Is iOS/iPadOS 14 worth upgrading? Just read this article

After three months of testing, the official version of iOS/iPadOS 14 finally arrived on September 17. The following compatible devices can be updated to the latest iOS/iPadOS 14. Since it is a major version update, it is recommended to back up the data before updating.

• iPhone: iPhone 11 series / iPhone XS series / iPhone X / iPhone 8 series / iPhone 7 series / iPhone 6s series / iPhone SE (1st and 2nd generation) / iPod touch (7th generation)
• iPad: iPad Pro series/ iPad Air (2nd and 3rd generation)/ iPad (5th, 6th and 7th generation)/ iPad mini (4th and 5th generation)

We have summarized the upgrade changes and highlights of iOS / iPadOS 14 in this article. If you are a little confused about the features of the new system, you may wish to refer to it before upgrading.

• 3 major appearance changes

In the perception of all users, the first impression of the new system is always the change in appearance, such as the flat design of iOS 7, the control center of iOS 10, and the dark mode of iOS 13. For iOS 14, the most intuitive change is the redesigned "widgets". Now this function is no longer limited to the "negative one screen", but supports adding to the home screen.

In addition, the App library and compact UI interface design are also a highlight of the new system in terms of appearance.

1. New widgets

The biggest change in the appearance design of iOS 14 is the addition of a newly designed widget. Widgets that could previously only be stored on the negative one screen can now be placed on the home screen, and are available in three sizes: large, medium, and small.

Widgets of the same size on the home screen can also be stacked, with up to 10 widgets being able to be stacked at the same time. You can switch between different widgets by swiping up and down.

Long press a widget and select "Edit Widget" to edit the display format of the widget. For example, the weather/clock widget can change the weather/time displayed in different cities; the reminder/memo widget can change the displayed reminder list/memo.

2. App Library

In addition to widgets, another major change in iOS 14 is on the new "rightmost screen". This page is called "App Resource Library" and is a "warehouse" that collects all apps. You can find all the apps installed on your phone here.

The App Library has a built-in classification function. The two folders in the first row are fixed "Suggestions" and "Recently Added". The former contains apps that are recommended by the system based on your usage habits, and the latter contains apps that have been downloaded recently. The other folders except the first row are classification folders generated by the system based on different application types, such as social, tool, entertainment, etc.

3. Compact phone call/Siri interface

Although the iOS system is very easy to use, it sometimes fails in some details. For example, the volume control pop-up window, full-screen display of incoming calls and other designs often drive people crazy.

In iOS 13, Apple changed the volume control pop-up window to a control bar, and this time in iOS 14, it is finally the turn of incoming calls to be displayed in full screen. Now incoming phone/FaceTime calls will appear at the top of the screen as a banner instead of full screen.

Siri also uses a compact interface. When you make a request, Siri pops up from the bottom of the screen. When Siri responds, it appears at the top of the screen like a notification. In the streamlined new layout, Siri's responses have been updated to only show the information you need.

• 10+ New Features

1. Picture-in-Picture

iOS 14 now supports the “Picture in Picture” feature. Now you can complete other tasks while playing videos/FaceTime video calls. The picture-in-picture window also supports zooming in, out, and minimizing and hiding.

2. New Memoji

Memoji has been updated in iOS 14, adding 10 new hairstyles, 18 new headwear, 6 age options, and new mask decorations. And Memoji also uses a brand new facial and muscle structure.

3. New features of AirPods

In iOS 14, AirPods will support "spatial audio" and "automatic switching".

The former can automatically switch the appropriate surround channels when listening to audio with specific space, giving the listener a feeling that the sound is always coming from the direction of the device; the latter allows AirPods to seamlessly switch pairing between different devices without manual settings. For example, when you end a call on your iPhone and pick up your iPad to listen to a podcast, AirPods will automatically switch over.

4. New Translation App

The new translation app added in iOS 14 is a native application created by Apple. It currently supports 11 languages ​​including English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.

