Apple this week debuted iOS 13 <https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-13/>
with a ton of updates, including a new dark mode option, major performance
improvements, faster Face ID, simpler photo editing tools and a new Photos
interface, a Sign In With Apple Privacy feature, a swipe-based keyboard, and
tons more.
In addition to these features that made it into Apple's keynote event, there
are dozens if not hundreds of smaller new changes and tweaks that are
included in iOS 13. Below, we've rounded up a comprehensive list of new and
notable "hidden" features in iOS 13.
Wi-Fi Options in Control Center - You can change WiFi networks right from
Control Center, but it's a bit annoying to get to. Long press in the middle
of the WiFi/Bluetooth widget to bring up the extended options, and then
Force Touch the WiFi icon to see a list of networks available.
Bluetooth Options in Control Center - As with Wifi, you can access your list
of available Bluetooth devices from the Control Center. Long press in the
middle of the WiFi/Bluetooth widget to bring up the extended options and
then Force Touch on the Bluetooth icon to see a list of Bluetooth devices
you've connected to before.
Location Settings - Apple mentioned during the keynote that location access
is getting scaled back in iOS 13, and in the Settings app, there's a new
option that requires an app to ask each time it wants to access your
location.
Block Senders in Mail - In iOS 13, your list of blocked phone numbers and
contacts extends to the Mail app, which lets you block people from sending
you mail. The Settings app has a feature for blocking contacts in Mail and
ignoring blocked senders.
Thread Muting in Mail - If you swipe on a message in the Mail app and then
choose "More," there's a new option to mute a thread so you won't get
notifications when a new email in that thread is received.
Reading Goals in Books - In the Books app, there's a new Reading Goals
feature that keeps track of how long you've read each day. The app
encourages you to read every day, see your stats soar, and finish more
books.
Silence Unknown Callers - In the Phone section of the Settings app, there's
a new toggle that will let you block all unknown callers, cutting down on
spam calls that you're receiving.
Low Data Mode - In the Settings app under Cellular, there's an option to
enable Low Data Mode, which says it helps apps on your iPhone reduce their
network data use.
Improved Messages Search - In the Messages app, when you swipe down to
search, you'll see a new interface with suggested contacts and links you've
been sent. Searches bring up the most recent results, with an option to see
more by tapping "See All."
Notes Folder Management - In the Notes app in iOS 13, there are new tools
for managing your folders. Tap the "..." button to get to options like Add
People, Move This Folder, Rename, and View Attachments.
PS4/Xbox Controller Support - Apple announced PS4/Xbox One S controller
support for Apple TV <https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-tv-plus/> , but
these controllers will also be supported on iPhone and iPad
<https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipad/> .
New Animoji - There are three new Animoji in iOS 13: a cow, an octopus, and
a mouse. As mentioned on stage, there are also tons of new accessories for
your Memojis, and there are new Memoji stickers you'll see available in the
emoji portion of the iOS keyboard.
Separate Emoji and Globe Keys - The emoji key on the iOS keyboard is no
longer the same key as the globe key that lets you switch between languages.
The emoji key lives next to the number key and the globe is now below. In
iOS 12 <https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ios-12/> , a long press swapped
between functions of the all-in-one key.
Automatic Safari Tab Closing - In the Safari section of the Settings app,
there's a new option to automatically close all of the tabs that you have
open in Safari. You can set it to a day, a week, a month, or leave it on
manual, which is how it currently works.
Attachments in Calendar - You can now add attachments like documents to
events you have scheduled in the calendar app.
Installing Apps - When you search for an app using the search interface in
iOS 13, if you tap "View," the app opens up in a card interface rather than
bringing up the App Store <https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/app-store/> .
You can install it right from this search interface without ever visiting
the App Store.
App Updates - To update apps in iOS 13, you need to open up the App Store,
tap on your profile and choose apps from the Pending Updates section. There
was an updates tab in iOS 12, but it's been removed in favor of an Apple
Arcade <https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-arcade/> tab in iOS 13.
Safari Screenshots - When you take a screenshot in Safari, there's a new
option to save it as a full page, which exports the entire webpage as a PDF
that you can save or share. You can also use Markup to edit it before
sending.
Updated Mute Switch Interface - When you toggle on the mute switch on the
iPhone in iOS 13, there's a new interface that lets you know whether Silent
Mode is on or off. It's located at the top of the display, replacing the
former notification that popped up in the middle of the display. Note that
almost all of these features are also available in the iPad and are part of
Apple's new iPadOS <https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/ipados/> operating
system.
We're going to be adding to this list over the course of the coming months,
keeping a catalog of the new features and changes added during the entire
iOS 13 beta testing process.
Website:
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-13-hidden-features/
