Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.6.1
Typically Apple releases its software at the same time each year, so it's reasonable to expect the macOS Big Sur release date to fall somewhere in September or October 2020. IOS 14 release date, features, compatibility: iPhone 6S series may no longer be supported in the next OS update From an iOS 13 video guide Photo credit: Apple Support/YouTube screenshot. All testing conducted by Apple in August 2020 using iPhone 11 Pro Max supporting normal peak performance with iOS 13.6.1 and prerelease iOS 14 using the built-in Camera app with Live Photo enabled. Performance varies based on specific configuration, content, battery health, usage, software versions, lighting, environmental conditions, and other.
IOS 14 release date. Developer beta: June 22, the day of WWDC 2020; Public beta: July 9; Final version: September 16 (Image credit: Apple). IMac 2020 release date. Renders from iFinder on Twitter show us what that Apple’s next all-in-one machine might look like with a more conventional design update.
iPadOS 13.6.1 addresses an issue where unneeded system data files might not be automatically deleted when available storage is low and includes other bug fixes for your iPad. Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.6
iPadOS 13.6 introduces local news in your Today feed in Apple News and includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad.
Apple News
Local news in your Today feed provides extensive coverage of San Francisco, the Bay Area, Los Angeles, Houston, and New York City
More stories available from local news providers with a subscription to Apple News+
Your daily newsletter from Apple News can now be personalized with stories that reflect your interests
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements.
Adds a new setting to choose if updates automatically download to your device when on Wi-Fi
Addresses an issue that could cause apps to become unresponsive when syncing data from iCloud Drive
Resolves an issue that could cause the software keyboard to appear unexpectedly when connected to certain third-party hardware keyboards
Fixes an issue that could cause Japanese hardware keyboards to be incorrectly mapped as a U.S. keyboard
Addresses stability issues when accessing Control Center when Assistive Touch was enabled
Provides a mechanism for administrators to specify domains to exclude from traffic carried by always-on VPN connections
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.5.1
iPadOS 13.5.1 provides important security updates and is recommended for all users.
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222 Do your data recovery professional 7 2 free.
iPadOS 13.5
iPadOS 13.5 speeds up access to the passcode field on devices with Face ID when you are wearing a face mask and introduces an option to control automatic prominence of video tiles on Group FaceTime calls. This update includes bug fixes and other improvements.
Face ID and Passcode
Simplified unlock process for devices with Face ID when you are wearing a face mask
Passcode field automatically presented after swiping up from the bottom of the Lock screen when you are wearing a face mask
Also works when authenticating with the App Store, Apple Books, Apple Pay, iTunes, and other apps that support signing in with Face ID
FaceTime
Option to control automatic prominence on Group FaceTime calls so video tiles do not change size when a participant speaks
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements.
Fixes an issue where users may see a black screen when trying to play streaming video from some websites
Addresses an issue in the share sheet where suggestions and actions may not load
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.4.1
iPadOS 13.4.1 includes bug fixes for your iPad.
Fixes an issue where devices running iPadOS 13.4 could not participate in FaceTime calls with devices running iOS 9.3.6 and earlier or OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 and earlier
Addresses an issue on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd generation) where the flashlight may not turn on after tapping the Flashlight button in Control Center or on the Lock screen
Addresses a bug with the Settings app where choosing Bluetooth from the quick actions menu on the Home screen would fail
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.4
iPadOS 13.4 introduces support for mouse and trackpad with iPad for greater precision and navigating the system with Multi-Touch gestures, and adds iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app and new Memoji stickers. This update also contains bug fixes and improvements.
