The new Apple iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro arrive with a new version of iOS under the arm: iOS 13. This year also the operating system is unfolded in its version for iPhone and iPad, where it will arrive as iPadOS 13.
iOS 13 is here, and we’ll tell you all about it. There is renewal in almost every area: from better performance to dark mode, including privacy improvements and essential updates to pre-installed apps such as Maps, Notes, Reminders, or Photos.
What’s new in iOS 13
Dark mode: It is one of the most anticipated new features of the latest version, and involves changing the style of the system interface and compatible applications (Messages, Reminders, Notes and more) by dark tones. Not only is it more pleasing to the eye in dark environments (e.g., at night), but it can also result in significant energy savings on iPhone OLED displays.
Writing by sliding: Apple has named typing by sliding over the keyboard QuickPath. The big difference with the classic typing mode is that you don’t need to lift the die to press each letter of a word, but slide from one letter to another.
Siri enhancements: Siri switches to neural technology, which means that a neural network generates its voice, which is more natural. The Shortcuts app is now included in the operating system, rather than having to download it from the App Store.
Light control in portraits: It is possible to control the intensity of the illumination in the portraits made with the lighting mode.
More editing options in Photos: The Photos application includes several new features, with new settings to control brightness, contrast, exposure and more, with more effects, video editing and the ability to rotate videos. Plus, photos are organized into new views by days, months, and years.
Better performance: iOS 12 focused a lot on performance improvement, and iOS 13 continues the work. According to Apple, Face ID unlocks the terminal 30% faster, and applications have been repackaged differently so that downloads occupy half and updates are 60% lesser. Applications should be launched twice as fast as with previous versions.
Map Enhancements: Apple’s mapping application is more detailed than ever, but only in the U.S. at the moment. What’s available to everyone is the ability to bookmark places and create collections of places to share with friends. Some areas also include Look Around, something like Apple’s Street View.
Sign in with Apple: This is Apple’s sign-in system, which you can use to sign in to compatible applications and websites without providing your email address or phone number, protecting your privacy.
Better privacy in HomeKit: Speaking of privacy, HomeKit receives Secure Video, a technology that encrypts videos recorded by connected security cameras. The goal is to prevent anyone, not even your Internet service provider or Apple, from accessing them.
More personalization in Memojis: Memojis are more customizable than ever, and you can choose from piercings to earrings, teeth, and expressions.
Three new Animoji: As for the animojis, there are three new designs available for you to control them using your face in real-time. It’s a cow, a mouse, and an octopus.
Support for multiple users on HomePod: Apple’s Intelligent Speaker recognizes the voices of different people, delivering personal results for each person. This includes music, messages, reminders, notes, and more.
ArKit 3: The latest version of Apple’s augmented reality library allows developers to place objects behind people, plus use Motion Capture to record a person’s movements using a single lens.
Improvements for AirPods: Siri can read messages for you in any SiriKit compatible application, and you can share what you’re listening to with someone else with AirPods.
Reminder Enhancements: The Reminders app is completely revamped, with a new bar where you can dictate reminders using natural language. Siri will interpret the context, dates, and places and create the reminder automatically.
Share name and photos in Messages: Optionally, you can share your name and profile picture with others who don’t have you on their contact list.
Location permissions: Permission to share your location with applications includes new precision controls, so you can choose to share your location at all times or just while you’re using the application.
Compatibility with the PlayStation 4 controller: It is possible to use an official PlayStation four controller on the iPhone in compatible games.
Apple Arcade: The latest version of iOS includes Apple Arcade, the subscription service to enjoy hundreds of games on different Apple devices.
Customizable fonts: You can download and install new fonts for use in apps directly from the App Store.
Download heavy apps using data: A change from iOS 13 is that you can now choose to download large apps using your mobile data, while you used to have to wait for Wi-Fi connectivity.
Menstrual cycle control in Health: It is possible to record the menstrual cycle in the Health app, with calculation and prediction of the fertile period, notifications, statistics, and recording of symptoms.
Song lyrics on Music: When this option is activated, the lyrics of the songs are shown, synchronized with the reproduction of the current song and with eye-catching animations.
Mute strangers: New in iOS 13 is the ability to block phone calls from strangers automatically. Those who are not in the contacts will automatically go to voicemail.
Optimized battery charging: This is an option designed to increase the battery life of your iPhone. Using automatic learning, the iPhone learns from your mobile use and avoids charging more than 80% of the battery unless you need it.
Renewed CarPlay: In one of the most significant CarPlay updates to date, Apple’s interactive car system introduces a new control panel that shows the button on one side and the buttons on the other. So you can control music, view messages, and other information without having to switch between applications.
Exclusive iPad enhancements: iOS unfolds to iPadOS on iPad. It includes all the iOS 13 improvements, but with some exclusive multitasking changes, being able to load multiple apps at once, with the ability to add widgets to the home screen, support for USB sticks and SMB connections, and new gestures for manipulating text.
Compatible devices
Here’s the list of compatible devices that will receive iOS 13. This year the new version of iOS for iPad is renamed iPadOS, keeping all the new features but with a series of new features for better productivity. These are the devices that will receive iOS 13:
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone SE
- iPod Touch (seventh generation)
On the other hand, we have iPadOS 13, which as its name indicates will be the version that reaches the iPad. These are the iPads that will receive the latest version. Those not included in the list will not be updated, maintaining the previous version.
- iPad Pro (2018) 12.9″.
- 11″ iPad Pro (2019)
- 10.5″ iPad Pro
- iPad Pro 9.7″.
- iPad (2018)
- iPad (2017)
- iPad Mini 5
- iPad Mini 4
- iPad Air (2019)
- iPad Air 2
How to upgrade to iOS 13
The installation of the new version of iOS repeats the steps of previous updates. When the update is available on your iPhone, iPod, or iPad, you will be prompted with a notification. When it does, you’ll need to tap Install Now to start the update process.
If the time has come and you still haven’t received the update, you can try searching manually to try receiving it a few minutes earlier. To do this, charge your device, connect it to your Wi-Fi network, and go to Settings > General > Software Update. From there you can check for updates and install them.
When you install the update, you will have to choose between two options: ‘Install now’ or ‘Later’. This last option allows you to choose another time to install the update. iOS may ask you if you want to temporarily delete applications because it needs more space for installation: don’t worry, iOS will reinstall the applications after installation is complete.
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