Here are a few new things coming in iOS 16 you may have missed

Estimated read time 6 min read


The first thing that Apple revealed at its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) keynote was iOS 16. This is a big release that brings even more customization features (FINALLY!) to the Lock Screen, as well as other improvements to Messages, Mail, Family Sharing, and more.

However, amid all of the major new features, there are still some smaller features that didn’t get the same amount of love on the big screen at Apple Park. Here are some new features in iOS 16 that you may have missed among the hype.

Apple occasionally offers updates to iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, tvOS, and macOS as closed developer previews or public betas. While the betas contain new features, they also contain pre-release bugs that can prevent the normal use of your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV, or Mac, and are not intended for everyday use on a primary device. That’s why we strongly recommend staying away from developer previews unless you need them for software development, and using the public betas with caution. If you depend on your devices, wait for the final release.

Better tools for the Mail app

During the keynote, Apple showed off new features for the Messages app that people have clamored over for years: edit messages and undo sent messages, and even mark entire conversation threads as unread to come back to later. But Apple didn’t show off the new capabilities that the Mail app also got, which can definitely help you become more productive with email.

New tools in Mail include scheduling emails ahead of time, so you won’t be disturbing someone when it’s the middle of the night, or even if they’re in a different time zone across the world. Another useful feature in the Mail app is the ability to cancel delivery of a message before it reaches the recipient’s inbox. This is something that you can do in the Gmail app, but now this will be in Apple’s Mail app on your best iPhone. While Apple doesn’t specifically say how long the window is open to rescind delivery of your email, I’d imagine that it’s only a very brief few seconds.

Other new features include Remind Later, so you can resurface a message at a later day and time of your choosing. In a lot of third-party email apps, such as Spark, this feature has existed as “Snooze,” so it’s not new — it’s just Apple is finally implementing it. And in my everlasting dread with dealing with dozens of PR emails, there will be a Follow Up suggestion in Mail to remind users to follow up on an email if there has yet to be a response. Search has been improved too.

Standalone Fitness app coming to iPhone

While the Fitness app isn’t new, up until now it has only shown up on iOS if you have an Apple Watch paired with your best iPhone. But with iOS 16, this is changing — the Fitness app will be available for everyone, with or without a current Apple Watch.

With the standalone Fitness app, those without an Apple Watch are able to set a daily Move goal for active calories. Using the sensors on the iPhone, one can track steps, distance, flights climbed, and workouts from third-party apps, and all of this translates into calories for the Move ring.

Personalized Spatial Audio

While it made a brief appearance in the overall iOS 16 feature tiles, one could have easily glossed over the new Personalized Spatial Audio feature. This brand new feature will utilize the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone to create a personal Spatial Audio profile for the user, which results in a custom listening experience. This will be great if you plan to watch or listen to audio with a pair of headphones like AirPods Max.

SharePlay improvements

SharePlay is a relatively new feature that was added in iOS 15, but it’s getting improved in iOS 16. There will be a section in FaceTime that shows all of your SharePlay-enabled apps, making it easier to know what you can SharePlay with friends and family. Plus, SharePlay will also be integrated right into the Messages app, so you can SharePlay and chat.

Multiple stops in a Maps route

One of the biggest issues with the Maps app has been the inability to have multiple stops when getting turn-by-turn directions. This is changing in iOS 16. While it was mentioned in the event, I think it’s worth reiterating, because this is big. And not just one or two extra stops — Apple is giving you up to 15 stops on your route with the Multistop feature. You can also use Siri to add more stops along the route as you see fit.

It is also good to know that you can plan your route in advance in macOS Ventura, and then your route will sync back to your iPhone with iOS 16, ready to go.

Restrict news in the Today view in Apple News

While Apple covered some big Sports coverage in Apple News, there’s something else that wasn’t announced. That’s right — you can restrict the news that you see on the Today screen. However, if you block news items, a blank box will be there instead as of right now.

Haptic keyboard feedback and Quick Note

We’ve gotten audio feedback while typing on the iOS keyboard for years. But sometimes we just need a little more. Turns out that iOS 16 has added haptic keyboard feedback, so you can make sure that each keystroke hits the mark. And finally, iOS 16 is bringing Quick Note, previously an iPadOS-only feature, to the iPhone. Perhaps it’s about time for the iPhone to have an Apple Pencil of its own?

Are you excited for iOS 16?

iOS 16 looks like an exciting release that will embrace our favorite iPhones this fall. However, if you are in the Apple Developer Program, you can go download the developer beta for iOS 16 right now and test out the new features yourself! But remember, we recommend using a secondary device if you can, unless you just love to live dangerously…

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