Mouse and Trackpad Support
All-new cursor design highlights app icons on the Home Screen and Dock and buttons and controls in apps
Magic Keyboard for iPad support on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later) and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation or later)
Magic Mouse, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad, Magic Trackpad 2, and third-party Bluetooth and USB mouse support
Multi-Touch gestures on Magic Keyboard for iPad and Magic Trackpad 2 enable you to scroll, swipe between app spaces, go Home, access App Switcher, zoom in or out, tap to click, secondary click (right-click), and swipe between pages
Multi-Touch gestures on Magic Mouse 2 enable you to scroll, secondary click (right-click), and swipe between pages
Files
iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app
Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link
Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files
Memoji
Nine new Memoji stickers, including Smiling Face with Hearts, Hands Pressed Together, and Party Face
Mail
Always-visible controls to delete, move, reply to, or compose a message in conversation view
Responses to encrypted emails are automatically encrypted when you have configured S/MIME
App Store with Apple Arcade
Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
AR Quick Look supports audio playback in USDZ files
Keyboard
Live Conversion for Zhuyin automatically transforms Zhuyin into the correct characters without pressing the space bar to convert text or select candidates
Live Conversion for Japanese automatically transforms Hiragana into the correct characters without pressing the space bar to convert text or select candidates
Predictive typing support for Arabic
Swiss German keyboard layout supported on iPad Pro 12.9-inch
On-screen keyboard layout for iPad Pro 12.9-inch now matches Smart Keyboard
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:
Fixes an issue in Camera where the viewfinder may appear as a black screen after launch
Addresses an issue where Photos may appear to use excess storage
Resolves an issue in Photos that may prevent sharing an image to Messages if iMessage is disabled
Fixes an issue in Mail where messages may appear out of order
Addresses an issue in Mail where the conversation list may display empty rows
Resolves an issue where Mail may crash when tapping the Share button in Quick Look
Fixes an issue in Settings where cellular data may incorrectly display as off
Addresses an issue in Safari where webpages may not be inverted when both Dark Mode and Smart Invert are active
Resolves an issue where text copied from web content in a third-party app may appear invisible when pasted if Dark Mode is active
Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly
Addresses an issue where Reminders may not issue new notifications for an overdue recurring reminder until it is marked as completed
Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminders
Fixes an issue where iCloud Drive appears to be available in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote even when not signed in
Addresses an issue in Apple Music where music videos may not stream in high quality
Addresses an issue in the Home app where tapping an activity notification from a security camera may open a different recording
Resolves an issue where Shortcuts may not appear when tapping on the Share menu from a screenshot
Improves the Burmese keyboard so punctuation symbols are now accessible from numbers and symbols
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.3.1
iPadOS 13.3.1 includes bug fixes and improvements. This update:
Fixes an issue in Communication Limits that could allow a contact to be added without entering the Screen Time passcode
Addresses an issue with Mail that could cause remote images to load even when the “Load Remote Images” setting is disabled
Fixes an issue that could cause multiple undo dialogs to appear in Mail
Resolves an issue where push notifications could fail to be delivered over Wi-Fi
Introduces support for Indian English Siri voices for HomePod
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.3
iPadOS 13.3 includes improvements, bug fixes and additional parental controls for Screen Time.
