Freeform is a whiteboard app that lets users collaborate together in real time. The whiteboard is an "Infinite" space where users can draw, import files, FaceTime, message, all fluently in sync.
In iOS 16.2, the default setting is "Contacts Only", and the "Everyone" setting was changed to "Everyone for 10 Minutes," which reverts to "Contacts Only" after 10 minutes3 "to prevent unwanted requests to receive content."4 This was enabled in iOS 16.1.1 for iPhones in China.5
The status bar can display the battery percentage on iPhones with Face ID, so the user doesn't need to pull-down the Control Center to see it.
During text dictation, the keyboard is always present and allows the user to switch from speech to manual typing and vice versa without interruptions. It is also possible to insert emojis through dictation. Auto-Punctuation automatically inserts a period when there is a pause in the dictation.
Previously saved Wi-Fi networks are shown which can be edited, deleted or selected to view the network password after authentication via Face ID or Touch ID. Prior to this change, users’ only option for removing previously connected-to networks was to tap ‘forget this network’ from within the settings app which could only be done if connected to that network. Users also had (and still have) the ability to wipe all previously known networks from their iOS devices by choosing ‘erase network settings’ from Settings–>General–>Transfer or reset iPhone(at bottom)–>Reset–>Reset Network Settings. The latter option is frequently advised to those seeking to fix a multitude of both Wi-Fi and cellular network issues arising on users iOS devices.
During the configuration of the Cellular Network, the eSIM from another iPhone can be transferred via Bluetooth.
Backups to iCloud can also be made on 4G, alongside 5G and Wi-Fi.
Face ID works when the phone is oriented horizontally. It is limited to the iPhone 13 and later.
Haptic feedback can be enabled for the keyboard; while typing text a small vibration can be felt which simulates the pressing of mechanical keys.
iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and tvOS 16 have support for connecting Nintendo Switch Joy-Con and Pro Controllers.6
A new framework dubbed RoomPlan will allow apps to quickly create 3D floor plans of rooms using the LiDAR Scanner introduced with the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.7
Live Captions automatically transcribes what is said during a FaceTime call.
iOS 16 allows cross-device connectivity in tvOS 16 for new experiences between Apple TV, Apple Watch, and iPhone.
Lockdown mode is a special mode that, when activated, raises the security to the highest possible level by restricting some features of the OS, apps and web platform, in order to protect users from the rarest and most sophisticated attacks.10
Unlike many other security features, lockdown mode is regarded as an “extreme, optional”11 mode that is not intended to be activated by the majority of users. Rather, it is designed as a defense against advanced malware and mercenary spyware, such as clickless exploits or zero-click attacks, which are often hyper-targeted toward influential individuals such as journalists, diplomats, politicians, activists, lawyers, and high-profile business people.1213
It is possible to disable the Lockdown mode on specific websites and apps by acting from the Safari’s Website Settings and the Lockdown mode's Web Browsing setting.
Passkeys allows the user to authenticate to services that implement WebAuthn across their devices without using passwords. Passkeys are generated by the phone and permission is granted via Face ID or Touch ID.14
Safety Check resets all access permissions given to people, apps, and devices for an iCloud account when activated; this is designed to help those in abusive relationships.
Important security updates are now distributed without requiring an entire OS update. Users can optionally remove the security updates, although the standard update will still include the security fixes.15
Applications and websites now require permission to copy from the clipboard.
Private Access Tokens are a new technology that replaces CAPTCHAs and helps in identifying HTTP requests from legitimate devices and people without compromising their identity or personal information.16
Brand Indicators for Message Identification (BIMI) helps users to easily verify authenticated emails sent by brands by displaying the brand's logo alongside the email's header.
Main article: Issues relating to iOS § iOS 16
iOS 16 requires iPhones with an A11 Bionic17 SoC or later, which means it drops support for devices with an A918 and A10 Fusion19 SoC, iOS 16 is the first version of iOS to drop support for iPhone without a 3.5 mm headphone jack, officially marking the end of support for the iPod Touch. iOS 16 is the first version of iOS to drop support for an iPhone SE. However, iPhones with an A11 Bionic SoC have limited support20 while iPhones with an A12 Bionic SoC or newer21 have full support.22
The cutoff for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus has been criticized due to the iPad 5th, 6th and 7th generations supporting iPadOS 16 despite having similar or even less powerful hardware.23
Further information: IOS version history § iOS 16
The first developer beta of iOS 16 was released on June 6, 2022. iOS 16 was officially released on September 12, 2022.
