Apple releases new iOS 15 update; check if your phone is compatible and other top features

Safari will also save groups of open tabs and support extensions the way it happens on the desktop version of Google Chrome and Safari.

Till now, FaceTime was reserved only for Apple products. Following this update, anyone with an Apple device will be able to create a link for videoconferencing on FaceTime. Apple users can share this link with any computer or phone via a modern web browser and the other user can join the chat. The link will require permission and will not let random people to join.

Users may not have time to check all the links sent via iMessage, now known as Apple Messages. The update -- which enables Messages to share information with other apps -- will allow users to track links and photos shared with Apple users. For example, if anyone sends a link to an Apple News story, it will show up in the Apple News section called 'Shared with You.' This update also applies to Safari web links, Apple TV movies, podcasts, and TV shows.

With this exciting upgrade, Apple’s software can now identify subjects in photographs, and provide more information about animals, landmarks, books, and plants. It will also make the text inside a photo searchable and let users copy and paste text and photo into a document.

Till now, Apple had a mode called ‘Do Not Disturb’ that limited notifications except from a list of close contacts. This feature has been upgraded to ‘Focus.’ With this feature, Apple users will be able to decide which notification they want to allow. The user’s status will also be automatically visible in the communication application.  So if someone is texting a user who is in Focus mode, they’ll receive a message that notifications have been silenced

Apple Maps sees improvements like better directions, public transit schedule, and a walking direction feature that places big arrows over real-world images directing users towards their destinations. It will also have new real-time alerts on when to board a bus/train or get off a bus/train.

This is an update of Apple’s power-user feature Spotlight. It comes with a new look as Apple now provides information about TV shows, movies, musicians, etc.

The new ‘App Privacy Report’ will show users how often an app accessed their microphone or location in the past seven days. In addition, it will also let them know if apps are phoning home to their own servers. The users who pay for iCloud will also get ‘iCloud Private Relay,’ which is a beta feature, similar to a VPN and hides IP addresses.

Also read: Apple fixes security hole reportedly used to hack an iPhone

Siri will no longer need to send data to a faraway server in order to understand what has been asked for as it can now be done on the device itself. This will provide a faster experience to users.

Soon users may be able to add their driver’s licences to the Wallet app. They will have to wait until Apple gets government support for this feature.

Just connect the compatible iPhone to Wi-fi and power, go to settings, then general, and open Software Update. Click on Download and Install options.

iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS series, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, and iPhone SE (first and second-gen).

Also read: Apple's plan to scan your phone raises the stakes on a key question: Can you trust Big Tech?