On September 7th, 2020, Apple device users all around the world had something to rejoice about– iOS 14 was launched. iPhone users are in luck, as they can update their devices to the latest operating system instead of purchasing a new device. The iOS 14 operating system is one of the biggest updates to date, as it introduced more features, designs, and application changes than almost all of the previous updates. For instance, iOS 14 has a redesigned home screen where you can create widgets to personalize your home screen in an unique way. Widgets elevate key content from your frequently used apps, making your iPhone more organized and convenient. Here are some additional benefits of downloading Apple’s new update.

Emoji Search

The first advantage of iOS 14 is its ability to search for Emojis. Forget about the times where you needed to helplessly scroll through each and every Emoji just to find one. The new operating system allows device users to find the appropriate Emoji when sending a text message by simply pressing the main keyboard. This action displays the Emoji library on the upper left side of the screen and a search box on the top. You can type the Emoji name to find the one you would like to use. In my opinion, the best thing about using the Emoji search button is how  convenient and time-friendly it is. iPhone users should consider this vast improvement to save time and be more efficient when texting.

Widgets on the Home Screen

The greatest noticeable change from the typical iOS updates is the new launchpad-style home screen, which includes real and powerful widgets. The previous iOS versions had widgets that could only be accessed by swiping the home screen left to right since you could only hold down on icons to preview items. However, the new iOS 14 has changed everything since it now allows you to place different icons, such as weather or maps on the home page. They are also more elegant and intelligent than before. For example, the new widget feature called ‘Smart Stacks’ can pile multiple widgets on each other and rotate to place the most relevant one on top. Many people have taken advantage of this feature to personalize their home screen as they wish, using themes and other memorabilia. Hence, it has transformed the home screen experience by introducing original and creative tools for all.

Better Navigation using the App Library

App management is essential for smartphone users, especially those who download tons of apps from the App Store. iOS 14 has made the process of finding applications easier by creating a separate home page with groups of app icons that are automatically organized based on their categories. You can access the app library with the new operating system by swiping all the way left on the home screen. With the new app manager, iPhone users can also hide unnecessary applications from view. The new app library organizes apps making it easier for you to locate them. Additionally, it makes your screen pretty and aesthetically pleasing, something that can make your mobile experience a lot more enjoyable.

Compact Phone Calls

iOS 14 also introduced another pleasant change called the ‘Compact Interface’, which allows incoming phone calls to display as a small icon at the top of the device’s display instead of occupying the entire screen. You can swipe down on the icon to receive the call or swipe up to dismiss it. The banner also has “accept” and “reject” buttons. This new function is advantageous because it prevents the unpleasant full-screen pop-up and the sudden interruption when you receive a phone call. 

Although there is much more that iOS 14 has to offer to all of the Apple users out there, these are definitely the most radical modifications and some of my personal favorites. iOS 14 offers multiple benefits that iPhone and iPad users should consider using.