iOS 15 has just been rolled out. Apple is announcing a host of major new features with the update, many of which are reserved for the latest iPhones. Release date, list of compatible iPhones,… Here is everything you need to know about the iOS 15 update.
Like every year, Apple offers a new update to the iPhone operating system, iOS. With iOS 15, the firm is refining the interface inaugurated with the iOS 14 update last year. There are also new options dedicated to privacy.
When is the iOS 15 update coming out?
iOS 15 has been available since Monday, September 20, 2021 in a final and stable version. Apple has since rolled out several updates, including iOS 15.2 which brings many new features to the operating system. Available since December 14, 2021, it includes many new features listed in this article.
Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 15?
All iPhones already compatible with iOS 14 can install the iOS 15 update. iPhone 6s/6S Plus and the first generation iPhone SE can therefore install the new version of the interface. As always, Apple offers exemplary software support. Indeed, the iPhone 6s were released in 2015!
On the other hand, not all iPhones can take advantage of all the new features of iOS 15. Older models, launched before 2018, must be satisfied with a limited version of the operating system. Some new products require at least an A12 chip. If you have an iPhone released before the iPhone XS, you will be deprived of a few features.
What’s new in iOS 15?
Apple adds several new features to FaceTime on iOS 15. First of all, the video and audio call service will soon be compatible with iOS 15.spatial audio. Already added to Apple Music, this Apple technology makes it possible to extend the sound range of an audio track. Thanks to algorithms, FaceTime will now give you the impression that your interlocutors are in the same room as you, in different places.
Apple offers a new look to Safari by placing the search bar at the bottom of the screen rather than at the top. This change makes it easier to get started with large smartphones. It is possible to give up this new provision by going to the settings of iOS 15.
Apple now allows share a FaceTime conversation or group via a link generated directly from the app. This invitation link makes it easy to add friends to a conversion, such as on Zoom or Telegram in particular. Surprise: it is also possible to invite users under Android or Windows. FaceTime will then work in a web browser.
The American group also adds a function called “SharePlay” to FaceTime. During a conversation on FaceTime, it is possible to share music via Apple Music. All participants in the call will then listen to the chosen song simultaneously. In the same way, Apple allows you to watch a movie or series via Disney+ or Apple TV+ during a call with your friends. iOS 15 allows you to share your screen content during a conference.
The firm also focused on iMessage, the message service built into iPhone, iPad and Mac. Now, photos received via the app are directly stored in the Photos app in the “Shared with you” section. This function, called “Share With You”, will be integrated into other Apple apps. iOS 15 will also allow you to pin an important message in a conversation.
With the fifteenth iteration of its mobile OS, Apple has also reworked the display of notifications on iPhone. With an option soberly named “Focus”the update allows customize how notifications appear. You can think of the option as an enhanced do not disturb mode. You can choose to filter out certain types of notifications, such as all work-related alerts. Thanks to its algorithms, iOS 15 also occasionally shows a summary of certain notifications. These summaries will be displayed if the alert is deemed important. Obviously, the iPhone relies on artificial intelligence to study your habits and determine essential alerts.
iOS 15 is also on board a reviewed photo application. Like Google Sens, the iPhone photo app will allow you to identify text in a photo and copy and paste it. Mirroring Lens, the app will use AI to analyze visible elements, and in particular recognizes the breed of a dog or the name of an architecture. Good news, the option will be directly compatible with the French language.
Apple also takes advantage of iOS 15 to improve the Spotlight search bar. From now on, the search bar will also search within the texts of photos stored on your iPhone. Obviously, Spotlight relies on the novelties of the camera.
The company also enriches Wallet app, which can store keys, boarding passes or cinema tickets. The app will allow you to register identity papers (in the United States in 2021) and house/office keys. For identity papers, a simple selfie will serve as validation.
Apple announces a new weather app. Left aside for several years, the app is entitled to a new visual interface that includes more information on weather conditions. Apple Maps also improves with a handful of visual changes, including detailed 3D maps. Initially, France is not concerned.
The new cartography is not the only novelty of Apple Maps with iOS 15. The application now integrates a system of alerts linked to weather conditions. When calculating a route, if a weather alert concerns the route, bubbles warn the user and inform him of the nature of the danger (flood, storm, wind, heat wave, extreme cold, snow, ice, etc. ). The application also offers alternatives that bypass the area affected by the alert.
Apple has also made improvements to Siri. Now, the assistant can understand and respond to many queries without an internet connection, everything will be managed locally. For example, it will become possible to program an alarm or change applications by voice on your iPhone without a WiFi or 4G connection.
The Find My app is evolving. With the iOS 15 update, this default application will allow you to locate an iPhone in real time even when it is turned off. Devices that ran out of battery or were turned off by a thief will still be displayed on the map in real time.
Apple has also made changes to its “Move to iOS” app on Android. Apple took advantage of the iOS 15 update to improve its application intended to facilitate the migration between an Android smartphone and an iPhone. “Move to iOS” is now able to transfer photo albums, files, folders and accessibility settings from their Android devices to their new iPhones.
Apple is also introducing a program called Digital Legacy. This service will allow users of Apple devices to designate trusted contacts who will be able to access their data after their death. Contacts will have access to a large amount of personal data, such as photos, videos or files, but will not be able to access passwords and stored bank cards.
The Cupertino giant is also taking advantage of the new version of iOS to add a nail in the coffin of passwords. iPhone users will be able to create accounts on compatible sites without ever choosing passwords. Instead, they will rely on FaceID or TouchID. It is also easier to change your Apple ID password. For the moment, if you fail too many times to connect to your account, it is blocked and you have to call Apple assistance to regain access. It is possible to configure a “recovery contact”, which can send an authentication code in case of blocking.
Some improvements have also been added to photo editing. iOS now automatically corrects lens flare reflections. In this way, the shots will show more detail in areas overexposed by the light source.
Besides that, Apple wants its smartphones to work as fast as possible when they need the internet. For this, iOS 15 favors 5G over WiFi when the network is too slow. This also applies to connections considered to be at risk, in particular public networks. Native apps have already been optimized to run faster on 5G.
Starting with iOS 15.2, iPhones alert minors when they receive an intimate photo. The picture in question is blurred and a pop-up appears to warn the young user of the consequences if he views it. The parents are however not warned, the choice is entirely up to them.
With iOS 15.4, Apple finally introduced a feature that allows Face ID to unlock your iPhone, even if you’re wearing a mask. An essential addition in this period of pandemic where the wearing of the mask is generalized in many countries. Note that previously, you had to be equipped with an Apple Watch to take advantage of this feature. This is no longer the case now.
Finally, with the iOS 15.5 version released in May 2022, the Maps application has a new option that allows the user send a request and receive money from their Apple Cash card. In addition, the Apple Podcasts application now deletes all episodes downloaded to its device after a certain milestone. Fixed a bug that prevented automations from triggering.
Some bugs taint the experience
As attractive as iOS 15 is, the latest version of Apple’s operating system is not free from defects, and especially from bugs. Indeed, the problems have been piling up since the official launch of iOS 15 on September 20, 2021. First, there was the memory full bug. Several iPhone users under iOS 15 regularly received alerts that their internal storage capacity is almost full. It was actually an OS bug.
Other users have also had problems with Spotify, which tends to drain the battery of iPhones under iOS 15. We must also mention the deletion of photos saved on Messages, another major bug reported on September 30, 2021. And more Until recently, we learned that Siri was acting up. Apple’s voice assistant has suddenly removed essential voice functionality for the blind and visually impaired. These commands made it possible, for example, to send an email or listen to voicemail messages. Here again, Apple has not yet found a solution.