iOS 15 Supported Devices
The following devices support the new iOS 15:
iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus iPhone SE iPod Touch (7th Generation) iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 8 iPhone 8 Plus iPhone X iPhone XR iPhone Xs iPhone Xs Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone SE (2020) iPhone 12 Mini iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max
Updating to iOS 15
If you have automatic updates turned on, you will get a prompt to update your iOS version. If you have not, then go to Settings > General > Software Update and select the ‘Upgrade to iOS 15’ option. You will need to select the ‘Download and Install’ option and wait for iOS 15 to download and install on your device. Your device will automatically restart upon completion.
New Main Features
Redesigned Notification Banner
Apple has completely redesigned the notifications and notification banner. It has a revamped look with the option of adding contact photos for people. The overall size of the app icons has become larger. You can also arrange the notifications by priority.
Find My network support for AirPods
Apple has now integrated the Find My support for your AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. You can use the Find My network app to get an approximate location of your AirPods in case they go missing.
Enhanced Focus Mode
The Focus mode has also received a significant improvement. This is by far the highlight of the new iOS 15. Now, you can filter notifications and apps you want to see go through when you’re in the ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode. Focus mode is an upgraded ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode.
Safari Redesign
The default iOS browser, Safari, has been redesigned to move the search and a new tab bar at the bottom of the screen for increased accessibility. You can also now customize your start page with either a custom background image or by choosing from default images.
FaceTime Upgrades
FaceTime has received some of the most useful updates in iOS 15 and if the other upgrades didn’t give you a reason to upgrade, FaceTime sure will. It has turned into a flexible video-conferencing service. FaceTime now offers a feature called SharePlay, which allows you and your friends to watch videos, or listen to music while talking on FaceTime. You can now even share your device screen with the people you’re on a call with. If you’re worried about the communication audio being too loud for you to understand the video sound or enjoy the music, don’t, as FaceTime now has a feature called Dynamic Volume. Dynamic Volume adapts to the loud voices and adjusts the volume accordingly so you can still hear the person speaking. FaceTime now has Spatial Audio which creates a sound field that helps the conversation flow in a way to make you feel like you’re right next to your friends. The Spatial Audio feature makes it sound like the audio is coming from the direction in which your friends are positioned in the call (on-screen). Finally, you can now invite anyone to join you in a FaceTime call regardless of their device model. Even if they don’t own an Apple Device, they can join you in a FaceTime call. This is done by creating a link that you can share with the other person to join directly via their browser without any credentials.
3D Map & Globe
The default iOS maps app has been enhanced to include a rich and interactive 3D globe to better visualize deserts, forests, oceans, mountain ranges and other elevations. In addition to the existing Satellite map, iOS 15 features a brand new Driving map type dedicated to highlighting details like traffic and incidents. It also offers a new Transit map type that shows key bus routes and notifies you as you approach your stop.
Quirky Memoji Additions
The Memojis also received some new quirky enhancements and content. There are nine new Memoji stickers with over 40 new outfits to choose from with a combination of up to three different colors. You can now change the color of both your eyes individually. Three new glasses options have been added. There are three new accessibility options that include cochlear implants, oxygen tubes, and a soft helmet.
Photos & Memories Overhaul
Photos and memories also received considerable improvements, just like every year, and users can now see information that was not viewable before. This includes details such as the camera used, lens and shutter speed, file size, or who sent a ‘Shared with You’ photo. You can also manually edit the date, location and even add a caption. The most helpful feature in the Photos app is that you can now search for a specific text in your photos. This is useful if you’re looking for a particular address or anything text-related. Photos also have a new Live Text feature which makes all the text in all the photos interactive. The Photos app also gets Apple Music support. You can now choose your own music as background music for a personalized touch.
Better Weather App
The weather app now offers a brand new layout and new design, and new animated backgrounds that accurately represent the sun position, clouds, and precipitation. Now you also get a notification before the rain, snow, or hail is about to start or stop. The above are all the major new features introduced in iOS 15. The features that we’ve mentioned here do not even scratch the surface of what iOS 15 has to offer. There are a lot more tiny details in iOS 15 that you may discover as you use your iOS device.
