain number of calories every day) and creating new move objectives with the assistance of the accompanying app.
It is possible for the data that is recorded by Fitness to be inconsistent; thus, you should be prepared for a little delay between the time that you finish a walk and the time that your move ring actually captures the data. There is also the promise that Fitness will keep track of the amount of steps you climb; however, the sensors on your iPhone are not particularly good at picking up this information. Every time I leave my home, I go down and then up a flight of stairs; according to my fitness data, I only walk up those steps about one out of every ten times.
Nevertheless, I am moving about more these days, and the Fitness app that comes with iOS 16 is a significant reason for this. Because of this, I consider iOS 16 to be an update that is worth considering alone.
A look at iOS 16: the modifications that are welcome to Maps
There are a number of modifications that have been added to Apple’s navigation software in iOS 16, including more comprehensive city views in a greater number of locations, as well as the inclusion of the cost of bus and subway tickets when you search up a route utilizing public transportation. If you have your transport card saved in the Wallet app, you may also use this latter capability to add money to your card whenever you need it.
The fact that the cost of rides is included in the instructions is something that I enjoy, as someone who uses public transportation very often. However, I believe that a darker font would make that information more noticeable at a look. It is a wonderful feature that provides you a more realistic image of your journey because iOS 16 Maps allows you to choose between transit card fares and cash rates. This enables you choose whatever method of payment you prefer.
The capability to map out itineraries that include many stops is, nevertheless, one of my favorite features to the Maps app in iOS 16. In iOS 15, it is possible to add a stop to a route on the fly; however, in iOS 16, capability is added for up to 15 stops inside a single route. It is a function that I could have used earlier this year when my daughter and I went on a road trip to Southern California and we needed to plan a route to numerous tourist places, restaurants, gas stations, and other stops in between Point A and Point B. I could have used this option.
When you search up instructions to a location, there is a button that is extremely easy to see that says “Add Stop.” Additionally, you have the ability to move about stops in order to rearrange the sequence in which you go. You are able to seek up a route on your Mac and then transmit the instructions to your iPhone when it is time for you to go. This is made possible via Continuity. We apologize to bikers, but for the time being, multi-stop routes can only be used for driving directions. Despite this limitation, it is still an excellent function that makes Maps a more useful navigation program.
The Health app receives a significant bump in iOS 16’s assessment
Despite the fact that fitness has been a significant improvement to my general health, it is not the only adjustment that iOS 16 brings to the table in this regard. You are now able to document the drugs that you are required to take using the Health app. You have the ability to schedule multiple times and days for each specific prescription, and you will get a convenient notification that will inform you when it is time to take your medication.
This strategy is quite successful in its use. During the beta testing phase of iOS 16, I have only missed a couple of days, and those days were often when I did not have my phone handy at hand. Because of how hectic my days may become, it is easy for me to forget to take my medication at the appropriate time. The Health app that comes with iOS 16 has been a great help in ensuring that I do not fall behind schedule.
If you want to do the same thing, why not simply utilize Reminders?” you inquire. Indeed, you make a valid argument; nevertheless, including that function into Health enables you to share it with medical professionals and members of your family. To make matters even better, the Health app can alert you to any potentially harmful drug interactions that may occur between your different prescriptions, including situations in which consuming alcohol may result in major ill consequences.
Because Apple now offers a lock screen widget that makes it simple to keep track of medications, the utility of Medications has increased with the release of iOS 16.2. Additionally, Apple has introduced a new widget that tracks sleep, which demonstrates the company’s commitment to equipping its products with features that are focused on health.
iOS 16 review: My Sports improves the quality of the news
There is a compelling reason for Apple’s News app to be re-examined by sports enthusiasts who have previously disregarded it. My Sports is a new feature that was introduced in iOS 16 that allows you to choose the sports teams that you are interested in following. Following the completion of the My Sports configuration in iOS 16, the News app will include a specialized area that contains scores, future games, video highlights, and articles that are linked to the topic. Since some of the stories need a membership to Apple’s News Plus service, which costs $9.99 per month, the usefulness of some of those links is diminished if you do not have a subscription to News Plus.