5. Siri sends audio messages

Now, you can use Siri to send audio messages on iOS and CarPlay, and WeChat may also support this feature in the future.

6. New features of the map application

The Maps app in iOS 14 introduces new cycling routes to guide you along bike paths. You can preview the cycling route, check the traffic conditions of the streets along the way, and plan the route to avoid steep slopes or stairs.

In addition, you can also add your license plate number to the map application to receive traffic restriction reminders when traveling.

7. Pay more attention to privacy details

iOS 14 has added a number of privacy protection mechanisms. Whenever an app uses your microphone or camera, iOS will display an indicator in the app and in the control center. A yellow dot will be displayed when the microphone is used, and a green dot will be displayed when the camera is used.

When using the location feature in the Maps app, it will now only show your approximate location instead of your exact location.

Photo library access restrictions have also been optimized in iOS 14. If an app requests access to your photos, you can choose to share only specific items or allow access to your entire library.

8. Support custom default email and browser apps

iOS 14 supports changing the default browser and email apps. You can now select third-party browsers and mail apps as new default apps.

9. Faster continuous shooting speed

After updating to iOS 14, the continuous shooting speed of some models has increased by up to 90%. The continuous shooting speed of the iPhone 11 Pro Max updated to iOS 14 can reach 4 frames per second, and the continuous shooting speed of older devices has also increased to a certain extent;

10. Improved QR code scanning function

iOS 14 optimizes the QR code experience. Now, even if the QR code is small or wrapped in other objects, it can be scanned successfully.

11. Automatic mirroring of the front camera

A new “front camera mirroring” function has been added to the camera settings, so you don’t need to flip the photo after taking a selfie.

For the changes of the Camera/Photo App in the new system, please refer to our previous article: "What are the new changes in the "Camera" and "Album" in iOS 14?"

12. Sleep Mode

New features in the Health app in iOS 14 can help you prioritize sleep to improve your overall health and well-being. Set a goal for the number of hours of sleep you want each night, then create a daily schedule for going to bed and waking up.

When you enter Sleep Mode, iPhone turns on Do Not Disturb mode, so you don’t have to worry about calls, text messages, and notifications disturbing you at night. Sleep Mode also dims the phone screen and displays the date, time, tomorrow’s alarm, and the activities you’ve set before bed to help you sleep.

13. Wubi Keyboard

iOS 14 supports the use of Wubi input method, making typing easier and faster for users familiar with this input method.

14. New auxiliary functions (sound recognition/headphone adjustment/touch on the back of the device)

Accessibility features have also been upgraded in iOS 14, with several new practical features added.

• Sound Recognition: With on-device intelligence, the Sound Recognition feature can alert users so they don’t miss the warning sounds in their surroundings. When iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch detects certain types of sounds or warning sounds, such as fire alarms, doorbells, etc., users will receive a prompt on the device.
• Headphone Accommodations: This new accessibility feature is specially designed to amplify soft sounds and adjust certain frequencies for individual hearing, so that music, movies, phone calls and podcasts sound clearer and crisper.
• Tap Back: This feature provides a simple and convenient way for users who need accessibility features to trigger various actions. You can set double or triple tapping on the back of iPhone to trigger certain actions, such as opening the magnifier or starting VoiceOver when iPhone is in your pocket.

15. Recording optimization function

The Voice Memos app in iOS 14 has added a new “Recording Optimization” feature, which can reduce background noise and room reverberation with just one tap.

16. Apple Pencil experience upgrade

The biggest upgrade of iPadOS 14 is the Apple Pencil experience. With the "Scribble" function, we can use Apple Pencil to handwrite in any text field, and the written text will be converted into text, avoiding the tedious switching between handwriting and touch. And this function also adds many "writing gestures", such as crossing out, circling, long pressing to add space, supporting mixed writing of different languages, selecting/copying handwritten text, etc.