iOS 9: 10 More Hidden Features To Explore
Apple fortified iOS 9 with so many features, we're still discovering them. Here are 10 more tricks for iPhone and iPad users.
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It has been almost two weeks since Apple released the full version of iOS 9 on Sept. 16, and users are still exploring its new features for iPhone and iPad.
This software update has undergone the fastest adoption of iOS, and Apple claims more than 50% of devices are already using the new OS. The popularity was expected; at 1.3GB, it's accessible to a broader range of devices and doesn't take long to download.
Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, reports iOS 9 is "off to an amazing start" and "on pace to be downloaded by more users than any other software release in Apple's history."
[Exploring iOS 9: 10 Tips and Tricks.]
Those who can successfully download and launch iOS 9 sans issues have lauded Apple's work. The new mobile OS is still getting a lot of hype, which is interesting given none of the new features are very exciting.
Apple has put the spotlight on a few key capabilities. A more proactive Siri, customizable Apple News app, new productivity capabilities for iPad, and public transit instructions for Apple Maps are all among the major updates in iOS 9.
Based on a few days of constant use, it seems the success of iOS 9 will not be driven by a couple of flashy new apps. Rather, users will more likely appreciate the myriad subtle tweaks that combine to create a better mobile experience.
iOS 9 arrived just in time for the public release of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, which both went on sale on Friday, Sept. 25. Pre-orders for the new iPhones indicate a strong demand for devices that will deliver 3D Touch, a 12MP camera, and improved speed.
Whether you're using iOS 9 on a nifty new iPhone 6s or an older iPhone 4s, there may be a few features you miss. Here we explore ten more handy capabilities you'll find in iOS 9.
iCloud Drive, Apple's cloud storage service, is available as an app on the home screen in iOS 9. You can use it to share files across your iPhone, iPad, and MacBook.
Earlier versions of iOS let users access their files from iCloud, but iCloud Drive was only accessible through specific Apple apps like Pages and Keynote.
When you turn on the iCloud Drive app and access your account, you'll notice your documents organized in folders. You can move or share files from within the app; to edit, you'll have to export via the Share button and choose an app compatible for editing.
The iCloud Drive app is not automatically enabled. Switch it on by going to Settings > iCloud > iCloud Drive and select Show on Home Screen.
When WiFi Assist is enabled, your phone automatically ignores slow WiFi options and hops onto a faster cellular connection. It's on by default, but you can adjust by going to Settings > Cellular > WiFi Assist.
Plug headphones into any device running iOS 9 and you'll see a small music icon on the screen to indicate the music app you were most recently using. Launch the app with a tap, or hold and slide up on the icon if your screen is locked, and you'll be directed to the app. Don't worry, it's not a shameless plug for Apple Music; the feature also brings you back to Spotify and other services.
Pro tip: If you were most recently using iBooks and not music, plugging in headphones will prompt the iBook symbol on the bottom of the screen so you can access your latest read.
Phone number lookup: Mystery calls may not be so mysterious with iOS 9. When you receive a call from someone outside your contact list, Siri scans information within the Mail app and proposes suggestions for who they may be. The feature works both ways. If someone outside your contact list sends you an email, their information is automatically stored in contacts as "Maybe: X."
Apple's mobile payment system has gone beyond standard credit cards to store information for retailer loyalty cards and credit cards. It has also expanded to include Discover cards, in addition to American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.
You can also use iOS 9 to determine whether a merchant accepts Apple Pay, which is currently available at a variety of hotels, restaurants, and chain stores including Macy's, Panera Bread, Subway, Whole Foods, GameStop, Staples, and Petco.
Before iOS 9, email attachments in the Mail app were limited to images. Now you can press, hold, and tap Add Attachment to include files from iCloud Drive, Dropbox, and Google Drive in outgoing email messages.
You're used to iOS grouping messages according to the time they were received, but now you can organize notifications by app. Go to Settings > Notifications > Group By App to enable.
There are a couple of new features in iOS 9 that make the Photos app handier and easier to use. One of these is the addition of new folders, where photos like Panoramas and Screenshots are automatically stored. Somehow Apple also incorporated a Selfie folder, so all your attempts to take the perfect selfie are easily accessible.
If you don't want the world to see your selfies or other photos, you can hide them. After you select your photos (now made easier with the ability to select many at once), tap the bottom left icon for a list of options on how to handle photos. Tap the Hide button, located at the bottom of the screen, to take them out of your camera roll. The photos will still be accessible in a separate album. If you want to add the images back to your camera roll, select them, tap the share icon and select UnHide.
Switching between apps is seamless with the new Back button. Let's say you're in the middle of a text when you get a notification from Twitter. You can go to Twitter, scroll through your feed, and tap the top left corner of your screen to go back to Messages. If you're prompted to access the App Store to download an app, you can download it and go back to whatever it was you were doing.
Next time you're in the Apple Health app, tilt your phone into landscape mode to get a comprehensive overview of your health habits. The amount and variety of information available in the graph depends on the apps and devices you use to track health data. I primarily use Apple health to track steps taken and distance walked and run. This graph only displays mileage, but you can also use it to track sleep, heart rate, and flights climbed.
Next time you're in the Apple Health app, tilt your phone into landscape mode to get a comprehensive overview of your health habits. The amount and variety of information available in the graph depends on the apps and devices you use to track health data. I primarily use Apple health to track steps taken and distance walked and run. This graph only displays mileage, but you can also use it to track sleep, heart rate, and flights climbed.
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