It’s been two weeks since the stable version of iOS 16 was released. While iOS 16 has its fair share of bugs, there are certain features that cannot be overlooked. However, these iOS 16 hidden features are not obscured from view.
iOS 16 has been installed on my iPhone 12 Mini. Initially, I believed that pushing notifications to the bottom of the screen was detrimental to my phone. However, it has grown on me, and I am now able to look past its flaws to appreciate that it has some qualities that I really enjoy.
The iOS 16 update is simple. Check our list of iPhones compatible with iOS 16 to see if yours will receive the update. However, before you go hunting for Easter eggs, we’ve compiled a list of all the known iO,S 16 bugs.
Still decided to install it? It’s amazing! Here are ten hidden iOS 16 features that you’ll appreciate once you discover them.
iOS 16 Hidden Features
1. Spotlight Search at the foot of the page
The dots at the bottom of your iPhone’s home screen now serve a different function. In addition to displaying the number of app pages, you can tap on them to initiate a search.
Unlike the previously mentioned features, this hidden iOS 16 feature is useful for iPhone Pro Max owners.
2. Fading image as Safari background
The wallpapers included with iOS 16 are not limited to the lock screen and the home screen. While the notifications are being grouped at the bottom, the wallpaper should be displayed more clearly. Now, when you launch Safari, the wallpaper will appear in the background.
It is slightly faded, and if you keep your phone in the dark mode, you are likely to miss it. It is preferable to view an empty Safari window if you forget what you were searching for immediately after opening the browser.
3. Copies and deletions of screenshots
If you frequently take screenshots, a new, useful option is now available when you do so. When you tap the ‘Done’ button immediately after opening a screenshot, the “Copy and Delete” option will appear.
This copies the screenshot to the clipboard and deletes it from the device. By doing so, you’ll reduce the storage space and clutter in your photos app.
4. Astronomical and meteorological contexts
I’m sure you’ve noticed it, and I’m also aware that many people use it. It is an attractive wallpaper with a contemporary twist. If you use a wide-angle view of Earth, the sun moves throughout the day. Again, it is not much, but it is visually pleasing.
In addition to the astronomy wallpaper, there is a weather wallpaper. This also modifies the background to reflect the current weather. When testing iOS 16 beta on my iPhone, I used the weather background. This backdrop frequently informed me of cloudy or rainy weather, which is comforting to see.
P.S. Rain looks incredible on the weather wallpaper, but both weather and astronomy wallpapers consume a substantial amount of battery. Therefore, if you own a Mini iPhone like I do, you should disable location services.
5. Landscape Face Identification
I placed this feature in the middle of this list because not all iOS 16 iPhones will support it. We have all accidentally locked our iPhones while watching a video at some point. I have enabled the back tap, which frequently interprets my fidgeting as a gesture and locks the phone.
Landscape Face ID will unlock your iPhone in landscape orientation. However, it will only be available on iPhone models 13 and later. Other than this limitation, Face ID has made significant progress.
6. Face recognition for Notes and Images
There are private notes and photographs that you may wish to conceal. With iOS 16, you can lock these with Face ID. Face ID can be used to access notes by tapping the three-dot menu and selecting the lock option. For Photos, select the image you wish to hide and then select Hide Photos from the three-dot menu in the bottom right corner.
7. When you access albums with hidden photos, Face ID will be used to display them.
Connect lock screens to Focus If you’re not using Focus on iOS 16, you’re missing out on a lot. Among the coolest hidden features is the ability to link wallpaper to Focus. For nighttime use, you can choose a wallpaper with a dimmer hue or a different wallpaper altogether.
It is more power-efficient than a live wallpaper such as astronomy, gives a fresh feeling, and aids in concentration. The most important aspect of a Focus-oriented lock screen, however, is the ability to set different widgets on different screens.
8. SIM-based filters within the Messages application
iOS 16 adds SMS filters based on the SIM card to the Messages app. Apple should have implemented this feature when it began supporting multiple SIM cards, but it’s better late than never. With iOS 16, it is simple to check SMS messages from various carriers.
Other than that, iOS was already equipped with transaction and promotion filters, which facilitated operations. Consequently, the presence of the SIM filter has improved the overall quality of Messages. One of the use cases is the ability to delete all messages from one carrier while retaining those from another.
9. Full-screen album cover
I consider myself a music enthusiast, and there is nothing better than a full-screen album cover on the lock screen. Simply tap the album art on the mini player, and it will fill the entire display. It is another attractive iOS 16 hidden feature.
I’ve tested this on Apple Music and Spotify. Please let me know in the comments if this works on any other music apps you employ.
10. Hey Siri, hang up
This feature will be useful if you are taking calls while moving and your hands are not free, even for the hands-free mode. Siri now allows you to end a call with a voice command. Simply say “Hey Siri, hang up,” but keep in mind that other call participants will hear you.
This feature can be enabled in Settings > Siri and Search > Call Hang up.
Additional iOS 16 secret features
These are the ten features that I believe look great and enhance the iOS 16 experience, but they are not the only ones. There are numerous under-the-hood enhancements that further enhance the user experience.
Here’s a quick list of ten additional iOS 16 features that I didn’t include in the main list.
- Battery percentage: You can now enable battery percentage in Settings > Battery to always know how much juice is remaining.
- Lock screen personalization: iOS 16 provides excellent screen personalization options. This includes updated backgrounds and widgets.
- Type alongside dictation: iOS 16 allows you to type while dictating. Therefore, if you believe the dictation may misspell a word, you can manually insert it without interrupting the flow.
- Safety Check: This feature allows you to secure your iPhone from other devices in the event that you believe your privacy has been compromised.
- Apple Watch Mirroring: iOS 16 allows users with limited mobility to control their Apple Watch from their iPhone’s display.
- FaceTime Handoff: Handoff is a cool feature for Apple ecosystem users. If you enable this feature, you can easily transfer a FaceTime call between your iPhone, Mac, and iPad.
- More customizable Memoji: iOS 16 adds six new Memoji poses. There are also new options for hairstyles and accessories.
- Shazam synchronization from the Control Center: Shazam has existed in the Control Center for some time. With iOS 16, your control center searches will be synchronized with the Shazam app.
- Visual Look Up: Isolate the subject of an image from its surrounding context. This feature allows you to create incredible WhatsApp stickers.
- Menstrual health tracking is one of the most significant iOS 16 updates. Apple’s menstrual health tracking is encrypted, private, and accurate in an age of privacy threats.
Currently, this is all we know about iOS 16’s hidden features. These are not exactly hidden, but you will encounter them once you begin using iOS. Please let me know in the comments which features you enjoy the most.
