iOS Update: iOS 14 release date, beta, features and compatible iPhones

Apple's iOS 14 update is finally bringing widgets and more

The iOS 14 release date can't come in time, as Apple is introducing a number of latest, long-overdue changes that are coming to your iPhone in 2020.

New iOS 14 features include widgets finally coming to the house screen to interrupt up that stagnant app tile look, picture-in-picture so you'll watch videos within the screen corner while doing other tasks and digital keys to unlock your car with an iPhone.

No, Apple didn't unveil the iPhone 12 at WWDC. But this OS update did give us insight on where the corporate is headed with the new iPhone, and it is the software that you're going to experience when unboxing the iPhone 12 later this year.

Developers won't need to wait, of course. they will already get the iOS 14 beta, with a public beta for consumers scheduled to launch in July. we have the iOS 14 release date details below also because of the iOS 14 compatibility list.

Cut to the chase

1. What is iOS 14? Apple's next big iPhone update
2. When is iOS 14 out? Beta out now, final version in September
3. How much will iOS 14 costs? Absolutely nothing. It's free.

iOS 14 release date and beta schedule

• Developer beta: June 22, the day of WWDC 2020
• Public beta: Sometime in July, consistent with Apple
• Final version: Likely in September, timed with the iPhone 12 launch

iOS 14(Image credit: Apple)

Apple didn't confirm the iOS 14 release date, but if previous years are anything to travel by you will not be ready to download the ultimate software until September this year.

You can, however, download an iOS 14 beta meant for developers now (but you will need a paid developer account) and a public beta is about to launch in July. which will likely be the primary opportunity for you to check it, but we have a guide below for you to access the developer edition if you're wanting to try it.

Whether you would like to use the general public beta on your phone will come right down to whether you're okay with experiencing potential software problems within the coming months. Public betas of software can often be temperamental, so you'll want to attend until September for the ultimate version.

Will your iPhone get iOS 14?

iOS 14All these iPhones will get iOS 14 (Image credit: Apple)

Want the simplest news about iOS 14? If your iPhone is running iOS 13, you will be ready to upgrade to subsequent big software update. If your phone is that the iPhone 6S (from 2015) or later, you will get the update.

OS 14 home screen widgets

iOS 14What widgets appear as if within iOS 14 (Image credit: Apple)

Proper widgets are debuting on your iPhone with iOS 14. These now are available a spread of sizes, and that they appear as if they're much more attractive than what we have seen in previous versions of iOS.

Apple even mentioned these more "data-rich", which is sensible once you see them above. the corporate says it's 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, also as within the Today view on your phone.

There's a specific Widget Gallery where you'll find these on your phone. Exactly which apps will get widgets are unclear, but we have seen marketing materials from Apple that include your clocks, Apple News, Weather, Calendar, and lots of more.

You can also stack the widgets too, in order that they won't take up the maximum amount space on your screen. consistent with 9to5Mac, these will intelligently stack consistent with factors like time of day and more. 

iOS 14 App Library and interface

iOS 14How the App Library looks in iOS 14 (Image credit: Apple)

A new feature called the App Library also comes at the top of your home screens within iOS 14. 

This is how of higher organizing your apps, and it essentially files different services away without you manually having to try to to it. all of your social apps, for instance, would seem in one folder. one of the choices shown on the WWDC live stream included all of your Apple Arcade games.

This should all work automatically, and it will only appear at the top of your home screens.

Plus, you'll now hide specific apps that you simply don't need on your home screens, and they'll appear within the App Library instead. don't need people to understand you've nutriment apps on your phone? Hide them and you will still be ready to find them within the App Library later.

The interface of the way you receive phone calls is about to vary. rather than taking over the entire screen - a pain point for several iOS users - the notification will now appear at the highest of the screen.

This means you will be ready to answer a call easily, but you'll also ignore it and continue using your phone as per normal. to attend for the call to end without manually hanging up.

One new interface feature doesn't use the screen in the least. a replacement option called Back Tap allows you to navigate through phone menus by tapping on the rear of the handset. you'll set it up for 2 or three taps, and shortcuts which will be found out include taking a screenshot or changing the quantity.

There's also a replacement feature that permits you to long-press the rear button to return to your original app. this could make navigation that touches easier when you're cycling through a spread of apps.

Lastly, you'll now also change the default app your phone uses for email or browsers. This has been an extended time coming, and iOS 14 will now mean you'll switch to an alternative like Google Chrome or Gmail to be your default app.

iOS 14 picture-in-picture

iOS 14An example of picture-in-picture in iOS 14 (Image credit: Apple)

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

iOS 14 App Clips

iOS 14An example of a coffee app as an App Clip (Image credit: Apple)

Have you ever needed an app but didn't want to download it? App Clips may be a new functionality that will land in iOS 14, which can allow you to use an app without having to download many hefty files.

