iOS 16 and iPhone 14: Tips and tricks

September 17, 2022

Even if you didn't get a new iPhone this week, the release of iOS 16 should make it feel like you did.

In addition to the marquee features, like the new customizable Lock Screen, Apple swirled in a bunch of quality-of-life improvements that made my iPhone 13 Pro feel fresh. (Everything seems even fresher on the new iPhone 14 Pro, though. Love that crazy Dynamic Island!)

If you haven't upgraded your iPhone already, you should. (Benchmarks show that iOS 16 doesn't destroy performance or battery life on older iPhones.)

As soon as you're up to date, check out our how-tos below, which showcase some of the great new things that iOS 16 enables.

Enjoy your weekend,

Lewis Wallace, managing editor

News and opinion

The first set of iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max preorders began arriving for customers around the world Friday morning. The phones are now on sale in more than 30 markets. Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch SE preorders are also arriving.

Plus, more on iPhone 14 and 14 Pro:

Anyone encountering activation problems with their iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro should install iOS 16.0.1. Apple specifically created the update to deal with an issue in setting up its latest handset.

The first reviews of the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max praise the replacement for the screen notch and the always-on display. Most sound unimpressed with the 48-megapixel camera, though.

The upcoming Apple Watch Ultra gets most of oohs and aahs, and the Apple Watch SE takes the cake as Cupertino’s best-selling wearable, but gosh darn it, people like the Apple Watch Series 8, too.

If you have a new iPhone 14, you may want to protect that investment with a new case. MagEasy offers an interesting selection of options, from glamorous to rugged (but without the bulk).

Plus, more iPhone 14 cases:

Apple isn’t ready to relax just because the Far Out event has come and gone. An October event is almost certainly planned with new MacBooks and iPads. And maybe more. Here’s everything we’re expecting to be on the agenda.

Get these upgrades while they're hot off the servers!

Plus, more on this week's software updates:

How-tos

With the new iOS 16 Lock Screen, you can change fonts and colors, add widgets, and customize new interactive backgrounds. But that's just the tip of the iceberg. Here are all the ways you can give your iPhone Lock Screen that personal touch.

Being able to see your phone’s battery percentage right in the status bar is incredibly useful -- but Apple killed that feature five years ago. Now it's back.

With iOS 16, you can edit or unsend a message with typos or mistakes. Here's how this long-overdue (and well-thought-out) feature works.

There are good reasons why you might not want to run prerelease software on your iPhone anymore. Here’s how to get your iPhone off the beta track.

Apple Maps gets an oft-requested feature fulfilled this fall: true multi-stop routing. Now you can plan three, four or even 15 stops of a journey if you want.

Deals

As the Apple ecosystem expands, owning MagSafe-compatible chargers will be vital to staying connected and keeping your batteries full. This magnetic wireless charger is ideal for charging at your desk or on the go, and it’s much cheaper than Apple’s version. Get a MagSafe-compatible charger, on sale now for just $16.99 (regularly $39).

A new case is a good way to protect your pricey new iPhone 14 from scrapes and drops. But you might want to add a screen protector and a shield for those fabulous camera lenses.

With this easy-to-use hosting service, you’ll get the tools you need to build, launch and run WordPress sites for any purpose.

Plus, more services deals:

The iPhone 14 Pro is raising the bar for on-the-go photography, but unless Apple adds propellers in next year’s models, you’re going to have to search somewhere else for a new camera perspective.

Reviews

The murderously funny show takes a look at John Paul’s mental health in a particularly solid episode. The dark comedy, about a family covering up a murder in the present — and trying to commit it in the past — takes a madcap turn this week.

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

The Mophie Powerstation Pro boasts 20,000 mAh of power and dual USB-C ports to quickly deliver it to a MacBook or other computer at up to 45W.

Why just slap a plain-Jane case on your handset when you can get much more functionality out of a Laut MagSafe Urban Folio?

Setups

Most computer setups don’t come with purpose-built portable displays, perhaps because iPads often serve that need. But this gaming rig uses an M1 Mac mini to drive two LG UltraWide monitors and a 15.6-inch Full HD portable screen, claiming no lag or latency. The secret? Well, as is often the case, it’s in the hub.

Displays aren’t just going up from 4K to 5K and beyond, they’re also taking new forms. This is the first setup we’ve seen with the recently released LG DualUp monitor in real-world use.

Some well-developed computer setups go for quantity in their displays, with three or more, but others stick with a solo screen and go for quality.