Apple’s New iOS 16: Everything We Know About It

Apple’s next operating system update, iOS 16, is set to arrive with a slew of new features.

Apple finally unveiled the new iOS 16 at their annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) on June 6, 2022. While the company had already previewed some of the new features, they were also holding back some of the best upgrades until their release date. 

Some of these updates include Siri upgrades and a new Home app that allows users to control all of their smart home devices from one location instead of using each device’s app separately.

Introduction

In just about a month, Apple is going to take its stage again. This time it’s for an event specifically focused on Apple’s software. iOS 16 changed many people’s life.

So far, we have learned that there will be new versions of all three operating systems – iOS, OS X, and watchOS – but so far we don’t know anything else other than there will be some sort of FaceTime update on Mac. That said, with each WWDC keynote getting more exciting than last year, our expectations are high.

Let’s start with what we know for sure. In early September, Apple released a public beta of iOS 16—so anyone who has signed up to test pre-release versions of software on their iPhones and iPads can check out some of its new features. 

Anyone else will have to wait until September 19, when Apple is expected to formally unveil its new mobile operating system at an event in San Francisco.

 And then there are things we think we know about it based on reports from Bloomberg, Reuters, and others covering what they’ve heard behind closed doors.

Let’s see what we can expect from ios 16 and how it could benefit us as users. Here is everything you need to know about iOS 16.

What iOS 16 offers

One of them will allow you to work more efficiently across multiple devices. Others will add new capabilities to iMessage and Siri. 

The newest version of Apple’s mobile software also will include changes designed to make your phone more secure and your battery life last longer. Here’s what we know about it so far—and everything that could still change.

Another feature Apple is adding to iMessage with iOS 16 will be a way to send money through chat. A pre-release screenshot shared in April by developer Steven Troughton-Smith showed a message that featured an Apple Pay payment button inside iMessage. 

The company’s payment service could allow people to settle things as mundane as lunch bills—or as expensive as backpacking trip fees—without opening up their wallets or finding an ATM.

If you’re concerned about software updates causing unexpected bugs, these proactive patches should make your phone more stable and secure over time.

What you should expect

Apple’s 2022 Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off Monday, June 6. You can expect to hear details about updates to Apple’s software and operating systems—and we do mean ALL of them. The company typically shows off new versions of iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS—and that includes what’s going on under the hood. 

While not every single feature is typically discussed by name at WWDC, you can bet we’ll see changes in features like Siri, Continuity (e.g., Handoff), iTunes Match, AirPlay, and iCloud during 2022’s WWDC keynote event. 

If there are any hardware announcements, they’re usually saved for a separate media event later in June or early July. In other words, don’t hold your breath for any new hardware at WWDC.

A few things you might want to know: If you’re a developer looking forward to learning more about how to build apps for Apple’s platforms, pay attention during Apple’s What’s New in Cocoa Touch? Session.

And if you’re an iPhone or iPad user, remember to keep your Apple ID handy. You might want to sign up for Apple’s developer program so you can install pre-release versions of all those upcoming updates. And who knows?

How to update your iPhone

To update your iPhone, you’ll need to plug it into iTunes (or open iTunes on your computer) and then follow these steps: Download and install Apple’s latest version of iTunes from here. 

You can download iTunes for free just from Apple’s website. Once you have installed or updated iTunes on your computer, connect your iPhone via a USB cable. 

Click Check for Update in iTunes if it doesn’t prompt you automatically. You should see an update available for your device; click Download and Update.

What are the new features?

Apple revealed its newest operating system, dubbed iOS 16, at its Worldwide Developers Conference on June 6. While some of these features were previously announced (such as person-to-person Apple Pay payments and better health tracking), there is still plenty that we don’t know much about.

The addition of virtual reality to Apple devices was announced at WWDC in 2022, but we haven’t heard much about it since. But iOS 16 features are very powerful and awesome.

And it may be a while before we see what that looks like in reality because there was no mention of VR or augmented reality in any of Tim Cook’s announcements on stage. 

Though he did say that developers will have an incredible platform for doing incredible things, so perhaps that is a hint at what we’ll see in future operating systems.

Another new feature Apple revealed was person-to-person Apple Pay payments. The process will be similar to paying someone with Venmo or PayPal, except that instead of having to go through another service like those two, you’ll be able to just use your iPhone. 

This is a convenient way for friends and family members to share bills and make purchases among themselves. And it should come in handy when you want to pay someone back but don’t feel like sending an email or iMessage every time.

How much will it cost?

Apple hasn’t announced pricing for new iPhone software and has long preferred to charge existing customers for upgrades rather than locking them into a monthly fee as Google does with Android. 

For example, iOS 10 was free for all users and last year Apple charged $19.99 (it later dropped to $9.99) in order to install its latest update, which launched on September 13th alongside new iPhone models. 

With that said, Apple has included some major changes in its latest beta version of iOS 16 and could choose to recoup costs by charging early adopters more money than those who wait to update their devices down the road. Still, we’re not expecting any price shocker here.

Once again, an Apple spokesperson said …updates are free for all users… so if you’re unsure about how much these updates will cost, don’t worry!

Will you need to update your devices?

If you’re on a newer device, there’s no need to worry—your iDevices will already be compatible with iOS 16. However, if you’re on an older version, you may want to consider updating before upgrading (although it is not required). 

That said, if your iDevice can’t be updated, fear not—iOS updates are free for all users. Simply go to Settings and then choose General. From there, choose Software Update and then follow along from there. 

Don’t worry; there shouldn’t be any additional fees associated with updating or upgrading your device. Apple has made it clear that these updates are available for everyone; regardless of what type of iDevice you have or where you live in the world!

Once you’ve chosen to update, you’ll need to decide how. There are three ways of updating or upgrading your iDevice, including: use iTunes on your computer, install it via WiFi or set up a direct connection with your computer and iDevice.

The method you choose depends on what type of device you have and where you live in relation to Apple. However, Apple has made sure that regardless of which method you choose there should be no additional charges associated with updating your device!

Should I upgrade?

There are several reasons you might want to upgrade, starting with big changes and enhancements to Siri, Apple Music, Maps, and Photos. Just know that future software updates may not be compatible with older devices.

But if you’re not into that whole multitasking thing or have always skipped iCloud Photo Library because it didn’t work well with your computer setup (or if you just have a bunch of large videos on your iPhone that already takes forever to sync), it’s probably fine to skip ahead a few versions. 

If you do decide to upgrade your device from something older than an iPhone 5S or iPad mini 2—which I don’t recommend!—keep in mind that apps designed for newer hardware won’t run well on older devices until developers redesign them for those systems.

Even if you’re one of those people who doesn’t mind skipping versions, remember that future software updates may not be compatible with older devices. iOS 16 is amazing and very powerful.

Also, apps designed for newer hardware won’t run well on older devices until developers redesign them for those systems. So even if you are able to upgrade to a new version of iOS, your iPhone or iPad will still only run software designed for a device it was originally designed for. 

If you want to get in on all of those cool features and see what everyone else is talking about, go ahead and upgrade!