iOS 16 is now available, but users may be surprised to learn that several features are missing. Here are all the missing iOS 16 features…
iOS 16 is now available for iPhones worldwide. The latest update to Apple’s flagship operating system includes a ton of improvements, including a new customizable lock screen, the ability to edit and delete messages, new Focus modes, improvements to Mail, better maps, and much, much more.
While iOS 16 is packed with features, there are plenty of features that will also be missing from iOS 16 until later. This will be a setback for many, but at least we can be sure that the features will be added eventually.
Here are the main missing iOS 16 features not available at launch:
Live Activities
This will probably be the biggest disappointment for most people. Live Activities is a huge new feature that will revolutionize the way we interact with apps.
Apple describes Live Activities as follows: “Live Activities make it easier to stay up to date on things happening in real time right from your lock screen. So you can check a game’s score or track the progress of your food delivery without unlock your device.”
Basically, Live Activities allows apps to show real-time (“live”) updates on your lock screen. For example, if you call an Uber, the Uber notification on your lock screen can now show you where your upcoming car is in real time — no need to open the app.
The new Freeform app
Apple showed a new app with iOS 16 called Freeform. Apple describes the app as follows: “Freeform is a productivity app that helps you and your employees bring ideas to life. Take notes, share files and embed web links, documents, video and audio.”
Essentially, Freeform is a whiteboard app that enables collaboration in real time. Multiple people can add updates to the Freeform, with all participants seeing updates in real time. That app looks great, but it’s likely been delayed until iPadOS and macOS Ventura come out later this year (since Freeform is also coming to iPad and Mac).
iCloud Shared Photo Library
Apple describes iCloud Shared Photo Library as follows: “Share photos and videos seamlessly with up to five other people, so everyone can collaborate on the family collection and enjoy more complete memories. With iCloud Shared Photo Library, family memories are in one place for everyone to enjoy anytime, even if you aren’t the one who took or edited the photo.”
Basically, it’s one iCloud Photo Library shared between family members. It’s not the most exciting feature, but families may be disappointed that it won’t be out until later this year.
Share keys via Apple Wallet
This is a really cool – delayed – feature. iOS 16 provides the ability to share digital keys with other people. So if you have a smart home lock, you can send a digital key to your visiting parents when you’re not home to let them in when they arrive.
Apple describes key sharing as follows: “Securely share your keys in Wallet with your favorite messaging apps, including Messages, Mail and WhatsApp. You decide where and when your keys can be used and you can revoke them at any time. ”
Home app improvements
The Home app in iOS 16 will get Matter support — just not at the launch of iOS 16. Matter is a smart home standard that Apple is finally adopting, making Home even more compatible with smartphone accessories.
As Apple Matter Support describes, “Matter is a smart home connectivity standard that allows a wide variety of smart home accessories across platforms to work together, so you can seamlessly control your Matter- and HomeKit-enabled accessories with the Home app and Siri. Matter gives you the widest choice and compatibility for accessories in your home, all while maintaining the highest level of security.”
Game Center improvements
Game Center is slated for a few improvements in iOS 16 — just not right away. The biggest Game Center feature missing is the lack of SharePlay integration, which will now come at a later date.
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Michael Grothaus
Apple expert and novelist, Michael Grothaus has been working with technology on KnowYourMobile for 10 years. Before that, he worked at Apple. And before that, he was a film journalist. Michael is a published author; his book Epiphany Jones was named one of the best novels about Hollywood by Weekly entertainment. Michael is also a writer for other publications, including VICE and Fast Company.
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