What's New in iOS 16? Advice Centre

iOS 16 officially landed just a couple of weeks ago, and it’s already proving to be one of Apple’s most exciting updates in years. From a fully redesigned Lock Screen to major upgrades across Messages, Photos and privacy tools, this update brings a fresh new feel to the iPhone experience.

The quick verdict

iOS 16 is well worth installing. It brings a fully customisable Lock Screen with widgets, the ability to edit and unsend messages, smarter Focus modes, Passkeys and Safety Check for privacy, and handy Photos tricks such as lifting subjects from images. If your current iPhone struggles with the new features or its battery has taken a hit, it may be time to upgrade.

iOS 16 at a glance

Area	What changed
Lock Screen	Custom fonts, widgets, multiple screens, depth-effect wallpapers
Messages	Edit, Undo Send and mark as unread
Focus modes	Linked to Lock Screens with notification filtering
Privacy	Passkeys, Safety Check and clipboard alerts
Photos	Duplicate detection, locked albums, lift subjects
Mail	Undo Send, scheduled emails, better search, reminders
Home and CarPlay	Redesigned Home app with Matter, next-gen CarPlay preview

If you’re wondering whether to update - or even thinking about upgrading your iPhone to take full advantage of the new features - here’s a quick breakdown of everything iOS 16 has introduced so far.

Need a device that runs iOS 16 smoothly? Take a look at our refurbished iPhone collection.

1. A Brand-New Customisable Lock Screen

The most talked-about addition is the completely redesigned Lock Screen - something Apple hadn’t touched in years. iOS 16 now lets you:

Change fonts and colours for the clock and widgets
Add Lock Screen widgets for weather, calendar, battery and more
Create multiple Lock Screens and switch between them
Use depth-effect wallpapers for a layered 3D look

It’s easily the biggest personalisation update the iPhone has seen.

2. Messages Gets Its Most-Requested Features

Apple finally listened - Messages is now more flexible and forgiving. With iOS 16, you can:

Edit messages after sending
Undo Send for mistakes or accidents
Mark conversations as unread
Use improved SharePlay inside chat threads

These changes make everyday communication feel much smoother.

3. Smarter, More Helpful Focus Modes

Focus Mode has evolved, allowing you to connect specific Focus settings to your new Lock Screens. You can now:

Set work, personal or sleep Lock Screens
Filter notifications and app distractions automatically
Limit what you see in certain apps during Focus sessions

It’s a serious productivity upgrade for anyone juggling work and personal life.

4. Major Privacy and Security Enhancements

iOS 16 places a stronger emphasis on safety and personal data protection. New features include:

Passkeys - a password-free, more secure way to log in
Safety Check - helpful for quickly revoking shared access
Clipboard permission alerts

Apple continues to make privacy a top priority.

5. Big Improvements in Photos

The Photos app has received meaningful quality-of-life upgrades, including:

Duplicate detection to help clear storage
Live Text in video - pause a frame and copy text instantly
Locked Hidden and Recently Deleted albums (Face ID protected)
Shared iCloud Library upgrades for families

It’s now easier than ever to organise and edit your library.

6. Lift Subjects From Photos

One of the most surprising (and viral) features: you can now tap and hold on an object in a photo - like a pet or a person - and “lift” it cleanly from the background to drop into Messages, Notes and other apps.

It’s fun, clever and extremely satisfying to use.

7. A More Capable Mail App

The Mail app finally got the modern features users have been begging for:

Undo Send
Scheduled emails
Much better search
Follow-up reminders

It now feels much closer to third-party email apps - but built right into iOS.

8. Smarter Dictation

Dictation now lets you speak and type at the same time, switching seamlessly between both. It's one of those features you don't realise you need until you try it.

9. Updated Home App

The Home app has been fully redesigned for reliability and supports the Matter standard for wider smart home compatibility.

10. Early Look at the Next Generation of CarPlay

iOS 16 also includes previews of the next era of CarPlay, featuring:

multi-screen dashboards
deep vehicle integration
customisable instrument clusters

This one will roll out gradually, but it’s a massive jump forward.

Should You Upgrade Your iPhone for iOS 16?

If your current device struggles with the new features or your battery life has taken a hit, it might be the right moment to switch to a phone that handles iOS 16 effortlessly.

You can explore every model that supports the update in our refurbished iPhone range.

iOS 16 has only been out for a short time, but it’s already shaping up to be one of the most impactful updates Apple has released - bringing personalisation, privacy and productivity to a whole new level.

Frequently asked questions

Can you customise the Lock Screen in iOS 16?

Yes. iOS 16 lets you change fonts and colours for the clock and widgets, add widgets for weather, calendar and battery, create multiple Lock Screens and switch between them, and use depth-effect wallpapers.

Can you edit a sent iMessage in iOS 16?

Yes. With iOS 16 you can edit messages after sending, use Undo Send for mistakes, mark conversations as unread and use improved SharePlay inside chat threads.

What are Passkeys in iOS 16?

Passkeys are a password-free, more secure way to log in, introduced in iOS 16. They sit alongside Safety Check, which helps you quickly revoke shared access, and new clipboard permission alerts.

How do you lift a subject from a photo in iOS 16?

In iOS 16 you tap and hold on an object in a photo, such as a pet or person, to lift it cleanly from the background. You can then drop it into Messages, Notes and other apps.

What is new in the iOS 16 Mail app?

The iOS 16 Mail app adds Undo Send, scheduled emails, much better search and follow-up reminders, bringing it closer to third-party email apps.

Sam Hargreaves

Sam Hargreaves is a UK-based founder and technology specialist with deep expertise in mobile phone trade-in, buyback pricing, and selling used smartphones. He has spent years working directly on platforms that calculate phone values, compare buyback offers, and manage the real-world outcomes of people selling their mobile phones online, including those looking to Sell My Phone.

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