iOS 16 guide: Rumors, features, release date, and more

While not at full power, the electricity and excitement around iOS 16 are slowly building up. And if you’re someone who wants to stay on top of all iOS 16 related news, rumors, and leaks, you’ve landed on the right page.

I solemnly swear I am up to everything sneaky🪄. So, you can read about every whisper around iOS 16, from release date to concept art. And you just have to do two things, read the article and bookmark it for regular updates.

iOS 16 release date: When will we get the latest iOS?

Apple will likely follow its OS release pattern. First and foremost, iOS 16 will be revealed to all on the first day of WWDC 2022, which is slated to happen during the first or second week of June.

After which, a developer beta and public beta will soon follow. And the final release will be alongside iPhone 14, sometime in September.

• iOS 16 announcement at WWDC 2022 – Between June 2 to June 13
• Developer beta – Alongside WWDC 2022
• Public beta – One end of July starting.
• Public release – September 2022

Note: Alongside iOS 16, Apple will also reveal iPadOS 16, watchOS 9, tvOS 16, and macOS 13.

iOS 16 supported devices: What iPhones will get iOS 16?

Last year Apple surprised many by including 6-year old iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, and iPhone SE for the iOS 15 update. However, iOS 16 will finally chop them off from the block and start its support from iPhones with A10 chip and later. That means it will support the following devices:

• iPhone 7 and 7 Plus
• iPhone 8 and 8 Plus
• iPhone X
• iPhone XS Max, XS, and XR
• iPhone SE (2020)
• iPhone 11 series
• iPhone 12 series
• iPhone 13 series
• iPhone SE 3 (2022)
• iPhone 14 series

iOS 16 rumored features

There’s still plenty of time for the upcoming iOS release, so we don’t have much information or rumors making the round yet. However, there have been hints, reports, and talks that suggest some amazing features, and here they are.

1. Refreshed app icons 

iOS has not seen many changes in design and aesthetics since iOS 7. And according to a report by iDropNews, that is about to change. iOS 16 might boast redesigned app icons with a modern color palette, increased depth, and some 3D elements, quite like the old icons.

Some signs also hint towards a design facelift:

• Apple redesigned the icon for Apple Maps and Weather in iOS 15.
• The icon redesign in macOS Big Sur was more or less welcomed with warmth by users.

So, maybe, just maybe, we will get iOS 5-like app icons back in iOS 16.

2. AR/VR capabilities

Between Facebook launching Meta and rumors ofApple’ss AR/VR glasses releasing in WWDC 2022, a major upgrade to iOS AR Kit is expected. Although we don’t have much information about it, experts suggest that iOS 16 will incorporate some sort of AR/VR headset control.

Furthermore, Apple may finally house features that will harness the power of the LiDAR scanner for more than measurements and photography.

3. Smarter widgets 

While introduced with iOS 14, widgets still offer limited functionality. Most widgets take you to the app instead of performing tasks in one tap. And if rumors are to be believed, Apple would rectify that.

According to a leaker @LeaksApplePro, iOS 16 will host interactive widgets with buttons for quick action.

Although, I am not convinced by the image and don’t expect a super-interactive widget in iOS 16. I am expecting/hoping for some redesign and user-friendly widgets.

4. Quick Note to iPhone 

A smart feature that graced iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey, Quick Note simplifies and quickens note-taking. We can presume that the feature will be available on iPhones running iOS 16. Keeping my fingers crossed 🤞.

5. Car crash detection and emergency satellite calling

Every year Apple launches some special features in its latest iPhones. This time, it is rumored that iPhone 14 models will get two special features:

• Crash detection feature – iPhone will automatically detect a collision and dial emergency services, all thanks to some special sensors,
• Satellite-based emergency feature – You can send emergency texts even when no cellular coverage is available.

If these features make it into iPhone 14, naturally, iOS 16 will incorporate settings that’ll facilitate these features.

iOS 16 concept

Here’s my favorite iOS 16 concept at the moment; enjoy!

Our wishlist for iOS 16

From Lock Screen widgets, customizable App Library to the always-on display, there are plenty of things we want from Apple.

How about an AirPods app?

Currently, if you want to change/adjust any settings for your AirPods, it can only be done via the Settings app. How about iOS 16 give us a standalone app for Airpods, wherein you can customize them anytime?

I mean, all major brands from Sony, BOSE, Jabra, JBL, etc., have an iOS app to facilitate various features and setting tweaks with ease, so why can’t Apcan’t

Guest login

I am stealing this one from our beloved iGeeksBlog show host, Harshanki. While I haven’t thought about the feature mentioned, I desperately need it.

The idea is to have a special guest login that’ll activate with a different password and only show users limited apps and give them limited permission. This way, you don’t have to give your friends/family your password, but still allow them to perform certain tasks like playing music, getting directions, etc.

There are some great, wild, and eccentric ideas suggested by Harshanki, so do check out the video.

Signing off

I hope you had a gala time exploring all iOS 16 news, views, and rumors. If you want to get featured on our wishlist, the comment section is all yours. They may or may not be practical ideas because one can dream, right?

We’ll choose the best ones and feature them here for all our readers and maybe Apple developers to enjoy and ponder upon.

Still haven’t explored all the wonders of iOS 15? Let us help you out:

• What is App Privacy Report in iOS 15, and how you can use it?
• How to use SharePlay on FaceTime in iOS 15 on iPhone
• How to use Live Text on Mac running macOS Monterey