Apple’s new iOS 14 introduces ways to customize the Home Screen, discover and use apps with App Clips, and stay connected in Messages

We’re one step closer to the iOS 14 release date thanks to a first look at the 2020 Apple Worldwide Developers Conference. It’s full of new features.

Though Apple is yet to unveil the iPhone 12, this is the operating system update the new iPhone will likely come with later this year. Developers won’t have to wait, though. The iOS 14 beta is already available to download.

What’s new in iOS 14? 

Well, widgets are finally a thing on the home screen, Apple is bringing features from iPad OS to the iPhone like Picture-in-Picture (PIP), and Siri is getting smarter and sporting a visual makeover.

Those are just some of the iOS 14 changes coming your way. Here’s a deep dive into what you’ll experience soon.

Will your iPhone get iOS 14?

If your iPhone is running iOS 13, you’ll be able to upgrade to the next big software update. If your phone is the iPhone 6S (from 2015) or later, you’ll get the update. 😀

That means the devices listed below will be able to download iOS 14 when it lands later this year:

• iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus and iPhone SE (first & second generation)
• iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone X
• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR
• iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max

iOS 14 home screen widgets

Proper widgets are debuting on your iPhone with iOS 14 😍 . These now come in a variety of sizes.

Apple referred to these as more “data-rich”, and that makes sense when you see them above. The company says it has learned from the way widgets work on Apple Watch, and it wanted to bring that functionality across to iPhone.

You can pick different sizes – although those have yet to be confirmed – and widgets can now be used on your home screens.

iOS 14 App Library

Another new feature called the App Library also comes with the new iOS 14. This is a way of better organizing your apps, and it essentially files different services away without you manually having to do it. All your social apps, for example, would appear in one folder.

This should all work automatically, and it’ll only appear at the end of your home screens.

Additionally, you can now hide specific apps that you don’t want on your home screens, and they’ll appear in the App Library instead. Don’t want people to know you’ve got workout apps on your phone? Hide them and you’ll still be able to find them in the App Library later.😎

iOS 14 Messages

The Messages app now has the facility to pin conversations you want to always have. That one particular person at the top of your messaging app? Now, you can.

Other improvements include 20 new hair and headwear styles for Emoji that allows you to better customize your character. There are also face coverings for those who want the 2020 look.

Groups are getting improvements too, including inline replies for specific messages as well as @mentions that allows it to work more like Slack than you ever wanted your personal messaging app to.

iOS 14 App Clips

Have you ever needed an app but didn’t want to download it? App Clips is a new functionality that will land in iOS 14, which will allow you to use an app without having to download lots of huge files.

Apple is calling these “light and fast”, and you access them via a popup card at the bottom of your screen. You’ll then be able to use specific features of certain apps without having to download them from the App Store.

This would be useful, for example, if you use an electric bicycle that unlocks with an app, but you don’t want to spend time downloading the app service when you’re out and about.

iOS 14 Siri

Siri has been redesigned for iOS 14, and now the reactions from your voice assistant won’t take up the entirety of the display; instead, they’ll appear as small notifications at the top of your phone, just as regular notifications appear.

This looks like it’ll make Siri far easier to use on your iPhone. We’ve never really understood why Siri’s functionality had to take up the entirety of your screen, and it may mean you’re more likely to use the voice assistant.

There are also a variety of upgrades going on behind the scenes, which Apple believes will make Siri a far more useful voice assistant than it has been previously.

iOS 14 Maps

After a strange claim that Apple Maps is the best way to explore the world, there are a variety of new improvements that were outlined during WWDC.

That includes Guides, which are editorial content about a place. Think of it as a travel book – now you can get that information directly within the Maps app.

Cyclists rejoice! the Map is getting improvements directly for you, including the option to search for quieter roads or cycle lanes. It should tell you whether it’s a steep incline too.

These cycling features are only available for New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and some cities in China for now, but Apple said these will be coming to other cities around the world.

If you have an electric car, there are also now specific routes for you within Apple Maps too, and the app will tell you where charging stations are on your journey. Amazing right.

Picture-in-picture

Another new update included better picture-in-picture functionality. It should allow you to keep watching videos at the same time as using other apps. Got a message on your phone while you’re in the middle of a TV show? Now you can reply without it stopping.

CarPlay

Ever wanted to leave your car keys at home? Well, if you have a compatible car you’ll now be able to get digital keys that enable you to unlock and turn on your car through your iPhone.

This is specifically for the upcoming 2021 BMW 5 Series at the moment, but this is set to come to other car models in the future. Apple wasn’t able to confirm any models or manufacturers yet, but expect this to be something car companies will get excited about.

Smart home controls

iOS 14 will also give you more control over your smart home, with expanded smart home controls available in Control Center.

The Home app will also offer more automation suggestions, so you won’t have to manually control devices as much anyway.

Privacy

Apple has always been big on privacy, and with iOS 14 it’s taking that a step further, by requiring all apps to obtain permission from you before tracking you.

Additionally, you’ll now be able to choose to share your approximate location with apps rather than your exact location and get more transparency on an app’s use of your phone’s microphone and camera.

Learn how to build iOS or Android Apps here