iOS 15 - Features, tips, and tricks you probably don't know

In addition to the most important functions, Apple has also introduced numerous fixes and changes to its mobile operating systems to make the time spent using your iPhone or iPad more effective, functional and enjoyable.

Here's a list of 15 iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 features and improvements that you might have missed.

Copy links from tab group

If you have several websites in your Safari tab group that you want to share with someone, such as in an email or Messenger, you can copy all URLs to the clipboard at once.

Also check:

To do this - open a tab group, tap the group name at the bottom of the screen, then tap Edit in the upper-left corner of the Tab Groups tab menu. Tap the circular ellipse next to the group of bookmarks, then select Copy Links.

Locking a PDF document with a password

iOS 15 now allows you to password-lock PDF documents. The only caveat is that the PDF has to be saved directly to the device - for some reason, you cannot lock documents in iCloud.

Open the Files app, go to On My iPhone, and then select a PDF document to open it. Then tap the Actions button in the lower left corner of the screen, scroll down below the sharing option, then tap Block PDF. You will be prompted to enter and verify a password of your choice.

Customize the Safari start page

Redesigned in iOS 15, the Safari Home page is one place to find all your Bookmarks, Favorites, Frequently Visited Sites, Siri Suggestions, iCloud Tabs, Reading List, and Privacy Status Report. It also offers several customization options, such as the ability to choose your own wallpaper. You can even optionally sync the look of the start page across all your devices via iCloud.

In the Cards view, tap the + icon in the lower left corner to open a new tab, then scroll to the bottom of the start page and tap the Edit button. You can use the switches to control what should appear on your homepage. The options are Favorites, Frequently visited, Shared with you, Privacy report, Siri Suggestions, Reading List, and iCloud Cards.

To sync your Home Page settings to other devices associated with the same Apple ID, turn on the switch next to Use Home Page on All Devices. You can also turn on the Background Image option and choose from one of your existing iOS wallpapers, or choose your own from your photos by tapping the big + button.

Podcast keyboard shortcuts

The Podcasts app for iPad has tons of new keyboard shortcuts. Previously, the only keyboard shortcut in the app was Command + R to refresh channels, but now there are a total of 17 new keyboard shortcuts.

Some of the new keyboard shortcuts are Spacebar to pause, Command + Right Arrow to go to the next episode, Shift + Command + Right Arrow to skip 30 seconds ahead, and Option + 4 to set double play speed. To see all available keyboard shortcuts, just like any other application on your iPad, hold down the Command key.

Remove or rearrange home screen pages

The new version of the system has made it easier to manage the Home screen, allowing you to change the layout and even completely delete individual pages.

Enter edit mode by holding your finger on the Home screen, then tap the three dots above the Dock to go to the Home screen pages view. To rearrange them, just drag them as if they were applications. To delete a page, tap the minus button in the corner of the page, then confirm that you want to delete it. Apps on deleted pages will still appear in the Application Library.

Custom text size for the application

In iOS 14, you can add a button to the Control Center that allows you to change the size of the text on the screen on the fly. Every change you make is reflected system-wide, regardless of user preferences, but in iOS 15 there is no such limitation anymore and settings can be assigned to a specific application.

Call the Text Size Selector in the Control Center and you'll see new options that will allow you to apply the text resize system-wide or just the currently open application. iOS 15 will also remember your selection, so you can exit the app to do something else and then come back to it with the text size selected for that particular app intact.

Dragging Spotlight apps to your home screen

In iOS 14, the functionality of the app icons that appear in Siri Suggestions and Spotlight Search results is limited to just opening them. In iOS 15, however, you can drag an app and place it directly on the Home Screen, which means you no longer have to constantly drag and drop app icons between Home Screen pages to rearrange their order.

Or, you can now directly delete apps from within Spotlight with a long keystroke quick action that wasn't available in previous versions of iOS, meaning you can get rid of forgotten apps in the App Library in no time.

Use the magnifying glass to select text

After it was removed in iOS 13, Apple reintroduced a new version of the Highlight Magnifier. From a user perspective, removing the magnifier seemed like a strange decision on Apple's part as it makes it difficult to see where the cursor is under the finger. The new magnifier is slightly smaller than the original one, but the fact that it has reappeared is a nice gesture towards users.

Split view of the app in the multitasking view

Split View in iPadOS isn't new, but iOS 15 adds an on-screen menu to control it, giving users a visual cue that the feature exists. At the top of apps that support Split View is a small ellipse icon that, when tapped, reveals three options (from left to right): Full Screen View, Split View, and Move Over.

Use the shelf view

On iPadOS 15, supported apps now display a new shelf view at the bottom of the screen when launched. The shelf displays all open windows for the current application, including all its multitasking instances, allowing you to easily switch between them.

The shelf minimizes when interacting with an open window, but can be restored by holding the application icon and selecting Show all windows.

