Forget About iOS 17. Here’s 15 Cool Features in iOS 16 You Don’t Even Know About

As smartphone technology advances, so does the operating system that powers it. While many Apple users may be eagerly waiting for iOS 17, there’s still plenty to explore in the current iOS 16 that they might not be aware of. Here are 15 cool features in iOS 16 that could completely upgrade your iPhone experience.
1. Personalized Spatial Audio: iOS 16 allows you to tailor the spatial audio on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max to your hearing by using the TrueDepth camera to create a personal profile.
2. Live Text in Videos: Extending the Live Text feature, iOS 16 now recognizes text in paused video frames, making it possible for you to interact with it just like you would with text in photos.
3. Customizable Lock Screen: The lock screen is more customizable than ever, with widgets, new fonts, and the ability to set a photo shuffle as your wallpaper.
4. Focus Filters: Focus modes now come with filters that tailor supported apps to reduce distractions depending on what focus you’ve set.
5. Undo Send in Messages: Sometimes we regret a message right after sending it. With Undo Send, you have a short window of time to retract an iMessage before it is read.
6. Scheduled Summary For Notifications: Distractions can also be minimized by scheduling a summary of notifications rather than having them trickle in throughout the day.
7. Fitness App for All iPhone Users: Previously only available to Apple Watch users, the Fitness app tracks your daily activity using your iPhone’s motion sensors.
8. Handoff in FaceTime: You can now transfer your FaceTime call from one device to another seamlessly without disconnecting.
9. iCloud Shared Photo Library: Family sharing takes a leap with a shared iCloud library that up to six family members can contribute to and enjoy.
10. New Siri Capabilities: Siri can now run Shortcuts immediately upon downloading an app without setup; also, you can hang up calls using a voice command (great when you’re hands-free).
11. Safety Check Feature: This privacy tool helps people in domestic or intimate partner violence situations quickly reset their device security settings.
12. Duplicate Detection in Photos App: The Photos app identifies duplicates so you can easily clean up your library, freeing up space and decluttering your albums.
13. Haptic Keyboard Feedback: When typing on the iPhone’s keyboard, haptic feedback gives a more tactile experience similar to physical keyboard presses.
14. Mail App Improvements: The Mail app has seen significant updates including undo send feature, follow-up reminders, and an improved search functionality.
15. Stage Manager on iPadOS (Bonus for iPad Users): Though technically not iOS 16, Stage Manager for iPadOS brings new multitasking capabilities showing how future updates might cross-pollinate between iOS and iPadOS.
These features showcase Apple’s commitment to continually refining their software and adding valuable functions for their user base—even if these additions fly under the radar at launch or are overshadowed by anticipation for future versions. Whether for productivity or pleasure, take some time to explore these features; there might just be several that change how you use your device every day.
