iOS 14: New features and how to download it

Elizabeth Wan

Example of a home screen designed by sophomore Elizabeth Wan.

Jaden Luke, Staff Reporter
October 18, 2020

Apple’s newest update, iOS 14, has brought new and exciting features to every iPhone, beginning with the iPhone SE and any later models, including the iPod touch (7th generation).

 

To install iOS 14:

  • Locate and click the Settings app on your Home Screen.

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  • Click General.

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  • Click Software Update.

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  • Click Download and Install. Now you have iOS 14! It shouldn’t take long to download, but when it does your home screen will look the same as it did before downloading.

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To add widgets: 

  • Hold down anywhere besides an app on the Home Screen. Click the + sign in the top left corner of the screen.

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  • Tap “Add Widget.” Choose and click any widget (from the Weather to photos you want to display) you want on your home screen. You can enlarge or minimize the widget by swiping left or right after clicking.

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  • Move widgets by holding down and dragging to any spot. Now you can move and add widgets on your Home Screen!

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One of the most popular apps to download widgets other than those by Apple is Widgetsmith. This allows you to customize background colors and fonts,  and choose anything from photos to moon phases to be displayed. Other apps you can download are Color Widget — similar to Widgetsmith — TuneTrack which tracks your Spotify and Apple Music statistics and displays the song playing on your Home Screen and Photo Widget, which allows you to customize what photos you want to display. Many people are also using an app called Shortcuts to change app icons and names to match a common theme found throughout their phone.

 

Apple has added features in addition to the ability to personalize your Home Screen. 

  • Use the new App Library to find apps easily:

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  • You can now add group chat cover photos such as the one below.

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  • Search for Emojis:

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  • Watch Netflix or other streaming platforms while viewing other things on your phone in Picture-in-Picture video mode:

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  • Continue using your phone when receiving a phone call or FaceTime call:

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  • Pin conversations in messages:

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  • Translate messages on the go with the new Translate app:

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  • Get notified when your bluetooth headphones are connected:

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  • Check if your bluetooth devices are running low on battery:

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