Saving multiple web images in a photo album

iOS 15 gives users the ability to drag and drop images, text, files, and more into applications on their iPhone. In many applications, you can drag a single item with one finger, and while dragging, select additional items by tapping them with another finger. The selected items slide together and are stacked under your finger dragging the original item. You can then drag the items as a group and drop them into another application.

Use the new small calendar widget

Annoying to many iOS 14 users was that the square Calendar widget only showed the current day, not the full calendar month, which can only be displayed in the larger 2x4 widget.

Fortunately, a new 2x2 widget was added in iOS 15 that displays the full calendar month with the current day highlighted. Another related change is the ability to give the calendar a custom color using the color picker, in addition to the seven default color options offered by the app.

Disable app badge notifications

App badge notifications can be disabled when users are in Do Not Disturb or Focus. Go to Settings -> Focus, and select either Do Not Disturb or one of the other Focus modes mentioned. Then under "Options", select Home screen and turn on the toggle next to Hide notification badges.

Now that this Focus or Do Not Disturb mode is enabled, all apps will no longer show the notification badge on the home screen. Users can of course turn off notification badges for individual apps, however this is a global option that affects all apps on the Home screen.

Calling a quick note on the iPad

In iPadOS 15, Apple introduced a new productivity feature called Quick Notes, which aims to provide a faster way to note down things on your iPad without having to enter and exit the Notes app. Whether you're on the Home screen or in any app, you can bring up the floating Quick Note window at any time by swiping your finger or Apple Pencil diagonally up from the bottom-right corner of the screen.

If you're using a connected keyboard with a globe key, just press globe key + Q to launch a quick note. You can also add the Quick Note button to the Control Center: Go to Settings -> Control Center, then add the Quick Note option from the "Included Controls" section.

Quick Notes cannot be created on an iPhone with iOS 15. However, since Quick Notes live in the Notes app, you can access any that have been created elsewhere on your iPhone just as easily as any other note.

Generating a two-factor authentication code

IOS 15 includes a built-in authentication mechanism that can generate verification codes for additional login security to supported websites, meaning no third-party authentication applications are needed.

Verification codes for online accounts can be set up in Settings -> Passwords. Once set up, the verification codes will auto-complete when you log into the site, making two-factor authentication on iPhone or iPad much more streamlined.

UPDATE 10/14/2021

Here are some more iOS 15 features, tips, and tricks that you may not know about.

Dress up your Memoji

Apple has added new personalization options to Memoji that you can use in Messages, FaceTime, and more. There are over 40 new outfit options to choose from, as well as three new outfit colors to choose from. Apple included the option to choose a different color for the right and left eyes for people with heterochromia, as well as three new eyewear options.

There are also new multicolored headgear options so people can represent their favorite sports teams or universities, as well as new accessibility options for depicting cochlear implants, oxygen tubes, or a soft helmet.

Restore the top address bar in Safari

With feedback from the beta of iOS 15, Apple has made the Safari address bar at the bottom of the screen optional.

If you can't accept that the address bar is at the bottom of the screen and you'd prefer it to be at the top, as in iOS 14, tap the "aA" icon on the left side of the address bar, and then select Show Top from the pop-up menu address bar. You can also control this appearance change in Settings -> Safari, in the "Bookmarks" section. To move the URL bar to the top of the Safari interface, select Single Tab.

Using the AR Walking Directions feature in Google Maps

In a nod to Google Maps, Apple has added a new AR mode to the Maps app that allows you to map real-world pedestrian directions using the iPhone's rear camera, making it easier to see where you need to go in built-up areas and reduces the need to look down at your smartphone how to get around.

Just initiate a walking route, then pick up your iPhone and scan the buildings around you when prompted. Step-by-step guidance will automatically appear in AR mode, which should make it easier to get where you need to go, especially in tricky situations.

The AR feature is available from late 2021 in major supported cities, including London, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. Only iPhones released after 2018 are compatible with the AR function.

How to block background noise in FaceTime with voice isolation?

When you're on a call, your device's microphone typically picks up a lot of background noise, but with Voice Isolation in iOS 15, machine learning distinguishes these sounds, blocks background noise, and prioritizes your voice to make it clear.

To use it during a FaceTime call or when receiving a call from a third-party app such as WhatsApp or Teams, launch your device's Control Center, tap the Microphone Mode button in the upper-right corner, then tap Voice Shutdown to turn it on.

Turn on precipitation alerts

To receive weather alerts in your current location, you must first give the Weather app permission to always access your location (Settings -> Privacy -> Location services -> Weather). Then, in the Weather app, tap on the icon in the lower right corner of the screen that looks like a bulleted list.

Tap Enable Notifications at the top of the location list. If you don't see the "Stay Dry" tab, tap the circular ellipse icon in the upper-right corner of the screen, then tap Notifications -> Continue -> Allow. Finally, toggle the toggles next to the locations you want notifications for.

Highlight people in your notes

In shared notes or folders, you can add the @ sign and type the name of the person with whom the note is being shared to draw attention to them and notify them if there is an important update.

