Apple introduced iOS 16 last autumn, providing us with more than six months to delve into the latest update for the iPhone. Even so, there are always new features, settings, and tips to uncover. While these might not be as trendy as the customizable lock screen or the ability to retract messages, they're still worth exploring to maximize your iPhone experience.
In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to know about the top hidden gems in iOS 16, such as password-protected photo albums and easily accessible Wi-Fi passwords.
Additionally, while you're here, take some time to refresh your memory about the primary new iOS 16 features you'll adore and the ones that you might dislike (fortunately, there's a solution).
1.View and share saved Wi-Fi passwords
Previously, iOS users could only share Wi-Fi passwords by bringing two Apple devices close to each other. If this feature didn't work, users couldn't access their Wi-Fi passwords from the settings. Additionally, if they wanted to share a saved Wi-Fi password with someone who wasn't using an Apple device, they had to remember the password themselves. Fortunately, iOS now allows for a simpler solution.
To access the Wi-Fi password for a specific network, go to Settings, then Wi-Fi. Find the network you want and tap on the information icon. This will display the password section, which can be accessed by entering your passcode or using Face ID. From there, you can copy the password to your clipboard and share it with anyone, regardless of what device they're using.
2.Find and remove duplicate photos and videos
If you've been saving the same photos or videos multiple times, your photo album may be cluttered with duplicates. If you're running out of storage space, iOS 16 now allows you to easily remove every duplicate.
To get started, open the Photos app and navigate to the Albums tab. Under the Utilities section, you'll find a new Duplicates album that Apple has created for you. This album contains all the photos and videos you've saved more than once. From there, you can either delete any duplicates you don't need, or tap Merge to keep the best quality photo or video, and move the rest to the trash.
3.Hang up a phone or FaceTime call with Siri
Siri is a versatile virtual assistant that can perform a variety of tasks like sending messages, providing directions, or playing music. However, until iOS 16, Siri lacked the ability to hang up a phone call, which is quite surprising. Fortunately, now it's possible to make Siri hang up a call.
To enable this feature, first, go to Settings and select Siri & Search. Ensure that Listen for "Hey Siri" is turned on. If it is, you will see a new option - Call Hang Up. Click on it and turn on the toggle switch for Call Hang Up. The next time you're on a phone call or FaceTime video chat, simply say, "Hey, Siri," and ask her to hang up the call.
4.Hidden and Recently Deleted albums are now password protected
In iOS 16, the Hidden album in the Photos app is no longer easily accessible to others, as it can now be locked with a passcode or Face ID. Previously, anyone who had access to your phone could easily find and view the contents of the Hidden album, rendering it useless as a way to keep private photos and videos secure.
To take advantage of this new feature, simply launch the Photos app and go to the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen. You'll notice a small lock icon next to both the Hidden and Recently Deleted albums. This indicates that these albums are now locked and can only be accessed by entering your passcode or using Face ID.
5.Copy and paste photo and video edits
With iOS 16, copying and pasting photo edits between pictures is now easier than ever. Using the editor tool in the Photos app, you can quickly apply the same adjustments, such as saturation, contrast, and brightness, to multiple photos or videos.
To use this feature, simply open the Photos app and select a photo that you have already edited. Tap the three-dot menu in the top-right corner and choose "Copy Edits" (please note that this option is only available for Photos app edits). Then, select the photo or video you want to apply the edits to, tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Paste Edits." The changes will be instantly applied, saving you valuable time and effort.
6.Copy your screenshots to your clipboard without saving them
With the new iOS 16 feature, you no longer need to save a screenshot to your photo album in order to share it with someone else. Once you take a screenshot, you can easily copy it to your clipboard, delete it from your phone, and paste it wherever you want. To do this, simply tap the screenshot preview that appears after taking the screenshot, then tap Done on the top-right corner. Next, tap Copy and Delete to copy the screenshot to your clipboard and remove it from your device.
7.Pin your favorite tabs in Safari
With Safari's limit of 500 open tabs, it can be a hassle to locate a particular tab when you have too many tabs open. However, iOS 16 introduces a solution to this problem.
In Safari, you can now pin a tab by pressing and holding on the open tab and selecting "Pin Tab." The pinned tab will then appear as a small preview at the top of Safari, making it easily accessible. If you want to remove the pin, simply press and hold on the tab again and select "Unpin Tab," and it will move to the first position among your open tabs. This feature simplifies tab management and makes it easier to find the tab you need quickly.
