The newly introduced version of Apple’s mobile operating system —iOS 14— is only months away, but there’s still an abundance of features that you may not be familiar with on the current version. Digital Trends has taken an in-depth look atiOS 13from multiple angles, including security and privacy issues like location services, 3D and haptic touch, and live radio. We’ve also dug out 11 hidden features that will improve your productivity and iPhone lifestyle.
Here are a few neat, lesser-known advantages to upgrading to iOS 13 for theiPhone 6Sand newer.
Compress and uncompress files
In the past, a third-party app was required to compress or extract files on the iPhone. Whether you’re looking to bundle some photos to share or unpack, compressing and uncompressing can be done natively on iOS 13.
Shake or triple-finger tap to undo
Everyone makes mistakes — and typos. The next time you’re jotting a few lines and want to restart, simply shake your iPhone or double-tap on the screen with three fingers. These simple gestures will save you from having to hold backspace all the time and make your iPhone experience a little more interactive.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth selection in Control Center
The Control Center — that convenient feature that lets you flip up from the bottom or swipe down from the top right corner to access various settings — now includes a super convenient one, the ability to change your network, not just connect or disconnect from the one you’re on. Whereas in iOS 12 you may certainly switch your networks on or off, you would need to go into the settings to make any other changes. Now, all you need to do is long-press on the network icon to get the same choices you’d get inSettings. Except, you can accomplish it without drilling down.
No size limits on cellular downloads
You know how iOS 12 limited app downloads to 200MB? With iOS 13, those limits are gone. Instead, you’ll get an alert telling you that you’re downloading an item that is over 200MB, letting you confirm that it’s OK, or giving you the option of waiting to download it later on Wi-Fi.
Low data mode
The new Low Data Mode — available for both Wi-Fi and cellular — facilitates reduced network use by apps on your device. This conserves power for limited data plans.
Optimized Battery Charging
If you habituallycharge your iPhone battery overnight, it’s possible that it will sit on your night table for many hours plugged in at full charge. That’s not the best way to maintain your battery’s longevity. With iOS 13, the Optimized Battery Charging feature uses machine learning to examine your overall usage patterns, alarms, and calendar events, to determine the best time to fully charge your device. When enabled, you can plug your device in at bedtime and it will charge up to 80% and maintain that level for a while. Then, it will initiate the final part of the charge just in time for you to get up and start your day. This gives your iPhone a longer life span.
Capture and save a full Safari page
The new iOS gives you a more intuitive way to capture and save whole page PDFs within the native Safari app.
Create Animoji within Contacts app
In iOS 13, there’s a fairly convenient way to create an animoji for anyone in your Contacts list or for yourself. When you edit a contact you can also create a portrait for that person or create a brand new animoji. This works for both your own contact card or any other contact. This little studio takes you through the steps of customizing a face, complete with hair styles and colors, fashionable eyewear, and headgear.
Share your ETA with Apple Maps
The new Apple Maps will now show you an ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), so you’re able to share it with people who are waiting for you or who want to make sure you arrive safely. Just punch in your route and the app generates an ETA, which you can share with contacts. The ETA automatically updates if there’s a delay, and is always up-to-date.
Block Contacts and unknown senders in Mail
Do you have a contact or two whom you wish would stop emailing you? Now you may take matters into your own hands. Depending on how you set it up, blocking a sender in Mail funnels that person’s emails to your trash folder or designates the emails as blocked in your inbox. The settings apply to all accounts you have set up to run through the Mail app.
Use a Bluetooth mouse
While mouse support on iOS is not exactly the same as on your desktop computer and may seem a bit rough to some, it has been a long sought after feature from Apple’s mobile device users. Here’s how to get started using a Bluetooth mouse.
Bottom line
Apple’s iOS 13 is an advanced operating system with a number of specialized features designed to make your smartphone experience safer, more fun, more intuitive, and more useful. Apple has incorporated dozens of upgrades large and small in the new OS, and it will take some time to discover and make good use of all of them.
