Here are all of iOS 16's best new features

From editing iMessages to using Live Captions on FaceTime, we've got how-to guides for it all.

Mashable SEA Sept. 8, 2022

Here are all of iOS 16's best new features

With the iPhone 14 lineup making its official debut, a new software update is close behind it.

iOS 16 will be officially ready for download on Sept. 12, and it will be compatible with iPhones 8 and newer as well as the second and third generation iPhone SE. While the latest iPhones are pricey as ever, the software update is, as always, a nice free way to feel like your older phone just got a face lift. And that will particularly be the case with this update, as the Lock Screen will feature an entirely new look. Below, we break down how to use all of iOS 16's most exciting and useful features in handy, step-by-step guides.

How to edit your Lock Screen

From dynamic photo effects to changing your fonts, the first look at your phone will never be the same. In addition to making aesthetic changes like choosing a custom emoji background pattern, you can also add useful features like widgets. Once you're done setting up your perfect Lock Screen, you can also link it to a specific Focus Mode, like Do Not Disturb, so you can associate phone certain settings with certain life settings.

How to use iMessage's new features

The new software update gives those prone to typos or regretful texts a second (or third, or fourth...) chance. Whether you need to undo a sent message, edit a mistake in a message, or just mark a message unread to remind yourself to reply later, texting just got a lot more complicated. Just remember: All of these new features only work if your recipient also has iOS 16 downloaded, so don't try to get too sneaky! You can also stream videos or music in sync with others through SharePlay now on iMessage.

How to make your iPhone more accessible

Among iOS 16's updates is a whole host of new accessibility features. Live Captions will transcribe FaceTime calls on the spot, making it easier to communicate with the hard-of-hearing community via iPhone. The updated sound recognition tool will also let users create custom sounds to be alerted to if heard in their home. And the new door detection tool housed in the Magnifier app will help blind folks navigate unfamiliar settings a little easier.

How to level up your photo game

For those who often edit their photos to give off a specific vibe, those edits can now be applied much quicker. The ability to copy and paste photo edits can apply a batch of aesthetic edits from one photo to another, similar to creating a custom filter. Once you've got a batch of perfect photos, you can add them all to a shared iCloud Library rather than sending them individually to a bunch of friends and family — because be honest: Who has time for that?

How to make your iPhone even more useful

If you're a sports fan, you likely already have a million sports apps downloaded to your phone. But what if you could just follow all of the updates on your favorite sports teams in one place? Well, aren't you lucky!

And finally, if you tend to take a ton of photos and videos of things you might need later — think phone numbers, addresses, recipes — Live Text for video is eliminating the need to memorize the data from the video before actually using it, which is win for lazy people everywhere.