You had to do a lot of scrolling simply to find out who won a ballgame when My Sports was located under the Today tab of the News app. However, iOS 16.5 solves this issue by adding a new My Sports tab at the bottom of the News app. This makes it much easier to locate My Sports. It is now possible to get all of the scores and highlights with just a touch.
One of the aspects of My Sports that is sometimes ignored is the degree to which it integrates with the rest of the Apple ecosystem. In the event that upcoming games are being webcast, links will be provided. The TV app on both your iPhone and your Apple TV (if you have one) will have a section called Watch Now that will list live games that are currently being played. Notifications are also sent to me on a regular basis when my team is about to begin playing a game that is being broadcast on television or when the action is getting near to start during the game itself.
More tools for working together in Messages and Safari are included in the iOS 16 review.
Another collection of modifications that were introduced by iOS 16 covers the additions that were made to a variety of different applications. These changes include Apple’s new collaboration capabilities among other things. The goal of a number of new features included in iOS 16 is to transform your iPhone into a tool for collaboration, allowing you to interact with other people straight from inside Apple’s built-in applications. Apple is making a concerted effort to ensure that the mobile and desktop versions of its applications provide a smooth experience. In fact, many of the improvements that have been implemented in Safari and Mail for iOS 16 are influenced by enhancements that are going to be released for macOS Ventura, which is still in beta as of the time of this writing but is scheduled to be released in October. However, there is now an additional feature that will allow you to share your work with other individuals straight from inside the applications themselves.
With Take Messages, you can do more than simply edit messages or even watch films together using SharePlay. Take Messages comes with a lot of other features. You are also able to exchange documents, spreadsheets, slide decks, and other sorts of files inside the messaging app. Tapping on one of the shared documents enables you to quickly communicate with other applications including as Files, Freeform, Keynote, Notes, Numbers, Reminders, and Safari. This feature was introduced with iOS 16 as well. By the end of the year, support for third-party applications will be available.
A link to a file that has arrived via Messages is not the only thing that this is. The tools that are available for collaboration include activity updates that detail who made what modifications and connections that allow you to call your colleagues using FaceTime in the event that you have urgent issues. To this point, I have merely experimented with this feature, but it seems to have a lot of potential.
Sharing all of the Tab Groups that you have been able to create since the introduction of the grouping feature in iOS 15 is now possible with Safari version 16. This is a similar addition to the previous version of Safari. Shared Tab Groups is an excellent tool for doing research projects, such as organizing a vacation for the whole family or working on an assignment for school together. Any member of the group that you have shared with has the ability to create tabs of their own, and you are able to observe in real time who is viewing which tab.
Observations on iOS 16: enhancements to Siri
It would seem like Apple and Google are engaged in a never-ending competition to determine who can make their mobile software more innovative and sophisticated. As a result, it should come as no surprise that one of the most impressive capabilities that was introduced with the Pixel 6 in the autumn of last year is now included in iOS 16: better on-device dictation.
You are now able to dictate emails in Mail and messages in Messages, and the dictation tool in iOS 16 is intelligent enough to insert the appropriate punctuation; it even understands emoji. Simply utter the phrase “heart emoji” or “laughing emoji,” and the appropriate symbol will be shown.
Due to the fact that this transcription of dictation takes place totally on your smartphone, and since it has been shown to be correct, I am considering utilizing Dictation to create messages audibly more often than I have in the past. Additionally, if there are any mistakes, I have the ability to bring up the keyboard in order to repair them while I am still dictating; however, I have discovered that this method is somewhat more prone to errors than just dictate the text.
As was said, these are capabilities that are currently available to anybody who has a Pixel 6. However, I do not believe that iPhone consumers will be concerned about who was the first to give more complex dictation; rather, I believe that they will just be content with the fact that it is accessible on their phone (assuming that the device in question has an A12 Bionic CPU or a later model).