Security content
Johnson, Allison (June 6, 2022). "Apple iOS 16 brings massive improvements to lock screen and messages". The Verge. Retrieved June 19, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/6/23149402/apple-ios-16-iphone-features-updates-release-date-wwdc ↩
Johnson, Allison (June 5, 2023). "Apple announces iOS 17 with StandBy charging mode and better autocorrect". The Verge. Retrieved June 8, 2023. https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/5/23738813/apple-ios-17-features-specs-updates-wwdc-2023 ↩
Clover, Juli (December 13, 2022). "iOS 16.2 Features: Everything New in iOS 16.2". MacRumors. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-16-2-features/ ↩
"About iOS 16 Updates". Apple Support. iOS 16.2. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT213407#162 ↩
Perez, Sarah (December 7, 2022). "Apple changes AirDrop security for all with iOS 16.2 after backlash over restrictions in China". TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/07/apple-changes-airdrop-security-for-all-with-ios-16-2-after-backlash-over-restrictions-in-china/ ↩
Warren, Tom (June 7, 2022). "iOS 16 supports Nintendo's Switch Pro and Joy-Con controllers". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 7, 2022. Retrieved June 7, 2022. https://www.theverge.com/2022/6/7/23157642/apple-ios-16-nintendo-switch-pro-joy-con-controller-support ↩
"iOS 16's RoomPlan captures 3D floor plans in seconds | Cult of Mac". www.cultofmac.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022. https://www.cultofmac.com/779661/ios-16-roomplan-captures-3d-floor-plans-seconds/ ↩
Fathi, Sami. "Apple Maps Gaining Support for Multi-Stop Routing in iOS 16 and Expanding New Maps to 11 More Countries". MacRumors. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022. https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/06/apple-maps-multi-stop-new-countries/ ↩
"WebKit Features in Safari 16.0". September 12, 2022. Archived from the original on September 25, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022. https://webkit.org/blog/13152/webkit-features-in-safari-16-0/ ↩
"Apple expands commitment to protect users from mercenary spyware". Apple Inc. (Press release). Archived from the original on July 6, 2022. Retrieved July 6, 2022. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/07/apple-expands-commitment-to-protect-users-from-mercenary-spyware ↩
"Apple's new Lockdown Mode will offer 'extreme' security measures. You probably won't use it". Popular Science. July 7, 2022. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022. https://www.popsci.com/technology/apple-lockdown-mode ↩
Sherr, Ian. "Apple's New Lockdown Mode for iPhone Fights Hacking, Spyware". CNET. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apples-new-lockdown-mode-for-iphone-fights-hacking-spyware ↩
Purohit, Alkesh (August 28, 2022). "Apple expresses 95% of iCloud user as of now have 2FA empowered in front of Passkeys launch". Apple Product Review And Update. Archived from the original on August 29, 2022. Retrieved August 29, 2022. https://appleproduct.tech/2fa-empowered-in-front-of-passkeys-launch/ ↩
"Update your iPhone or iPad". Apple Support. Archived from the original on August 28, 2022. Retrieved September 12, 2022. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204 ↩
"Replace CAPTCHAs with Private Access Tokens – WWDC22 – Videos". Apple Developer. Archived from the original on June 9, 2022. Retrieved June 9, 2022. https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2022/10077 ↩
iPhone 8, 8 Plus, X /wiki/IPhone_8 ↩
iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, and the first-generation SE /wiki/IPhone_6s ↩
iPhone 7, 7 Plus and the final iPod Touch /wiki/IPhone_7 ↩
Using cameras to track medications in the Health app, blurring foreground objects in portrait photos, ending cellular and FaceTime calls through Siri, and the drag-and-drop photo crop are not available on iPhones older than the iPhone XS/XS Max and XR. ↩
iPhone XS, XS Max, XR /wiki/IPhone_XS ↩
Johnson, Allison (June 6, 2022). "Apple iOS 16 brings massive improvements to lock screen and messages". The Indian Express. Retrieved March 25, 2023. https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/mobile-tabs/ios-16-is-coming-but-your-iphone-8-or-iphone-x-will-not-get-these-features-8146549/ ↩
"Apple Faces User Backlash After Dropping Support for iPhone 7 from iOS 16". Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved August 22, 2022. https://www.macrumors.com/2022/06/08/apple-user-backlash-dropping-iphone-7-ios-16/ ↩
"About iOS 16 Updates". Apple Support. Retrieved January 23, 2023. https://support.apple.com/HT213407 ↩
Only available for iPhone 14 models ↩
Only available for devices not supported by iOS 17: iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X ↩