With @mention, the person gets a note notification, which is similar to @mentions working in other apps.

Use tags in your notes

When you write a note, you can use hashtags to mark it with a word or phrase for organizational purposes. You can use any tag like cooking, plants, work, reminders, etc.

After you create a tag, it will be added to the "Tags" section of the Notes app overview. You can tap any tag name to see all the notes that contain it.

Use a one-time email address

With iOS 15 and the Hide My Email app, you can create unique, random email addresses that will be redirected to your personal inbox whenever you want to keep your personal email address private.

In Settings, tap the Apple ID banner at the top, then select iCloud -> Hide My Email -> Create New Address. Tap Continue, then give your address an identifying label. You can also optionally make a note about it. You can now use a random email address when sending email in the Mail app or when asked to enter your email address on a website in Safari.

Turn on Private Broadcast in iCloud +

With iOS 15, Apple introduced iCloud +, which adds new features to paid iCloud plans (higher levels of iCloud storage start at $ 0.99). One of these features is iCloud Private Relay, which is designed to encrypt all traffic coming from your device so that no one can intercept or read it.

To turn it on in Settings, tap on the Apple ID banner at the top, then select iCloud -> Private Relay and turn on the switch next to iCloud Private Relay. After enabling Private Relay by tapping IP Address Location, you can use the default Keep General Location option to keep local content while browsing, or change it to a less geographically specific and more private Use country and time zone option.

Sharing health data

In iOS 15, Apple added the ability to share health data with family members or caregivers so that they can track significant changes in selected health parameters. They can also receive notifications when you receive an important health alert.

To share your health data with someone, tap the Share tab. Select Share With Someone, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Fast website refresh

In Safari for iOS, Apple added a reload icon to the address bar. However, depending on where your address bar is located, if you've just navigated to a website and something didn't load properly, it might be easier to just swipe across the page to reload it.

This alternative to having to tap the reload icon is especially useful if you like to keep the address bar at the top of the screen where tapping the reload icon might be less convenient.

Finding Safari Extensions

On iOS 15, Safari now supports third-party web extensions that can be downloaded and installed through the App Store. Extensions can usefully change the way Apple's browser works and even add extra functionality to it.

To discover extensions in the App Store, open the Settings app, tap Safari, under "General," select Extensions, and then tap More Extensions. After installing an extension, you will see it listed in the "Extensions" screen in Settings, where you will be able to control any options related to the extension.

Turning off the coloring of web pages

In Safari on iOS 15, website coloring occurs when Safari's interface color changes around bookmarks, tab areas, and navigation buttons to match the color of the website you're viewing.

This effect is intended to make the browser interface blend into the background, creating a more immersive experience. However, it is not widely liked. Luckily, Apple decided to include the option to turn it off. Launch the Settings app, scroll down to Safari and in the "Bookmarks" section, turn off the toggle next to Allow Coloring Pages. (In iPadOS 15, this option is called Show Color in Tab Bar.)

Turning off the camera's automatic night mode

When you use the Camera app on iPhones, the Night Mode feature turns on automatically when the camera sensor captures an indoor or outdoor scene it deems dark enough to justify the brightening. For example, if you want to capture an authentic evening scene where all light sources remain dim, you'd better turn off Night Mode to avoid extreme light exposure and brightening the photo.

You can turn it off by tapping the yellow Night Mode button when it appears at the top of the viewfinder, but when you reopen the Camera app and the sensor detects a low light, Night Mode will automatically turn back on. In iOS 15, you can turn off Night Mode and ensure it stays off. Launch the Settings app, select Camera -> Save Settings, then toggle the night mode switch to the green ON position.

Make Siri announce notifications

Siri has been able to announce messages for a while, but in iOS 15, the feature was extended to all notifications. With this feature enabled, Siri will automatically notify you of time-sensitive notifications from the app when AirPods / Beats are connected.

In the Settings app, tap Notifications, then under "Siri," select Announcing Notifications, then turn on the toggle next to Announcing Notifications. To have Siri announce all notifications from a specific app, simply select that app in the list under "Announcing Notifications From" and turn on the toggle next to Announce Notifications.

Current prices in stores APPLE iPhone 13 128GB White MLPG3PM / A4 199 PLN Apple iPhone 13 128 GB Red4 smartphone 199 PLN APPLE smartphone iPhone 13 128GB 5G 6.1 "White MLPG3PM / A4 199 PLN Smartphone APPLE iPhone 13 128GB 5G 6.1" Black MLPF3PM / A4 199 PLN Apple smartphone iPhone 13 5G 4 / 128GB Dual SIM Black (MLPF3PM / A) 4 PLN 300 Apple iPhone 13 128GB (moonlight) 4 PLN 499 APPLE iPhone 13 128GB White MLPG3PM / A4 PLN 499 iPhone 13 MLQG3PM / A APPLE5 smartphone PLN 699