With the iPhone operating system iOS 16 Apple has introduced big and small innovations to its smartphone. These include several small features that can be activated and deactivated in the settings. In this guide, in addition to five settings that can be advantageous in everyday life, I will also show you a function that may not be useful for everyone, but might be useful for some. Note: The features and instructions shown were primarily tried out on iOS 16.0.2.
Chapter in this post:
- 1 Security Measures and System Files
- 2 Prevent call termination by barring
- 3 Delay email sending by 30 seconds (or disable delay altogether)
- 4 Backup the hidden and deleted photos
- 5 Use personalized 3D audio with AirPods and Beats
- 6 Controversy: Haptic feedback for keystrokes
- 7 Which functions do you find essential or superfluous?
- 8 Similar posts
Security measures and system files
Apple has introduced a way to allow security holes to be patched and secure system files to be implemented without major updates. Some system files are always installed, no matter what settings you make. However, if you want to benefit from the automatic security measures that can be carried out apart from major updates, then make sure that the corresponding setting is activated under iOS 16. Here you can find them:
- Opens the Settings on the Apple iPhone
- Pick the point General from
- Then type the point software update an
- Then you tap Automatic updates
- Finally, activate the slider for "Security measures and system files" (or leave it activated)
Prevent call termination by barring
If you're in the middle of a call and accidentally press the side button that turns off and locks the display, the call will also end. This can be useful if, for one reason or another, you can't operate the display to hang up over it. However, if you can, you can protect yourself from accidentally hanging up with the side button by activating the "Prevent calls from ending by blocking" function. A detailed article including screenshots can be found with this link. Here is the short version: Settings -> Accessibility -> Tap -> Prevent call termination by barring.
Delay email sending by 30 seconds (or disable delay altogether)
On the one hand, you can argue that the more time you have to revoke emails, you also have more time to correct them if you make a mistake, forget attachments or enter the wrong recipients. However, you then have to wait the appropriate time and continue to be in the WLAN or in the mobile network with data transmission. Whether you want to be on the safe side or want to send e-mails as quickly as possible, Here you will find instructions with screenshots. You can find the setting in a nutshell like this: Settings -> Email -> Revocation delay -> between From, 10 seconds, 20 seconds or 30 seconds choose.
Backup the hidden and deleted photos
Whether it's your own photos, photos received from others, or images pulled from the internet, you can delete them by deleting or by Move to the hidden folder Remove them from your media library and thus move them from the large overview of all saved graphics to more separate folders. In order to keep them secure, with iOS 16 Apple introduced the option that they can only be opened via Face ID. You can check whether this function is activated here:
- Opens the Settings on the Apple iPhone
- Type the point Photos an
- Enables the Use Face ID slider
Use personalized 3D audio with AirPods and Beats
Thanks to the TrueDepth camera on the front of the Apple iPhone, you can measure your ears and adjust the 3D audio (Spacial Audio) of Apple headphones individually to you. This requires the compatible AirPods or Beats headphones to be paired so that you can select them in your smartphone's settings. You then proceed as follows:
- Opens the Settings on the Apple iPhone
- Selects the 3D audio capable device
- Tap on Personalized 3D audio
- Then select “Set up personalized 3D audio”.
- Follow the instructions on the display or the other points in the support document HT213318
According to the source shown, the whole thing works with the AirPods Pro of the first and second generation, with the AirPods Max, with the 3rd Gen AirPods and with the Beats Fit Pro.
Controversy: Haptic feedback for keystrokes
If you type on the virtual keyboard of the iPhone, you can get haptic feedback from iOS 16, without a third-party keyboard. This can be very helpful if you are unsure whether you have entered the letter or not. I personally find it just as annoying as key tones beeping and hooting with every input. In addition, Apple has already announced that the haptic feedback for keystrokes drains the battery. If you still want to try it, you can find the setting here:
- Opens the Settings on the Apple iPhone
- Pick the point Sounds & haptics from
- Tap on keyboard feedback
- Enables the Haptic slider
- Or disable the Haptic slider
Which functions do you find essential or superfluous?
How you set up and use the iPhone is of course an individual matter. So you may agree with this and that item on the list here while you disagree with others. That's only logical. If you are still missing features of iOS 16 that you should definitely have activated, or if you want other functions to be excluded directly, then please leave a comment on the topic :)
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After graduating from high school, Johannes completed an apprenticeship as a business assistant specializing in foreign languages. But then he decided to research and write, which resulted in his independence. For several years he has been working for Sir Apfelot, among others. His articles include product introductions, news, manuals, video games, consoles, and more. He follows Apple keynotes live via stream.