iOS 16 is out – here’s what you need to know about this iPhone update

If you’ve been running the Public Beta, move on, this isn’t for you. But if you’re one to wait for it to be official, or you’re someone who got a “Software Update” message and are wondering should you download it – let’s explain!

iOS is the software that all iPhones run on, and every year Apple tweaks it, adds new features and makes that new version available around the same time as the new iPhone.

This year, it’s iOS 16.

Will iOS 16 work on my phone?

Well, firstly, it has to be an iPhone. Putting that aside, iOS 16 will be compatible on iPhone 8, 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS and XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12 and 12 Mini, iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max, iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (3rd generation) and of course the new iPhone 14 models that launch this month and next will ship with iOS 16 on board.

That’s a lot of phones. Five years worth of phones in fact. So if you’re running the six year old iPhone 7 or something older, this one isn’t for you. And that’s down to the processing power of your phone – it just can’t handle some of the new features. Plus, your phone is six years old – what do you expect?

But your older phone won’t stop working, it just won’t get the new features.

How do I download iOS 16?

Easy! Jump into Settings, then General and look for Software Update. The latest version is there, just choose “Download and Install” and you’re off and running.

Download might take a while, your phone will then prepare the update and install. During the actual installation your phone will be unusable but that shouldn’t be more than half an hour or so.

Three cool features of iOS 16 you’ll want to try.

Visual Look Up

We’ve seen the genius of many modern smartphones and their Portrait modes, now take the processing power and smarts of your iPhone and have it work out what’s in a photo and allow you to select an item.

For example, let’s just say you got a photo with the CEO of Apple – but wanted to share it just as the two people, with no background. Common problem right?

Well, now you tap on a person in the photo and hold. iPhone will highlight the people and from there you can swipe up drag and drop it into another app, or just copy to the clipboard ready to paste.

It’s pretty cool. Expect a few photo clips in messages from your iOS 16 mates.

Lock Screens

Easily the standout feature of iOS 16, the new lock screens are great.

You can setup anything from a colourful screen, to emojis, the moon or planet earth and I think the most popular will be a Photo Shuffle.

Select a bunch of photos and each one appears in order every time you unlock your phone its a new wallpaper. Really cool.

Plus, you can customise the font of the clock and add loads of widgets. This has been a great change for me, as I glance at the phone more for info like meetings or alarms than ever without having to unlock the phone.

Deleting and Editing Messages

Of course most people will be wanting to test the ability to edit and delete already sent messages.

A word of warning though, it’s fraught with danger.

Both the sender and recipient must be using an iPhone which must be running iOS 16.

If that recipient has a Mac or iPad with Messages on it, that too needs to be the new and latest Operating System or those original messages will all appear there

So, take it easy out there folks – risky move.