The ability to ask Siri what you can do in a specific app is my favorite new feature that was added to Siri in iOS 16. The assistant will react with some advice regarding commands that are unique to the app they are associated with. Since I have always grumbled that the most difficult aspect of using Siri is remembering all that the assistant is capable of, I am pleased to see that Apple is eliminating one of the obstacles that prevents users from discovering Siri’s capabilities.
This is a term that I believe Apple uses in the release notes for every major iOS version. Siri is a little bit wiser in iOS 16, which is a word that I believe Apple uses. This time, however, there is some truth to that assertion, since Siri is capable of performing the trick of providing you with a dictated emoji as well as hanging up your phone calls for you. The person on the other end of the line will be able to hear you tell Siri to hang up, which may be an embarrassing way to finish some conversations; nevertheless, I still find it handy when I am on automated calls with my daughter’s school or with my bank.
Live Text and Visual Look Up are two of the most notable instances of Apple’s intelligent software that were introduced in iOS 15, and they continue to get upgrades for this version. Through the release of iOS 16, Live Text is now able to quickly take text from stopped video in the same way that it can get text from still photographs. When you have recorded actionable text, quick action buttons will emerge. These buttons will offer to conduct contextual activities such as translating foreign language or changing currencies.
You may now remove the subject of a picture from its backdrop by using the Visual Look Up feature. This feature allows you to do this by touching and pushing on an image in Photos, Safari, Quick Look, or screenshots. You will then be able to copy the picture and paste it into Notes or tTexts from that destination. The capability of iOS 16 to remove a picture from its backdrop in a tidy manner is astonishing, and the functionality seems to be especially well-suited for adding supporting images to Notes. One may say that it is the most remarkable achievement that iOS 16 is capable of doing, and it is “blowing people’s mind” on TikTok.
iOS 16 review: enhancements to the security system
With the release of iOS 16, Apple has not neglected to prioritize security. The most significant uproar that occurred during the beta testing phase was caused by a new Lockdown Mode; nonetheless, the majority of iPhone users will not need this function. Lockdown Mode, on the other hand, is intended to safeguard iPhone users who could be the target of spyware sponsored by a state by blocking some phone functionalities in order to reduce vulnerabilities.
Safety Check is a tool that may assist users in swiftly resetting their sharing permissions when they are leaving an abusive relationship. This function is more relevant to a much larger number of users. Using the emergency reset option of Safety Check, you can swiftly cut those connections by limiting access to FaceTime and iMessage on all of your devices, securing access to iCloud, resetting sharing permissions, and evaluating emergency access. Managing who has access to what can also be accomplished with the help of Safety Check. Although it is a feature that you most likely will never have to make use of, it is evident that Apple has put a lot of thinking into developing it.
I also welcome an addition to the Wi-Fi part of the Settings menu, even if it is a rather modest change. You may now remove the wireless networks that you are no longer need to connect to by using the edit button, which allows you to evaluate all of the various wireless networks that you have created. You may also use it to copy and distribute passwords with others who are interested in joining the network that you are currently connected to.
An analysis of iOS 16: Charging using Clean Energy
The Clean Energy Charging feature was released in iOS 16.1 after it had been announced for iOS 16, but it did not become available until iOS 16.1. This function, as its name indicates, is intended to decrease the effect that your iPhone has on the environment by minimizing the amount of charge that is required when your house is fueled by sources that do not replenish themselves.
Although there have been some customers who have said that this has already had a detrimental effect on the pace at which they charge their devices, we have not been able to verify such assertions.
This function is currently only accessible in the United States, and it is on by default. In order to disable it, you will need to go to the settings menu and make the necessary adjustments. All you need to do is go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and Charging. By doing so, you will be able to turn on and off the Clean Energy Charging feature.
It is also important to note that there are a number of algorithms working behind the scenes in an effort to minimize the effect that any particular change may have on your typical activities. In the event that you are traveling, for example, the function will not activate, and it will learn based on the charging patterns that you make. Because of this, your iPhone will automatically increase its battery to 100 percent if it detects that it is going to be disconnected from its power source.