Apple is looking at these "light and fast", and you access them via a card that pops up at rock bottom of your screen. You'll then be ready to use specific features of certain apps without having to download them from the App Store.

This would be useful, for instance, if you are looking to use an electric scooter that unlocks with an app, but you do not want to spend time downloading the service when you're out and about.

App Clips can appear during a sort of way. for instance, they might appear after someone refers to an app within your Messages. Plus Apple is additionally issuing NFC tags that you simply may even see in your day-to-day life.

Say there's one on an electrical scooter – you would be ready to tap that NFC tag, and you would be ready to immediately use the app without having to download it. this is often almost like Android features we have seen before, but it is the first time iPhone users will have these kinds of features.

If you're loving a specific service, you'll then be ready to download the complete app directly from the App Clip without having to travel to the App Store.

iOS 14 Siri

iOS 14(Image credit: Apple)

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

This seems like it will make Siri far easier to use on your iPhone. We've never really understood why Siri's functionality had to require up everything of your screen, and it's going to mean you're more likely to use the voice assistant.

There also is a spread of upgrades happening behind the scenes, which Apple believes will make Siri a much more useful voice assistant than it's been previously.

Siri also will provide more accurate translations than before, and it can now send audio messages for the primary time too.

iOS 14 Messages

iOS 14A sort of Memoji designs Apple showed at WWDC 2020 (Image credit: Apple)

The Messages app is getting a spread of updates, including the power to pin conversations. Want to always have one particular person at the highest of your messaging app? Now, you can.

Other improvements include 20 new hair and headwear styles for Memoji that permit you to raised customize your character. There also are face coverings for those that want the 2020 look.

Groups are becoming improvements too, including inline replies for specific messages also as @mentions that permits it to figure more like Slack than you ever wanted your personal messaging app to.

iOS 14 Maps

iOS 14(Image credit: Apple)

After a weird claim that Apple Maps is that the best thanks to exploring the planet, there is a spread of the latest improvements that were outlined during WWDC.

That includes Guides, which are editorial content in a few places. consider it sort of a travel book – now you'll get that information directly within the Maps app.

Cyclists rejoice! Maps is getting improvements directly for you, including the choice to look for quieter roads or cycle lanes. It should tell you whether it is a steep incline too.

These cycling features are only available for brand spanking new York City, l. a. , San Francisco, and a few cities in China for now, but Apple said these are going to be coming to other cities around the world.

If you've got an electrical car, there also are now specific routes for you within Apple Maps too, and therefore the app will tell you where charging stations are on your journey.

On top of all this, Apple Maps will now ping you to inform you where traffic cameras are. this is often something alternative services have had previously, but it should make Apple Maps and even more useful app for those driving.

iOS 14 CarPlay

iOS 14 CarPlay(Image credit: Apple)

Ever wanted to go away your car keys at home? Well, if you've got a compatible car you'll now be ready to get digital keys that enable you to unlock and switch on your car through your iPhone.

This is specifically for the upcoming 2021 BMW 5 Series at the instant, but this is often set to return to other car models within the future. Apple wasn't ready to confirm any models or manufacturers yet, but expect this to be something car companies will get excited about.

iOS 14 privacy

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

Additionally, you'll now be ready to prefer to share your approximate location with apps instead of your exact location and obtain more transparency on an app's use of your phone's microphone and camera.

Safari is about to urge a few tweaks too, and therefore the biggest to try to to with privacy which will allow you to ascertain the ad trackers that are attached you to when you're browsing the online. you'll read more that here.

A deeper check out privacy within iOS 14

iOS 14 accessibility

These upgrades are minor for iOS 14, but there is a big one that will be helpful for hearing-impaired users.

Within the new update, you will be ready to found out your iPhone to concentrate out for specific noises like a fireplace alarm or a siren. If the phone hears the noise, it'll notify the user.

According to Apple, this is often all done using on-device technology so it won't be sending any of your data onto the web to permit this feature.

iOS 14 smart home controls

iOS 14(Image credit: Apple)

iOS 14 also will offer you more control over your smart home, with expanded smart home controls available on top of things Center.

The Home app also will offer more automation suggestions, so you will not need to manually control devices the maximum amount anyway.

• Everything we all know about iPadOS 14
• Plus all we all know about watchOS 7
• Plus everything we all know thus far about the iPhone 12

Looking to upgrade to a replacement iPhone? We've put together all the simplest deals we will find in any easy-to-use comparison chart, including all the present iPhone models available.

Source URL