Apple iOS 14 has been unveiled by Apple. Here's everything you need to know right now.
Apple has unveiled the next iteration of the iPhone operating system - iOS 14, not iPhone OS - at its all-digital Worldwide Developers Conference opening keynote. Despite whispers of iOS 14 being an iterative update focused on performance boosts and bug fixes, there's a plethora of new features coming to iPhones later this year - some of which have a distinctly Android feel about them.
We've gathered together all of the latest news about iOS 14, including key new features, which models will be compatible and when you can expect it to appear, right here.
When Will iOS 14 Be Available?
Traditionally, Apple announces the feature set for the new version of iOS at WWDC in June. This is then usually followed by the software being made available to coincide with the release of the flagship iPhone models in September, but there's also a public beta which lets anyone try out the update on their iPhone months before release.
As announced by Apple during the opening WWDC 2020 keynote, the developer-only iOS 14 beta is available to download right now, with a public beta currently planned for July 2020. Apple hasn’t said when the final version of iOS 14 will be released to consumers just yet beyond 'Fall' (or Autumn for us in the UK), but we imagine it’ll be around the same time as the company releases the iPhone 12 later this year.
If you want to trial iOS 14 before everyone else, take a look at how to get iOS 14 right now.
Which iPhone models will be able to use iOS 14?
There was heavy speculation pre-reveal that iOS 14 would be available on all models that were compatible with iOS 13, and Apple confirmed during WWDC 2020 that this is indeed the case. With that being said, you’ll be able to use the new iOS 14 with the following devices:
- iPhone SE (second-gen)
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE (first-gen)
Of course, the new update will also be available on the iPhone 12 models when released later this year.
What's New In iOS 14?
As with previous releases of iOS, there are far too many new features to list here, but there are a handful of headline features Apple fans should be excited about.
Widgets
The first is widgets - yes, that thing Android users have had access to for years. In iOS 13, widgets are locked to the Today view, accessed via a swipe from the Home screen, but they’ll be available directly on the Home screen in iOS 14. You’ll be able to resize them to fit alongside your apps, and to add them, there’s a new “widget gallery” that users can browse their collection of widgets.
The App Library
Another big announcement is that of the new App Library, a feature that automatically organises all the apps on your iPhone into groups and lists - you’ll even get a folder automatically populated with all the Apple Arcade apps you’ve currently got installed. Because of this new way to display your collection of apps, Apple has made the decision to allow users to hide apps from their Home screen in iOS 14, which should make Home screens much cleaner and easier to navigate.
That sounds a lot like what Android users can do, and that’s largely because it is - the App Library is similar to Google’s App Drawer, although Apple’s option has more in the way of smart organisation, and Android users have been able to remove apps from the Home screen for years. Still, it’s nice to see it finally available on iOS.
Siri
Elsewhere, Siri has had a facelift in iOS 14. Instead of taking over your entire display as is the case in iOS 13, activating Siri in iOS 14 will bring up a small compact overlay at the bottom of the screen, complete with a cool Siri icon animation. Siri has had an upgrade in the smarts department too, with the ability to send audio messages instead of just dictated messages, the ability to help search for things online and more.
It’s also used in conjunction with Apple’s new Translate app. Much like Google Translate, the upcoming app will allow users to easily translate between 11 languages - English, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, Portuguese and Russian - at launch, with more planned for the near future.
Messages
Messages is another app that has had some TLC in iOS 14. The headline feature is the ability to pin important contacts and message threads to the top of the app for easy access, but there’s also new Memoji features - including a face mask option, new options for age and three new Memoji stickers - and the ability to create threaded conversation replies in group chats.
Oh, and for those particularly chaotic group chats, you’ll now be able to mention recipients directly, and you’ll also be able to set your notifications so you’re only alerted when you’re mentioned. It’s a feature in most third-party messaging apps, but it’s nice to see it finally available in Apple’s native messaging app.
Apple Maps
Apple Maps has had an upgrade too. In iOS 14, it’ll feature new curated guides from travel companies like Zagat and AllTrails to provide better recommendations for things to do. You’ll be able to look up a city you’re due to visit, and it’ll provide you with information on fun things to do, cool places to eat and more. Oh, and those cool new maps Apple rolled out to the US earlier this year? It’ll be available in the UK, Ireland and Canada in iOS 14.
Maps is also getting support for cycling with a cycling-specific navigation mode that takes elements like elevation, bike paths, stairs and road congestion into account when plotting your routes. Sadly, the cycling functionality is limited to NYC, LA, San Francisco's Bay Area, Shanghai and Beijing at launch, although Apple claims more are coming in future. It’ll also offer a new EV Routing feature that takes factors like your car’s current charge, weather, elevation on your trip and more, and will route you to a compatible EV charging station.
CarPlay
CarPlay is receiving a handful of quality of life improvements too, including support for custom wallpapers and a bunch of new app categories. You’ll be able to install parking apps, EV charger apps and fast food takeaway apps via CarPlay, allowing you to order your takeaway while on your way home from the office. Apple is also adding support for NFC car keys in iOS 14, working with BMW to bring the feature to the 2021 BMW 5 Series later this year, with other cars coming in future.
App Clips
App Clips are another new addition to iOS 14, and it’s essentially Apple’s answer to Google’s Instant Apps which, admittedly, never really caught on. App Clips are speedy card-based app snippets you can access without having to download the app in question. Examples given during the keynote included the ability to rent an eScooter - simply tap your iPhone to the NFC point to bring up the app, log in with Sign In With Apple and then pay with Apple Pay. Apple Clips can work via Safari, NFC tags, new Apple-designed QR codes and even via the Messages app.
There’s also a redesigned incoming call UI, no longer taking up the entire display and locking you out of what you were doing whenever you get a call, and the Health app has become more encompassing, now including information on audio health and a new Health Checklist.
And, for the first time ever, you'll be able to replace the default Mail and Browser apps, opening links in Chrome (or whatever you choose) by default.
Are you looking forward to the release of iOS 14 later this year? Let us know on Twitter.
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