If you’re an iPhone user who usually waits for all the bugs to be found and fixed before updating to the latest iOS, stop waiting. iOS 12, Apple’s newest operating system for iPhones and iPads has new features that not only step up the performance of older phones, it offers new ways to make your devices safer and more efficient.
Here are just a few of our favorite new features of iOS 12.
Better Performance
Usually when you update your operating system on an existing device, your phone suddenly seems slower and your battery runs down even sooner than before. Apple says iOS 12 will be faster and more responsive on all older devices, going back to the iPhone 5S and iPad Air. So, if you’re using an older device, you’ll see apps launch quicker, less time waiting for the keyboard to pop up, and overall a smoother transition between apps. On a newer device, the focus is on optimizing the system to respond quicker when you’ve got a lot of apps open at once. Like we all do!
Stronger, Safer Passwords
If you’re still using the same password combination across multiple apps, it’s time to step up your safety game. iOS 12 makes that a lot simpler by offering to generate a random password for you each time you log into a new app. You don’t even have to remember it; the password is saved to your iOS Keychain and auto-filled for you. If you need the password to use on a device not running iOS, you can access it from your settings.
Apple also added the ability to use a third-party password manager, like Dashlane which will show suggestions alongside Keychain.
Security Code Bliss
Two-factor authentication is a fact of life for anyone trying to keep their accounts safe from hackers. Apple made this easier by adding security code autofill support so when you get a code texted to you, you no longer have to memorize it or switch screens back and forth - tapping the screen automatically fills in the code.
Group FaceTime
If you use your phone for business, your work world suddenly got a whole lot larger. Group FaceTime lets you chat with up to 32 people at the same time. You can initiate a call right from within the FaceTime app. Or, you can quickly turn an iMessage group chat into a group video call with friends, family, or colleagues.
This feature was announced for iOS 12 but Apple says we’ll see it in the near future, likely the next release update.
Do Not Disturb
Fans of the Do Not Disturb feature will love the new options. Now, in addition to silencing all your calls and notifications on a set schedule, like from 10pm until 6am, you can easily turn DND on for shorter periods of time. In the control center, if you hard press the DND icon, you’ll get a list of options so you can set DND for an hour or a short period of time, perhaps for a business meeting, or set a DND that expires when you leave your current location, like a quick distraction-free lunch with your friends.
Notifications
Now, instead of getting one notification at a time in chronological order, they’re grouped by app, so you can tap the stack to see them all or clear them with one swipe. Far fewer distractions during the day, especially for notifications that don’t immediately need to be acted on.
Screen Time
Apple has built in new tools to help people become more aware of their screen time. You can see how much time you spend on different apps and limit those apps to specific times of the day. No more distraction from Instagram when you’re supposed to be working up a project proposal. Screen Time will also show you how much time you’ve spent on your phone overall, in the last day or even the last week. It’s a great way to make yourself more aware of how much time you spent looking at your phone.