A overview of iOS 16: many other noteworthy changes
Despite the fact that it is hard to go into comprehensive detail on every change that is included in a major iOS release, there are still several enhancements to iOS 16 that you should be aware of.
Access to Search in a flash: The little button at the bottom of your iPhone home screen, which was before responsible for informing you of the page you are now viewing, now serves as a shortcut for the Search button. Whenever you tap it, you will immediately be sent to the search screen.
The Family Sharing feature has received a number of enhancements, one of which being the ability to address requests for screen time from inside Messages. Additionally, the device setup process for children has been simplified.
Apple Pay Later: Apple is entering the Buy Now Pay Later market, which will allow users of Apple Pay to pay for some things in four smaller payments on a monthly basis. The use of Apple Pay Later is restricted to the United States of America for the time being, and it is only accessible via the use of apps or the internet. It is not available through physical shops. In late March 2023, Bloomberg reported that Apple Pay Later was being made accessible to “randomly selected” customers. This was in preparation for the service’s eventual rollout to the general public in the United States, which is scheduled to take place in a few months.
Changes to the Home app: The Home app has undergone a significant revamp, with the primary focus being placed on strategically positioning the controls for your smart home accessories at the very top of the main My Home page. There will be an addition of support for the Matter smart home connection standard in Home later on in this year.
Percentage battery indication: On the majority of iPhones that are capable of running iOS 16, you now have the option to select between using the classic battery indicator or a new one that displays the precise percentage on your status bar at all times.
Evaluation of iOS 16: Flaws
Writing about software update vulnerabilities is a challenging endeavor since Apple often delivers quick upgrades to remedy flaws just before broad reports of difficulties begin to appear. This makes it difficult to write about software update bugs. An example of this would be that some iPhone 14 models were unable to enable FaceTime; nevertheless, a solution was ready and waiting for those new phones to be sold in stores. To add insult to injury, yet another problem that caused users to be repeatedly and vexatiously prompted to request permission to copy and paste inside an application has been fixed.
Several dissatisfied iOS 16 upgraders who have suffered substantial power loss while upgrading to iOS 16 have reported that there is one problem that seems to be still present. I must admit that this has not been an issue for me on my iPhone 12, which continues to carry me through the day on a single charge even when I use it extensively; but, there are sufficient stories of battery depletion that demonstrate that this may be a problem.
This issue was introduced with iOS 16.2 for some variants of the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which caused lines to show on the screen of the phone while it was rising from sleep. It has been reported that the iOS 16.3 update has fixed the problem.
Review of iOS 16: Upcoming modifications
The final significant iOS update that Apple released in 2022 was iOS 16.2, which included the introduction of a new app called Freeform. This app enables real-time collaboration across different Apple devices. Apple Music Sing, which has karaoke capabilities that are both entertaining and entertaining, was also added to the Music app; however, only Apple Music users are able to enjoy this innovation.
iOS version 16.3 was released at the beginning of the new year, and it included a few rather modest updates. With the new version, support for physical security keys was added, and the Advanced Data Protection for iCloud feature that was introduced to customers in the United States in iOS 16.2 was made available to users all over the world. As iOS 16.4 was released at the end of March, it included a plethora of new emoji in addition to the improvements and fixes that had been included before. At this point, it is iOS 16.5 and the rather limited number of improvements that it offers.
Evaluation of iOS 16: Opinions
As I said at the beginning of my review of iOS 16, I have already upgraded all of my mobile devices to the new version, and I have no intention of going back. Even after it has been updated to iOS 16.5, I believe that there may be a few issues here and there. On the other hand, I am more certain than ever before that the advantages of having iOS 16 installed on my iPhone much exceed the drawbacks that are associated with the introduction of a new software version. Upon upgrading, I anticipate that you will have the same feelings.
iOS 16 is not a revolutionary rethinking of Apple’s iPhone software; rather, it is a smart augmentation of the features that are already there in the iPhone. Even better are the applications that you have grown to depend on, newer features have been fine-tuned, and new additions have been incorporated so seamlessly that it seems as if they have always been there. It is impossible to ask for more from an upgrade to iOS.
