Here are all the main iOS 15 features

Apple is constantly improving its software, pushing out patches to enhance its customer’s user experience across all platforms whether it’s an iPhone, an iPad, or a MacBook. Apple’s next-generation software update, iOS 15, is now available to download on iPhones. iOS 15 doesn’t offer anything groundbreaking, but contains some quality-of-life updates to make your everyday iPhone usage a bit more convenient. For instance, there are several updates to the existing stock iOS apps like the weather app, Facetime app, and photos app.

Overview

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.

The notifications are now arranged in a collective single expandable notification as per the time.

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.

It will not show the exact location, but once you are within the Bluetooth range, you can play a sound to locate them.

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.

You can either create your own custom Focus mode by filtering what you desire or choose from the default pre-defined list which includes Work, Personal Time, Sleep, Fitness, Mindfulness, Gaming, Reading, and Driving.

You can also set an icon for your custom Focus mode. You can sync these custom moments between devices (iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, etc.).

You also get an option to turn on Focus status which notifies others (only on iMessage) that you’ve silenced your device.

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.

It has a fully synced media playback for all the callers involved.

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).

This creates an immersive experience, especially in a group call.

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.

The link generation also expands towards the Calendar. You can also generate a link for a FaceTime call by creating an event in the Calendar.

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.

The new map is accompanied by a new augmented reality (AR) step-by-step directions.

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 ‘Shared with You’ feature is a section in the ‘For You’ tab that allows you to view photos and other media that have been shared with you through messages.

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.

You can now use text functions such as copy and paste, lookup, and event translate on the texts inside your photos and camera app.

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.

Features like pressure, humidity, visibility, and even UV index is seen in the weather app.

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.