Apple in June 2020 introduced the latest version of its iOS operating system, iOS 14, which was released on September 16. Apple introduces every new year, a new major software update for the iPhone. Apple says iOS 14 can run on the iPhone 6s and later, which is the exact same as iOS 13. Here are the Best iOS 14 Features You Need To Know about.
Apps
when you delete an app there is now a new option to add it to the App Library, which removes it from your home screen but your apps will all remain in a new App Library, a page that is one swipe beyond your final home screen. It is a great way to clean up your iPhone’s home screen without losing access to all your stuff.
Widgets
iOS 14 introduces home screen widgets and the best is called Smart Stack. It allows you to combine multiple widgets into one and a set of widgets you can swipe through that uses on-device intelligence to surface the right widget at the right time based on factors like time, location, and activity. These widgets can be resized and they look far better than they did before.
Picture-in-Picture
A great iPad feature finally comes to the iPhone this year thanks to iOS 14: Picture-in-Picture video support. Users can watch videos or talk on FaceTime while also using other apps at the same time. Users can relocate to any corner of the iPhone’s screen. Put the video window in any corner of the screen by simply dragging it.
New Siri interface
Siri has also gotten a complete redesign in iOS 14 and can answer a greater range of questions with info pulled from across the internet, and Siri can also send audio messages. When you trigger Siri in iOS 14, Siri pops up at the bottom of the screen. The result appears at the top of the screen like a notification. Results have been updated to give you just the information you need.
Safari
Safari on iOS can even translate entire web pages without visiting a third-party service. Just tap the translation icon and it’ll translate compatible pages into English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, French, German, Russian, or Brazilian Portuguese. Users can access privacy reports for websites, Safari securely monitors users’ saved passwords, automatically keeping an eye out for passwords that may have been involved in a data breach.
Emoji update
Apple is adding a lot more options to make it easier to express yourself. There are new Emoji options that include additional hairstyles, headwear, face coverings, and ages, plus new Emoji stickers for hug, fist bump, and blush.
Maps improvement
Maps will get cycling directions in iOS 14, with the directions taking into account elevation, how busy a street is, and whether there are stairs along the route. For those who own electric vehicles, there’s an option to route with EV charging stops customized for current vehicle and charger types. The Maps app will help you find places to visit in major cities with a new Guides feature.
Third-party apps
For the first time, Apple will enable users to set third-party apps as their default apps over Apple’s own apps in iOS 14. Users are able to set Chrome or Gmail as default browser and email app respectively.
Messages improvements
Messages enable you to pin conversations to the top of your messages list. Messages can be pinned with a simple swipe to the right on any chat. This includes one-on-one conversations as well as groups for quick access. For group conversations, Apple added an @mention feature, which means a group chat can be muted but sends a notification when a user’s name is mentioned. Users can be customized group chat photos with an image or an emoji, and the icons for each person at the top of a conversation make it clear who was the last speaking.
Health app
Users can use new health features in the health app, which can improve users’ overall health. It has sections for managing sleep and a new Health Checklist, which is a centralized place to manage health and safety features (Emergency SOS, Medical ID, Fall Detection, and ECG)
