The Apple Worldwide Developer Conference, or WWDC, is an annual event where the company unveils new software and hardware. This year’s conference was no exception, with the announcement of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS 13 Ventura, and watchOS 9. While these updates bring a number of new features to Apple’s platforms, there are also a number of features that were not discussed at the event.
Here are eleven hidden iOS 16 features you may not have heard about yet.
Recover Recently Deleted Messages
If you accidentally delete a message or conversation on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, previously, there was no way to get it back except through iCloud backup or a third-party app. However, with iOS 16, Apple has added a new feature to the messaging app. Besides being able to unsend or edit a message, you can recover recently deleted messages from your iPhone for up to 30 days without needing a backup or third-party app. This method is less time-consuming and more reliable than the conventional ones used by Apple in previous iOS versions.
View Saved Wi-Fi Passwords (At Last)
One of the most frequently requested features for iOS is the ability to view saved Wi-Fi passwords. With iOS 16, it is finally possible. Just follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi.
- Tap on the info icon next to the Wi-Fi network for which you want to view the password.
- Tap View Password. You may be prompted to enter your passcode or Face ID/Touch ID at this point.
Face ID in Landscape Mode
If you have an iPhone with Face ID (which is all iPhones released since the iPhone X), you can use it to unlock your device in landscape mode in iOS 16. This was not possible in previous versions of iOS.
Although iPad Pro users have been enjoying this feature, it wasn’t available on iPhones. Now, users can easily unlock their iPhones while playing a game or watching a video in landscape mode.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and turn on the Use Face ID in Landscape option.
Blur the Foreground in Portrait Mode
You can now blur the foreground to create a shallow depth of field effect in the Portrait mode on your iPhone. This is similar to the “bokeh” effect you can achieve with DSLR cameras.
To enable this feature, go to Settings > Camera and turn on the Background Blur option.
This feature will be available in the iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Although there was no indication of this feature in the iPhone 14 Pro Accidental Leaks and Rumors, it may be included in the all-new iPhone 14 lineup.
Haptic Feedback in the Stock Keyboard
The stock keyboard in iOS 16 includes haptic feedback, which can help you feel the keys as you type. This feature can be turned on or off in the Settings app. To turn on haptic feedback:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap General
- Tap Keyboard
- Turn on the switch for Haptic Feedback
Now, when you type on the stock keyboard, you should feel a faint vibration with each keypress. This can help you become more aware of your finger placement and improve your typing accuracy. While it is not an essential feature, and you can get the essence from Gboard, it is exciting to have it integrated into Apple’s stock keyboard.
Memoji Contact Stickers
With iOS 16, you can now add Memoji contact stickers to your iPhone. If you have an iPhone with a Face ID, you can use Memoji in the Messages app and the Clips app.
You can also use Memoji as contact icons in the Phone app. To add Memoji contact stickers in the Contacts app, follow these steps:
- Open the Contacts app and tap a contact
- Tap Edit in the upper-right corner of the screen
- Scroll down and tap Add Photo or Video. If you don’t see this option, tap Edit
- Tap the Memoji that you want to use as a contact sticker
- Click Done to save your changes
The iOS 16 update brings 17 new hairstyles, lip colors, headwear, and three new poses.
Artists and Playlist Sorting in Apple Music
Apple Music has also been updated with new features in iOS 16. You can now add your favorite artists to your list directly from the artist’s page. This feature makes it easier to find their music in the Apple Music app. To favorite an artist:
- Open the Apple Music app and tap Browse
- Tap Artists at the top of the screen
- Tap the artist that you want to favorite, then tap Done
To view your list of favorite artists, tap Library at the bottom of the screen, then tap Artists. Your favorite artists will be listed at the top of the screen.
Smart Folders in the Notes App
In iOS 16, the Notes app includes new filters for smart folders. You can now filter by date, title, or keyword. To use the new filters:
- Open the Notes app and tap the folder you want to view
- Tap Filter at the top of the screen
- Tap Date, Title, or Keyword to filter by that criteria
- Enter your search criteria and tap Done
Detect Duplicates and Copy Edits
The Photos app in iOS 16 includes new features that can help you manage your photo library. You can now detect duplicates and copy edits in the app. To use these features:
- Open the Photos app and tap Albums at the bottom of the screen
- Tap Duplicates or Copy Edits
- Select the photos that you want to delete or copy, then tap Done
- To delete duplicates, tap Delete Duplicates. To copy edits, tap Copy Edits
Improved Organization in Reminders App
The Reminders app in iOS 16 has been updated with new features to help you better organize your Today and Scheduled lists. You can now sort items by priority, due date, or list. Today’s list will let you group reminders by the time of the day. On the other hand, the Scheduled list organization will also become easier with the option of grouping by weeks and months.
New features in Visual Look Up
Visual Look Up in iOS 16 has been updated with new features. You can now see more information about an image, including the title, source, and license. Moreover, the update allows the app to recognize insects, birds, and statues beside the landmark, animals, and flowers already present.
It is important to note that this feature is only available on iPhone models having an A12 Bionic chip or later. Moreover, it is only supported in the following languages and regions:
- English (Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, UK, US)
- French (France)
- German (Germany)
- Italian (Italy)
- Japanese (Japan)
- Spanish (Mexico, Spain, US)
