Adeyemi Matthew 


Recently, Apple launched its most awaited iPhone 14 series along with AirPods Pro 2 and Apple Watch Series 8, Apple Watch SE 2 and Apple Watch Ultra. Apart from all these, the company also revealed the next big software update iOS 16 will soon be available for Apple smartphones and watchOS 9 for smartwatches.

Today, Apple plans to release software updates for its iPhone and smartwatch adding new features and designs for compatible devices.

Announced at the firm’s developer conference in June, iOS 16 and watchOS 9 totally change the lockscreen, attempt to destroy the much maligned password, revamp notifications, and add new watchfaces, new running statistics and more.

Here’s what you need to know about the updates.

When can I get it?

Downloads for iOS and watchOS updates usually start at about 6pm UK time (1pm in New York; 3am in Sydney). Unlike other manufacturers, all eligible Apple devices will be able to download and install the update the moment it is released rather than in a staggered fashion. Updates for Apple’s iPad range will be available later in the year.

Which devices can get it?

All Apple smartphones from 2017’s iPhone 8 or newer can install iOS 16. All Apple Watches from the 2018’s Series 4 or newer can install watchOS 9.

How do I get it?

Open the Settings app on an iPhone then navigate to General > Software Update. Tap install if available to download, verify and then reboot to install. You can also install the update via a Mac or iTunes on a Windows computer.

WatchOS 9 requires an iPhone 8 or later to be running iOS 16 first. Then open the Watch app and navigate to General > Software Update to begin the installation. You will need to put the smartwatch on its charger to complete the update.

How much will it cost?

The update is free from Apple. If you are being asked to pay for an update, it is likely to be a scam.

The redesigned lockscreen adds more information and better notification stacking for a more modern design. Photograph: Apple

iOS 16

New lockscreen design

The lockscreen has been revamped, with much greater personalisation and a change in the way notifications are displayed.

By default it now displays the date, time and a row of information widgets at the top with notifications filing in groups from the bottom of the screen. You can change the typeface and colour of the time, add other information alongside the date, and customise the wallpaper with a 3D effect for some images or a slideshow of photos.

Live activities, such as sports scores or music playing, sit above the notification stack at the bottom of the screen, making them easier to reach with one hand.

You can also have multiple lockscreens and tie them to focus modes so that you could, for instance, have one for work and one for personal time. New “focus filters” can hide distracting content from apps, such as blocking messages from work colleagues when off the clock.

Passkeys

Digital keys authenticated by your face or fingerprint on an iPhone can be used to sign into websites, apps and services instead of using a password. It will work on non-Apple products, such as logging into a smart TV by scanning a QR code with the iPhone and then confirming with your face or finger.

Passkeys are synced using iCloud Keychain and can be recovered if you lose or break your iPhone.

Edit iMessages and unsend from Mail

Sent messages can now be edited or removed, for example when you’ve sent something to the wrong group, within the first 15 minutes. You can also mark messages as unread for later, as you might an email.

Search in the Mail app has been improved and you can now cancel the sending of an email within 10 seconds. Mail will also pop up a warning if you forget to attach something to an email or fail to add a recipient using machine learning.

Objects can be isolated from their backgrounds and copied from images in the photos, screenshots, previews, Safari and others. Photograph: Samuel Gibbs/The Guardian

Automatically cut out objects from images

You can copy objects from the foreground of images, such as pets, plants, people and products and then paste or share them into other apps, documents or messages.

This is in addition to identifying, copying text and other elements, but requires an iPhone XS or newer.

You can also type and dictate at the same time on the keyboard, and insert emojis via voice. The translate app can also use the camera to live translate text or find text in photos.

Faster security updates

Apple has decoupled security updates from full iOS updates, allowing it to release bug fixes faster and have them automatically install on user iPhones. Face ID will also now work when the phone is held in landscape orientation.

How to install iOS 16

Installing iOS 16 shouldn't be a tough task. In fact, a decision to install it is a bigger question to be asked. While some are the early adopters and they install the update right away, others prefer to wait for 2-3 days to play safe and check for any reported bugs and problems. Apple is usually on their toes to mitigate reported problems and they are quickly resolved with hotfix.

  • The first thing you should do is to backup your data. Whether or not iOS 16 has bugs remains to be seen, but the best way to protect your data and not risk losing it is the best way to go about installing any update.
  • Make sure you have enough space for the update. Older models come with less storage options. Those who have their storage filled to the brim must free up some space for the update.
  • Juice up your iPhone model to 80 percent charge and make sure to connect to a fast Wi-Fi connection before you start the install process.
  • You can quickly ‘Download and Install' the iOS 16 update or you can also schedule it.
  • Apple provides options to install updates at later times. Some restless souls prefer to install the update as soon as they can to experience the new features, others can choose to install the update ‘Later', or overnight, or they can even ask the phone to remind you about installing the update later.
  • Reboot, and Viola! You are now running iOS 16 on your phone.


Three new watch faces and revamps of old ones with new colours and rich complications are included. Photograph: Apple

Watch OS 9

New watch faces and revamped old ones

Three new watch faces are available. Metropolitan is an analogue face with more customisation options, Playtime is a digital face from artist Joi Fulton, and Lunar includes the phases of the moon. Astronomy has been revamped, while you can now set coloured backgrounds on modular compact, modular and X-Large.

Notifications no longer take over the screen when you’re actively using it, appearing as smaller banners that can be expanded as they do on an iPhone. Apps running in the background are more prominent in the dock, while the calendar app has been revamped for better week and day views.

More running metrics, including power, and better summaries add to the Apple Watch’s fitness focus. Photograph: Apple

More running metrics and better workouts

The workout app has several enhancements. The watch can record running power without an accessory, and can show more metrics such as stride length, ground contact time, vertical oscillation and heart rate zones.

Workouts can be customised too, for intervals and other bits with alerts for pace, heart rate, cadence and power. Automatic transitions between running, cycling and swimming are now supported for multisport, while enhanced workout summaries provide more detail at the end.

Medication and sleep

The health app can now remind you to take medications and keep a log straight from the wrist. Sleep tracking is also improved, with stages and comparison charts in the app on the iPhone.