Screen Time
New parental controls provide more communication limits over who their children can call, FaceTime, or Message
Contact list for children lets parents manage the contacts that appear on their children’s devices
Apple News
New layout for Apple News+ stories from The Wall Street Journal and other leading newspapers
Easily like or dislike stories with a tap
Stocks
Stories from Apple News are now available in Canada in English and French
Continue reading with links to related stories or more stories from the same publication
“Breaking” and “Developing” labels for Top Stories
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:
Enables the creation of a new video clip when trimming a video in Photos
Adds support for NFC, USB, and Lightning FIDO2-compliant security keys in Safari
Fixes issues in Mail that may prevent downloading new messages
Addresses an issue that prevented deleting messages in Gmail accounts
Resolves issues that could cause incorrect characters to display in messages and duplication of sent messages in Exchange accounts
Fixes an issue where the cursor may not move after long pressing on the space bar
Addresses an issue that may cause screenshots to appear blurry when sent via Messages
Resolves an issue where cropping or using Markup on screenshots may not save to Photos
Fixes an issue where Voice Memos recordings may not be able to be shared with other audio apps
Resolves an issue where the Cellular Data setting may incorrectly show as off
Fixes an issue that prevented turning off Dark Mode when Smart Invert was enabled
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.2.3
iPadOS 13.2.3 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad. This update:
Fixes an issue where system search and search within Mail, Files, and Notes might not work
Addresses an issue where photos, links, and other attachments might not display in the Messages details view
Fixes an issue that could prevent apps from downloading content in the background
Resolves issues that may prevent Mail from fetching new messages, and fail to include and quote original message content in Exchange accounts
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.2.2
iPadOS 13.2.2 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad. This update:
Fixes an issue that could cause apps to quit unexpectedly when running in the background
Fixes an issue that caused replies to S/MIME encrypted email messages between Exchange accounts to be unreadable
Addresses an issue where using Kerberos single sign-on service in Safari may present an authentication prompt
Resolves an issue where charging may be interrupted on Yubikey Lightning-powered accessories
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.2
iPadOS 13.2 introduces updated and additional emoji, Announce Messages for AirPods, support for AirPods Pro, HomeKit Secure Video, HomeKit enabled routers, and new Siri privacy settings. This update also includes bug fixes and improvements.
Over 70 new or updated emoji, including animals, food, activities, new accessibility emoji, gender neutral emoji, and skin tones selection for couple emoji
AirPods support
Announce Messages with Siri to read your incoming messages aloud to your AirPods
AirPods Pro support
Home App
HomeKit Secure Video enables you to privately capture, store, and view encrypted video from your security cameras and features people, animal, and vehicle detection
HomeKit enabled routers put you in control of what your HomeKit accessories communicate with over the internet or in your home
Siri
Privacy settings to control whether or not to help improve Siri and Dictation by allowing Apple to store audio of your Siri and Dictation interactions
Option to delete your Siri and Dictation history from Siri Settings
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:
Fixes an issue that may prevent passwords from autofilling in 3rd party apps
Resolves an issue that may prevent the keyboard from appearing when using Search
Fixes an issue where Messages would only send a single notification when the option to repeat alerts was enabled
Addresses an issue where Messages may display a phone number instead of a contact name
Resolves an issue that caused Contacts to launch to the previously opened contact instead of the contact list
Fixes an issue that may prevent Markup annotations from being saved
Resolves an issue where saved notes could temporarily disappear
Fixes an issue where iCloud Backup might not successfully complete after tapping Backup Now in Settings
Improves performance when using AssistiveTouch to activate App Switcher
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.1.3
iPadOS 13.1.3 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad. This update:
Fixes an issue that may prevent opening a meeting invite in Mail
Fixes an issue where Voice Memos recordings may not download after restoring from iCloud Backup
Addresses an issue where apps might fail to download when restoring from iCloud Backup
Improves connection reliability of Bluetooth hearing aids and headsets
Addresses launch performance for apps that use Game Center
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.1.2
