Apple Launches iOS 16 for iPhone

Alex Kerai Consumer Trends Reporter

Updated 27 October 2022

WhistleOut fast facts

iOS 16 is live for iPhones and iPads as of this week.
Some of the major new features include being able to unsend and edit iMessages, customizing the lock screen, creating focus filters, and easy sharing for photos.
The annual operating system update was previewed in June and officially launched in September.
iOS 16 supports devices from the iPhone 8 to the newly released iPhone 14.

Apple released the latest version of its mobile operating system—iOS 16.1—this past week. It includes features that Apple users have been requesting for years, including the ability to edit iMessages and a complete overhaul of the lock screen.

WhistleOut has covered the new iOS before, but we wanted to run you through the major changes and what you can expect with this new launch.

As always, there are some major new features in iOS 16:

Add widgets to lock screens and configure multiple lock screens to fit your needs. That way, you can have your work calendar and email up during the day, then swipe over to Twitter and Duolingo once it hits 5 p.m.
It’s now possible to edit, unsend, and revive iMessages, a feature users have long asked for. But there is a time limit on editing and unsending messages, so you have to act fast: you have 15 minutes for editing and two minutes for deleting messages.
Minimize distractions with custom focus modes that are adaptable to your needs. That means if you want to limit your work email and Slack during off-hours, you now can.
Like Google Maps before it, Apple Maps has now added stops. So, if you need to pick up a friend before going out to the movies, you can plan it all in one trip.
Easily set up a shared photo library to send photos to friends and family with one click. Plus, Apple Photos uses smart technology to include moments based on dates, location, and people.
Watch videos and listen to music with friends over iMessage and share files, reminders, and Safari tab groups for instant collaboration in your group chat.
Apple Mail finally catches up to Gmail with the ability to undo sends, schedule send, and easily follow up.
Connect your home and fitness to iPhone with a redesigned Home app and update Fitness apps for iPhone.
AI is making gains with the ability to copy subjects in a photo from the background and find the live text for videos.
And, of course, Apple made updates to its security with safety checks and rapid security responses.

There’s so much more that we couldn’t list here, and Apple is constantly making updates to the operating system.

What is iOS?

iOS is the annual operating system update that Apple releases, and iOS 16 is this year’s release. The new iOS was announced in June at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). The operating system officially launched for all iPhone users in September. It's the first iOS since 2007 to be supported only on iPhone, although iOS 16.1 introduced support for iPad.

If you’re ready to upgrade your iPhone software, you can go to Settings > General > Software Update and choose Download and Install to get the latest iOS (currently 16.1).

And what if you love the features listed here but your phone isn’t compatible with iOS 16—or you don’t have an iPhone? We’ve got you covered. We put together a list of our favorite Apple iPhones and we also covered the launch of the iPhone 14 back in September.

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Alex Kerai

Consumer Trends Reporter

As WhistleOut's Consumer Trends Reporter, Alex keeps up on the latest breaking mobile tech news in the U.S. and Canada, from smartphone development to network shutdowns. His work can be seen on The Penny Hoarder, Business.org, Biz2Credit, and more.

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