Apple’s iOS 16 has launched after being confirmed at the iPhone maker’s Fall event. The new iPhone software comes with a lot of brilliant new features that will be game-changing for your security and privacy. Here are the best iPhone features coming with iOS 16.
Rapid Security Response
Currently, Apple’s security updates come alongside features upgrades—although the iPhone maker is increasingly giving separate emergency fixes such as iOS 15.6.1. Fearing iPhone bugs, many Apple users are left to choose between security and functionality when a new iOS version comes out.
Enter iOS 16’s Rapid Security Response, Apple’s answer to fixing security quickly and separately from general software updates. “Now your iPhone will get important security improvements between normal software updates, so you automatically stay up to date and protected against security issues,” Apple says.
Passkeys
Passkeys are generating lots of headlines—and for a good reason. Coming in iOS 16, Passkeys are end‑to‑end encrypted and sync across Apple devices through the iCloud Keychain password manager.
Among the benefits, Apple’s solution to obliterate the password makes it hard for you to become a victim of phishing and keeps your credentials safe from website leaks. “Your private key is never kept on a web server, so you don’t have to worry about website leaks compromising your accounts,” according to Apple.
Passkeys should be easy to use, too. From iOS 16, you can sign in to websites or apps on other devices, including non‑Apple ones, with your saved passkey by scanning the QR code with your iPhone or iPad and using Face ID or Touch ID to authenticate.
Unsend Messages
Apple fans have been asking for the ability to unsend messages for some time, and with iOS 16 the iPhone maker has finally launched this feature. You can edit a message for up to 15 minutes after sending it and you can unsend a message for up to two minutes after it’s sent. Users can make up to five edits to a given message—although be aware that recipients will be able to see a record of this.
Lockdown Mode
Lockdown Mode is, in reality, something that makes great headlines for Apple as it launches iOS 16, but most of us won’t use it. Apple says Lockdown Mode provides “extreme protection for the very small number of users who face grave, targeted threats to their digital security.”
The idea of the feature is to lock down your iPhone so much that it won’t be targeted by spyware. Unfortunately, Lockdown Mode makes your device almost unusable, so approach it cautiously.
Safety Check
Safety Check is a useful privacy feature available in iOS 16 aimed at those who may be at risk from a controlling or abusive partner. More broadly, it can be used as a quick check to help lock down your iPhone. Using Safety Check, you can reset the access you’ve granted others, change system privacy permissions for apps, and restrict Messages and FaceTime to the device.
In short
Several other iOS 16 privacy and security features are also worth noting. Firstly, apps will ask for permission before accessing the pasteboard to paste content from another app.
Meanwhile, in Photos, your Hidden and Recently Deleted albums are locked by default and can be unlocked using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