iPadOS 13.1.2 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad. This update:
Fixes a bug where the progress bar for iCloud Backup could continue to show after a successful backup
Fixes an issue where shortcuts could not be run from HomePod
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS 13.1.1
iPadOS 13.1.1 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPad. This update:
Fixes issues that could prevent iPad restoring from backup
Addresses an issue that could cause battery to drain more quickly
Resolves a problem where Safari search suggestions may re-enable after turning them off
Addresses an issue that could cause Reminders to sync slowly
Fixes a security issue for third-party keyboard apps
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
iPadOS
Home Screen
Today Widgets on the Home screen for at-a-glance information
A new layout to put even more apps on each page
Multitasking
Slide Over with support for multiple apps to access your favorite apps from anywhere in iPadOS and quickly switch between them
Multiple windows from a single app in Split View to work with two documents, notes, or emails, side-by-side
Enhanced Spaces to open the same app across multiple spaces
App Exposé to quickly see all of the open windows for an app
Apple Pencil
Lower latency with Apple Pencil, making it feel more responsive than ever
Redesigned tool palette, with a fresh new look, new tools, and the ability to drag to any side of the screen
A new gesture to mark up anything with a swipe from the bottom right or left corner of the screen with Apple Pencil
A new full page option to mark up entire web pages, Mail messages, iWork documents, and Maps
Text Editing
Scrollbar scrubbing to directly drag the scrollbar for quickly navigating long documents, web pages, and email conversations
Faster and more precise cursor navigation—just pick it up and move it to where you want
Text selection improvements for easier selection by just tapping and swiping on the text
New gestures for cut, copy, paste—pinch in once with three fingers to copy, twice to cut, and pinch out with three fingers to paste
Undo across iPadOS by just double tapping with three fingers
QuickType
New floating keyboard leaving more room for your content—drag it anywhere you like
QuickPath on the floating keyboard lets you slide to type for easy one-handed typing
Fonts
Custom fonts are available from the App Store for use in your favorite apps
Font management in Settings
Files
External drives supported in Files to access and manage files on a USB drive, SD card, or hard drive
SMB support to connect to a server at work or a home PC
Local storage for creating folders on the local drive and adding your favorite files
Column to drill down into nested folders
Preview pane with high resolution file previews, rich metadata, and Quick Actions
Zip and Unzip support for creating and expanding Zip files
New keyboard shortcuts to manage your files even faster with an external keyboard
Safari
Desktop-class browsing in Safari with websites automatically optimized for the large Multi-Touch display iPad display
Web platforms like Squarespace, WordPress, and Google Docs now supported
Download manager to access downloads quickly and check the status of a file you’re downloading
Over 30 new keyboard shortcuts to navigate the web even faster with an external keyboard
Updated start page with favorites, frequently visited, most recently visited websites, and Siri suggestions
View options in the Smart Search field for quick access to text size controls, Reader view, and per‑site settings
Per‑site settings to choose Reader view, and enable content blockers, camera, microphone, and location access for individual websites
Option to resize when uploading photos
Dark Mode
A beautiful new dark color scheme that delivers a great viewing experience especially in low-light environments
Can be scheduled to turn on automatically at sunset, at a certain time, or turned on from Control Center
Four new system wallpapers that automatically switch appearances with Light and Dark Mode
Photos
An all-new Photos tab with a curated view of your library making it easy to find, relive, and share your photos and videos
Powerful new photo editing tools that make it easier to edit, adjust, and review photos at a glance
Video editing with over 30 new tools, including Rotate, Crop, and Enhance
Sign in with Apple
A private way to sign in to participating apps and websites with the Apple ID you already have
Simple account setup with only your name and email address
Hide My Email to share a unique email address that is automatically forwarded to you
Built-in two-factor authentication to protect your account
No tracking or profiling by Apple as you use your favorite apps
App Store with Arcade
Unlimited access to groundbreaking new games with one subscription, no ads or additional purchases
An all-new Arcade tab in the App Store to browse the latest games, personalized recommendations, and exclusive editorial content
Available to play across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
Option to download large apps over your cellular connection
