Top 16 Hidden iOS 16 Features Every iPhone User Should Know

Don’t miss all the hidden iOS 16 features coming to iPhone that not everybody is talking about.

Every year, Apple makes a very brief and direct announcement about the most important settings and features of its most recent software update. Sadly, this implies that Apple glosses over the technical details, and this is partially true with the introduction of iOS 16 this year.

Despite the fact that you might already be aware of the updated Lock Screen and exciting new iOS 16 features like Live Activities. However, iOS 16 has a ton of unnoticed improvements that you might have missed at WWDC22.

On my iPhone 13, I've been experimenting with iOS 16 for a while now. I've put together a list of the 16 top iOS 16 hidden features that every iPhone user should be aware of after experiencing the new operating system in depth.

1. Face ID Gets Landscape Support

With iOS 16, you won't have to flip your iPhone over every time you unintentionally lock it while viewing content. Face ID now functions equally as effectively in landscape mode as it does in portrait mode.

2. Apple Pay Later

You may divide the cost of an Apple Pay transaction into four equal installments over the course of six weeks using an undocumented iOS 16 function. The initial payment is made on the day of purchase, and future payments are required every two weeks after that.

The greatest thing, though? There are no extra costs or interest charges. Additionally, it functions flawlessly anywhere Apple Pay is recognized as a viable payment option (in the US). To use this function, you must first add your state ID or driver's license to the Wallet app.

3. All-New Dictation Experience

You can dictate while the keyboard remains on the screen with this little-known iOS 16 feature, allowing you to switch between dictating and typing whenever you need to. As you speak, dictation will automatically add punctuation to the text. You can even add emojis by simply speaking them. Additionally, you can now locate it in the text entry field if you intend to use this feature in the Messages app.

4. Live Text in Videos

Do you recall the useful Live Text function that Apple unveiled with iOS 15? Now that you can use this feature in videos whenever you hit pause, it will be much easier for students to quickly take notes. Additionally, Live Text can detect Ukrainian, Korean, and Japanese in images and videos.

5. Drag and Drop Subjects With Visual Lookup

With only a simple long-press, Apple's improved Visual Lookup tool in iOS 16 can distinguish subjects from backgrounds in an image. You may use it, for instance, to take a part of an image and put it into the Messages app as a sticker. Machine learning has eliminated the necessity for time-consuming outline drawings utilizing unofficial programs to obtain desired stickers.

6. Spotlight on the Home Screen

You may use Spotlight search directly from the Home Screen in iOS 16 without swiping down or left. It is located just above the dock, making it simple to search for applications, contacts, documents, photos, and other items. The information from photographs saved in Messages, Notes, and Files, such as text, objects, persons, and so forth, may be used by Spotlight to get results.

7. Fitness App for Everyone

Users could only use the Fitness app until now if they connected their iPhones to an Apple Watch. Thankfully, even if you don't possess the wearable, iOS 16 will come with the Fitness app. That's because the iPhone's motion sensors can detect and fill up a move ring for you, so you no longer need an Apple Watch.

8. Safety Check

A brand-new privacy feature called Safety Check was created to safeguard the safety of those in abusive situations. You may use Safety Check to quickly examine and reset the access you've given your partner to things like your personal information or location if your trust levels in a relationship alter at any time. By logging out of iCloud on all of your devices, the function resets your privacy rights and revokes access to your communications.

9. Multi-Stop Routing and Transit Fares in Maps

A long-requested feature for Apple Maps finally becomes a reality. Now, you may add up to 15 stops to your driving itinerary. Additionally, you may prepare multi-stop itineraries on a Mac and transfer them easily to an iPhone. Without having to fumble with your iPhone while driving, you can also ask Siri to add more stops to your itinerary.

After connecting your transport cards to the Wallet app, you may use your iPhone to pay for your transit fare using Apple Maps, which also displays transit fares.

10. Passkeys

With Passkeys in iOS 16, Apple is attempting to completely do away with passwords by marketing it as a simpler and safer method of logging into your accounts. Apple claims that because your private keys are never kept on a web server, Passkeys is protected against phishing scams and website breaches. In actuality, Passkeys are unique to the website you made them for and never leave your device.

On non-Apple devices, you can use your Passkey to log into websites, but in order to scan a QR code and authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, you'll need an iPhone or iPad.

11. iOS 16 can detect duplicate contacts

It's a mess if your contacts list is anything like mine. You probably have more than a few duplicates in there, either as a result of adding a contact twice by accident or switching phones. If there are any duplicates, iOS 16 will silently notify you and provide you the choice to erase them.

12. Sort Playlists in Apple Music

Playlists are fantastic, but they are fixed in the order you created them in Apple Music. You must manually edit the text in the editor if you want to make changes. Playlists can now be quickly sorted by title, artist, album, or release date thanks to iOS 16.

13. See conversion options by tapping on the metric

You may quickly change a metric while editing a document or note by tapping on it. You will notice a conversion to kilograms, pounds, and ounces, for instance, if you tap on 50g. You can choose to convert to other currencies by tapping on US$100 ($139).

14. Schedule Emails in the Mail App

The majority of consumers have always favored using third-party iPhone email management applications. The upgrades to iOS 16 are modifying the rather simple Mail app. In the Mail app, you may now schedule an email and stop delivery of a message before it reaches the inbox of the recipient.

15. Set a Reminder to Check Emails Later

You may occasionally wish to check a crucial email later. Now, you can set a reminder to check your messages later. Select Later by just swiping right on an email. To remind you in an hour, tonight, tomorrow, or later, ask the Mail app.

16. Search Improvements in the Mail App

The search feature in the Mail app has seen the most significant changes in iOS 16. The redesigned search menu produces thorough, precise, and pertinent results. As soon as you begin putting search terms into the search field, recent emails, contacts, documents, and links appear in the search results.

Phew! There were several undiscovered iOS 16 features. There is no question that these secret iOS 16 additions will improve the iPhone. Which one did you enjoy best? Please provide your feedback in the box below.