Hands-On With iOS 15: See Apple's New Operating System Update in Action

Apple yesterday unveiled iOS 15, the newest version of the iOS operating system that runs on the iPhone (and the iPad with iPadOS 15). iOS 15 is a significant update that introduces many important new features, and we thought we'd give MacRumors readers a first look at the new software.


Not everything that was announced yesterday is functional right now, with Apple planning to roll out and refine features over the beta testing period, but there are quite a few changes that you can see right now after installing iOS 15.

There are major updates to FaceTime and Messages with a new SharePlay feature for listening to music and watching videos with friends, plus a new Focus mode that lets you focus on the task at hand whether that's work, personal time, or something else.

Maps has been overhauled with an updated design and more detail in select cities, plus it supports AR walking directions for the first time. Safari supports Tab Groups for improved organization, and later this year, you'll be able to add your ID card to the Wallet app in some U.S. states. Photos can now read written text and translate it to typed text, and the app can also identify landmarks, plants, pets, and more.

Make sure to watch the video up above to see iOS 15 in action, and for a more complete look at everything that's new in iOS 15, we have a dedicated roundup that walks through all of the new features.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

iOS 18

iOS 18.4 Coming Next Week With These New Features for Your iPhone

Friday February 14, 2025 6:18 am PST by
The first iOS 18.4 beta for iPhones should be just around the corner, and the update is expected to include many new features and changes. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman expects the iOS 18.4 beta to be released by next week. Below, we outline what to expect from iOS 18.4 so far. Apple Intelligence for Siri Siri is expected to get several enhancements powered by Apple Intelligence on iOS...
iPhone 17 Roundup Feature 2

iPhone Design to Change 'Significantly' This Year

Monday February 17, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple is set to "significantly change" the iPhone's design language later this year, according to a Weibo leaker. In a new post, the user known "Digital Chat Station" said that the iPhone's design is "starting to change significantly" this year. The "iPhone 17 Air" reportedly features a "horizontal, bar-shaped" design on the rear, likely referring to an elongated camera bump. On the other...
apple launch feb 2025 alt

What to Expect From the 'Apple Launch' Next Week

Thursday February 13, 2025 11:48 am PST by
Apple has yet to announce any new devices this year, but that could change starting next week. Apple CEO Tim Cook today said to "get ready" for a "launch" on Wednesday, February 19. "Get ready to meet the newest member of the family," said Cook, in a social media post. The post includes an #AppleLaunch hashtag, along with a short video featuring an animated Apple logo inside of a circle....
Apple Maps 2024

Apple Maps Might Start Showing Ads

Sunday February 16, 2025 7:22 am PST by
Apple is "exploring" the idea of showing search ads in the Apple Maps app, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Back in 2022, Gurman said software engineering was "already underway" to display ads in the Apple Maps app, but Apple did not move forward with the idea at the time. Today, he said Apple is "giving this notion more thought" again. This time around, he said Apple has yet to...
Tim Cook Apple Park

10+ Announcements Apple Could Have Rolled Into a February Event

Saturday February 15, 2025 8:00 am PST by
Apple appears to have enough upcoming product announcements to justify a full event this month, yet all signs indicate these reveals will be handled through a series of press releases instead. There are a multitude of rumors from reliable sources about specific announcements in the coming weeks, so here's everything that Apple could have feasibly included in a hypothetical February event: ...
iPhone 17 Pro Render Front Page Tech

iPhone 17 Pro With All-New Camera Bar Design Allegedly Revealed

Thursday February 13, 2025 5:49 pm PST by
Apple's next-generation iPhone 17 Pro will feature three rear cameras arranged in a familiar triangular layout, but the cameras will be housed in an all-new rectangular camera bar with rounded corners, according to YouTube channel Front Page Tech. iPhone 17 Pro camera design render created by Asher for Front Page Tech In a video uploaded today, Front Page Tech host Jon Prosser said the camera ...
m2 pro mac mini

Apple is Now Selling a Refurbished Mac Mini for Just $319 (!)

Saturday February 15, 2025 9:58 am PST by
A few days ago, we reported that Apple's refurbished Mac mini pricing had a problem, and it appears that Apple has taken note. Apple was offering a refurbished Mac mini with the M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage for $559, which was $50 more than a refurbished Mac mini with the M4 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. All other key specifications were equal. That's no longer...
iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

Apple's Next iPhone SE Launching on Wednesday - Here's What We Know

Friday February 14, 2025 4:04 pm PST by
Apple CEO Tim Cook teased an Apple announcement that's coming on Wednesday, February 19, and it's looking like that mystery announcement will be the next-generation iPhone SE. We've been hearing about the iPhone SE 4 for quite some time now, and we essentially know everything to expect. If you want a sneak peek at what's coming, read on. Naming Apple first introduced the iPhone SE in...

Top Rated Comments

iGeneo Avatar
48 months ago
So many nice little touches ?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
augustrushrox Avatar
48 months ago
Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redscull Avatar
48 months ago

Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
Well I at least agree with you. It's like they've digitized the Fisher Price design philosophy. And filled the screen with bubbles too. I don't like it. Their trend is to use screen real estate less and less efficiently so the screens get bigger with more resolution and yet we don't actually get any more usability out of it.

I do really like a lot of the new features they announced. But the aesthetic is bleh.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
timeislove Avatar
48 months ago

I think you are alone. It is one thing to say you don't care for the new design which is fair. it is quite another to suggest that rounded corners make the display look kiddie and patronizing. There is nothing kiddie about round corners. You did a lot of bad projecting.
Kid-dised is just a choice of words. I am happy (and looking forward to) to see upgrade on Map, but I do agree that the new map detail does look like a bit less pro! To avoid from using the word “kiddised” , i would say the city map view looks like a Nintendo Switch version of Simcity.

Rather than upgrading the map details, I like them to enhance the POI support in the Map search (now a bit lacking and more street address based which would be fine for low dense cities and town but difficult for cities full of commercial buildings), also its integration with other native Apps like contact and calendar that they do not support carrying POI to Map app.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
48 months ago
I think I will make a MR focus so I don't get disturb. :D

edited to add: I am so glad that tabs and search box was put at the bottom were you fingers normally rest.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
48 months ago

I think I will make a MR focus so I don't get disturb. :D

edited to add: I am so glad that tabs and search box was put at the bottom were you fingers normally rest.
The maps look so rich and amazing. The details are crazy!!! Can it be September already?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)