Ability to view available app updates or delete apps from the Account page
Support for Arabic and Hebrew
Maps
An all-new map rolling out in the US featuring broader road coverage, improved address precision, better support for pedestrians, and more detailed land cover
Look Around to explore cities in a high-resolution, interactive 3D experience
Collections for the lists of places you love and can easily share with friends and family
Favorites for quick and easy navigation to the places you visit daily
Reminders
All-new design with more powerful and intelligent ways to create and organize reminders
Quick toolbar to add dates, locations, flags, attachments and more to reminders
New smart lists—Today, Scheduled, Flagged and All—to easily keep track of upcoming reminders
Subtasks and grouped lists to organize your reminders
Siri
More natural Siri voice, particularly while speaking longer phrases
Personalized Siri Suggestions in Apple Podcasts, Safari, and Maps
Over 100,000 live radio stations from around the world available with Siri
Shortcuts
Shortcuts app now built-in
Suggested automations in the Gallery personalized to your daily routine
Personal and home automations for automatically running shortcuts based on triggers
Home app support for shortcuts as advanced actions in the Automation tab
Memoji and Messages
New Memoji customization options including new hairstyles, headwear, makeup, and piercings
Memoji sticker packs in Messages, Mail, and third‑party apps and available on iPad mini 5, iPad (5th generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation), and all iPad Pro models
Your name and photo, or even Memoji, now optionally shared with your friends
Search enhancements to easily find messages with intelligent suggestions and categorization of results
Augmented Reality
People Occlusion for apps to place virtual objects naturally in front or behind people using iPad Pro (2018), iPad Air (2018), iPad mini 5
Motion Capture for apps to understand the body position and movement of a person so you can animate a character or interact with virtual objects using iPad Pro (2018), iPad Air (2018), iPad mini 5
Multiple face tracking for AR content on up to 3 faces at a time so you can have fun with your friends using iPad Pro (2018)
AR Quick Look to view and interact with multiple AR objects at the same time
Mail
Block sender to move all email messages from a blocked sender directly to the trash
Mute thread to stop notifications from an overly active email thread
Format bar with easy access to rich text formatting tools and attachments of all kinds
Font support for all system fonts, as well as new fonts you download from the App Store
Notes
Gallery view with your notes as visual thumbnails helping you find the note you need
Shared folders to collaborate with others giving them access to entire folders of notes
More powerful search for visual recognition of images inside your notes and text in items you’ve scanned
New checklist options to easily reorder checklist items, indent them, or move checked items to the bottom of the list automatically
Apple Music
Time-synced lyrics make listening more fun with perfectly timed lyrics
Over 100,000 live radio stations from around the world
Screen Time
30-day usage data to compare Screen Time numbers over the previous weeks
Combined limits to include multiple app categories, specific apps, or websites in one limit
“One more minute” option to quickly save your work or log out of a game when a Screen Time limit is met
Privacy and Security
Allow Once location permission with the option to share your locations with apps only once
Background tracking alerts now notify you when an app is using your location in the background
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enhancements help prevent apps from accessing your location without your consent
Location sharing controls give you the option to easily omit location data when sharing photos
System Experience
Wi‑Fi networks and Bluetooth accessories selection in Control Center
A redesigned, unobtrusive volume control in the top middle
Full-page screenshots for web pages, Mail messages, iWork documents, and Maps
Redesigned share sheet with intelligent suggestions to share content with just a few taps
Audio Sharing for two sets of AirPods, Powerbeats Pro, Beats Solo3, BeatsX and Powerbeats3 to share a single stream of audio
Dolby Atmos playback for a thrilling surround sound experience from content with Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital, or Dolby Digital Plus soundtracks on iPad Pro (2018)
Language support
Support for 38 new keyboard languages
Predictive input in Cantonese, Dutch, Hindi (Devanagari), Hindi (Latin), Najdi Arabic, Swedish, and Vietnamese keyboards
Separate emoji and globe keys make it easier to quickly switch between languages and select emoji
Automatic language detection for dictation
Bilingual dictionary support in Thai and English and Vietnamese and English
China
A dedicated QR code mode in Camera, accessible from the Control Center, for improved QR code performance, a flashlight option, and enhanced privacy
Junction View in Maps for drivers in China to more easily navigate complex roadways
