Apple will release iOS 16 as a free update for iPhone 8 and newer on Monday, September 12. iOS 16 includes many new features such as temporarily editing or not sending iMessages from the customizable Lock Screen.
To install iOS 16 when the update is released, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update. Once you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 16, check out our list of six useful new features to try below.
Customize Lock Screen
The new feature of iOS 16 is the ability to customize the Lock Screen with multi-layered wallpapers, widgets, custom fonts for the date and time, and more. You can also choose a series of photos to shuffle on the Lock Screen throughout the day.
The new Lock Screen gallery offers a number of Lock Screen options, including a new Weather wallpaper with live weather conditions and an Astronomy wallpaper that provides Earth, Moon and Solar System views. iOS 16 includes support for multiple Lock Screen designs and lets you switch between your favorites with a swipe.
Related: How to customize the Lock Screen in iOS 16
Editing or Canceling an iMessage
iOS 16 introduces the ability to temporarily edit or unsend iMessage conversations and mark iMessage conversations as unread after opening them.
Apple allows you to edit an iMessage up to 15 minutes after you send it, and up to five edits are allowed per message. Recipients can see a record of edits made to the message, and on devices running iOS 15 or earlier, edited messages are received as a new message that reads “Where to edit.” [new message]”
To edit a message or cancel sending, press and hold a bubble and select the appropriate option from the menu that appears. Edited iMessages are marked as “edited” below the message bubble. SMS messages (green bubbles) cannot be edited or sent.
Use Full Screen Music Player
iOS 16 reintroduces a full-screen music player to the Lock Screen with large album art and color-matched wallpaper.
Apple last introduced a full-screen music player on the Lock Screen in iOS 10 back in 2016. If you don’t like this feature, you can tap the bottom of the screen to minimize the music player and go back to your standard Lock Screen wallpaper. .
Gaming with Nintendo Joy-Cons
iPhones offer support for many additional Bluetooth game controllers in iOS 16, including the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons and Pro Controller. iPhones running iOS 16 can be used with a single left or right Joy-Cons, or both as a single controller.
This is on top of the iPhone’s current compatibility with PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers since the release of iOS 14.5 last year.
Track an Apple Payment Order
Apple Pay in iOS 16 has new built-in order tracking information in the Wallet app for online orders completed via Apple Pay. The tracker provides the estimated delivery date of an order and shows when a package will be delivered.
Cover Your Rings Without Apple Watch
Starting with iOS 16, the Fitness app is now available to all users on iPhone, even if they don’t have an Apple Watch. The app features a daily Activity ring that relies on the iPhone’s motion sensors to estimate a person’s calories burned and their daily steps.
During the iPhone 14 event, Apple announced that the Fitness+ service will be available to iPhone users without an Apple Watch this year in 21 countries where the service is available. Fitness+ is priced at $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year.