Adjustable handwriting area on the Chinese keyboard
Cantonese predictions on the Cangjie, Sucheng, Stroke, and Handwriting keyboards
India
All‑new Indian English male and female Siri voices
Support for all 22 official Indian languages with the addition of 15 new keyboard languages
Bilingual keyboard for Hindi (Latin) and English keyboard, including typing predictions
Typing predictions on the Hindi (Devanagari) keyboard
New Indian language system fonts for Gujarati, Gurmukhi, Kannada, and Odia for greater clarity and ease when reading in apps
30 new document fonts for Assamese, Bangla, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu
Contacts with hundreds of new relationship labels to help more accurately label your contacts
Voice Control
A new way to control your iOS devices, entirely with your voice
Comprehensive navigation with just your voice to open apps, search the web, tap, swipe, pinch, zoom, press the Home button and more
Accurate dictation using the Siri speech recognition engine
Rich text editing to make corrections using just your voice, or select from word and emoji suggestions
Custom words, such as legal or medical terms, to ensure Voice Control recognizes words you commonly use
Seamless transitions from text dictation to voice commands
Attention Awareness to keep Voice Control off when you turn your head away from True Depth camera on supported iPhone models
On‑device processing so your personal data is kept private
Performance
Up to 2x faster app launch*
Up to 30 percent faster Face ID unlocking on iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation)**
60 percent smaller app updates on average*
Up to 50 percent smaller apps from the App Store*
Other features and improvements
Low Data Mode to reduce your data usage over your cellular network or specific Wi-Fi networks you select
PlayStation 4 and Xbox Wireless Controller support
Find My iPhone and Find My Friends combined into a single app with the ability to locate a missing device even if it can't connect to a Wi-Fi or cellular network
Apple Books reading goals help make reading a daily habit
Apple News+ options to remove downloaded issues, follow a title, or browse the back catalog from the More button in the My Magazines section
Stocks app with business stories from Apple News+
Calendar supports adding attachments to events
Home app redesigned controls for HomeKit accessories with a combined view for ones with multiple services
Pinch-to-zoom for more precision when editing recordings in Voice Memos
*Testing conducted by Apple in May 2019 using iPhone XS supporting normal peak performance and iPad Pro (11‑inch) with iOS 12.3 and prerelease iPadOS and iOS 13, using third‑party apps repackaged in a preproduction App Store server environment; smaller app update download size based on averages from a collection of the most frequently updated apps. Performance varies based on specific configuration, content, battery health, usage, software versions, and other factors.
**Testing conducted by Apple in May 2019 using iPhone X and iPhone XS Max supporting normal peak performance, and iPad Pro (11‑inch) with iOS 12.3 and prerelease iPadOS and iOS 13, using the side or top button to wake the device. Performance varies based on specific configuration, content, battery health, usage, and other factors.
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices, for more information visit: https://www.apple.com/ios/feature-availability and https://www.apple.com/ipados
For information on the security content of this update, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
Apple's WWDC 2020 keynote saw the tech giant delve into iOS 14, the next version of the iPhone operating system – while also announcing new ARM-based Macs and watchOS 7.
We don't have a date for the launch yet, but we expect it to roll out in September, as usual, so if you want to see what's coming in motion, you can watch the WWDC 2020 keynote here – or read on for more info.
iOS 14: Release date
Historically, after Apple has announced its new OS, it's followed by a developer beta, and then a public beta a couple of months later, with the official release usually falling at the end of September.
The beta version is already available for those with a developer account. We'd expect the final version to come out after the launch of the next iPhone, which would normally be announced in mid-September, though we'll have to see if 2020's massive disruptions have changed that.
iOS 14: Compatible phones
What phones will iOS 14 work with? The new iOS works with loads of older Apple devices, from the iPhone 6s and original iPhone SE onward, as well as the 7th gen iPod touch. The full list is: iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE (1st generation), iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPod touch (7th generation).
The home screen in iOS 14 is getting two overhauls. The first is App Library, which filters your apps using various categories. App Library automatically organises them for you using categories like 'suggestions' and 'recently downloaded' – it should help to surface apps that are buried somewhere on your Home screens.
App Library is located at the end of your home screen, and for easy access, you can zoom out in jiggle Mode, and tap to hide pages.
Widgets are also coming to the home screen, and are available in different sizes letting you really customise your home screen. Users can drag and drop them, and add as many as they like.
Smart Stack is an great new feature that lets you access your widgets within a single icon. You can swipe through widgets using it, while never having to leave your home screen. It even does this automatically, displaying news in the morning, the the calendar during the day, and fitness activity when you get home, for example.
Lastly, Picture in Picture support lets you play video content over your home screen and other apps. The video is minimised and can be dragged around the screen, pinched to zoom, and even minimised while keeping the audio playing.
Discovered in the beta version of iOS 13.4 for developers, this app will allow users to unlock their car with their iPhone – as long as it has NFC capabilities. Otherwise you can try your luck at jamming your phone into the lock, but you won't get very far. The BMW 2021 5 Series – rolling out next month – is the first partner for this feature. Users tap to unlock the car, pop the phone on the charging pad in the car, and simply push to start.
What's even more handy is the sharing feature that will lets users allow access to friends and family – essentially giving them a digital key to their car. Each time you share your key, you can set restrictions or allow full access, so if you have a teen driver that you've entrusted your brand new Beemer to for some reason, you can put some limitations in place.
From a security point of view, you can choose to remotely turn off your CarKey in iCloud.
One of the most convenient updates, App Clips circumvents the need to download apps that you don't have, but may suddenly find yourself in need of. You don't need to register payment details or create a log in, because it uses Apple Pay and Sign in with Apple.
The full app won't be downloaded, meaning you won't have to clutter up your home screen with one-off apps you won't be using again for ages. If you want to download them once you're done, you can do so in the App Library.
App Clips can be accessed via the web, messages, or Maps, and utilises both NFC and QR codes, so you can tap your iPhone or use the camera to scan the special icon that indicates App Clip compatibility.
In practical terms, you could be at a parking meter and use App Clips to pay with a simple tap, rather than finding rifling through the App Store, downloading the app, registering, setting up payment, and then finally being able to use it.
Translate
Translate is a new app that can translate live spoken language. It also works offline thanks to the iPhone's built-in neural engine, and works with both text and voice. At the outset, it will support 11 languages, with more to follow.
Apple is introducing a mention system similar to the one WhatsApp and Slack use, allowing users to tag specific contacts in groups. An obvious benefit of this is that the group chat can be muted but users can still receive notifications if they're tagged directly, so they don't miss out on any important messages.
For even more convenience, you can pin conversations, which look even sharper thanks to animated pins. The pin will also display the icon of the most recent person to send a message in group chat.
New tweaks to Memojis are also on the way, with 20 new headwear styles – including face coverings. More age options are on the way, as well as three new Memoji stickers including fist bumps, hugs, and blushing.
Group chat is also offering the ability to change group icons – another feature we've seen in WhatsApp, so users of the app will already be familiar with some of these new features.
Maps
Next Apple Os Release
Apple is helping its users be more environmentally friendly by offering directions and additional information for cyclists including elevation information for routes, and letting you know how busy they are. EV drivers are also being catered to, displaying charging points along routes.
There are also news systems for recommendations, and a load of other smaller quality-of-life improvements.
Siri
Mac Os Release Dates
The digital assistant is getting a makeover, with a new, subtle design that pops up over the top of the content you're viewing on your phone, rather than taking over the whole thing. New features include the ability to record and send audio messages using Siri, rather than going into iMessage to do so. And when you ask for knowledge, results can also pop up in a smaller window, so you can read info quickly and then get back to your app.
New default apps
Next Apple Os Release Date
Don't like the built-in Mail app or Safari? No worries – you can now finally set a different browser or Mail app as your default, so those are where you'll automatically go when you tap a link or a 'New message' button.