iOS 14: A Quick Tour of All the New Features

Over the course of the iOS 14 beta test, we here at MacRumors have been putting together in-depth feature guides, tutorial videos, and how tos on the new features in the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 updates.

How To iOS 14 Feature

Many of our MacRumors readers have likely been running the betas for a couple of months now, but those who are new to the update will want to check out all of the content we have available below. It's also a great resource to send to friends and family members who have questions about iOS and iPadOS 14 content.

So...You Just Installed iOS 14?

If you just installed iOS 14, it's always a little daunting to figure out how to take advantage of all the new features. We made this video to walk a new iOS 14 user through the first things you should do to start taking advantage of the new features.

Now that you're set up with the basics, let's move on to our top iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 features.

Top iOS 14 Features for iPhone

In our Top iOS 14 Features article and video, we highlighted what we thought were the best features of the release. Watch the video or read the article which dives into the features in a bit more depth.

Video time index links:

iPad-Specific Features in iPadOS 14

iPad owners also get a number of new features specifically for their devices. iPadOS 14 Features You Need to Know covered notable iPad-only features that can be found in the latest update. Similarly, the video will take you through them all but the article expands on each feature.

Video time index links:

More Subtle "Hidden" Features

Once you've absorbed all that, here's our "hidden" feature list that incorporates lesser known items that we've found and liked in iOS 14:

This video covers features like sound recognition, 4K YouTube, FaceTime eye contact, and more.

In Depth iOS 14 Feature Guides

These are in-depth guides that cover all the new features in the main sections of iOS 14.

  • Home Screen Setup: App Library, Widgets, Hiding Apps
  • Compact Interface: Phone Calls, FaceTime, Siri and More
  • Privacy Features: Approximate Location, Clipboard Access Warnings, Limited Photos Access and More
  • Photos and Camera: QuickTake Shortcut, Photo Captions, Mirrored Selfies, and More
  • Messages: Pinned Chats, Inline Replies, Mentions
  • Safari: Privacy Report, Built-In Translation, Compromised Password Alerts and More
  • Sleep Features: Sleep Mode, Wind Down, Sleep Tracking and More
  • Translate: Apple's Built-In Translate App That Works With 11 Languages
  • Maps: Cycling Directions, Guides, Refine Location and More
  • New AirPods Features: Spatial Audio, Better Automatic Device Switching, Battery Notifications and More
  • Magnifier Gets Overhauled UI and New Features, Can Be Added to Home Screen

Useful How Tos

iOS 14 Discussion

MacRumors readers use our iOS 14 forum to discuss software performance, minor tweaks, apps, and more. Our forums are also a great resource if you need iOS 14 help.

More Help

Have a question not covered in our guides and how tos? Let us know in the comments or send us an email here. Send us an email here. You can always find more on all of the iOS 14 features in our iOS 14 roundup.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

synergize Avatar
55 months ago
The way Apple organizes the Apps in the App library is not how I want them organized, most of it is illogical.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joniz Avatar
55 months ago
Top iOS 14 Features for iPhone
I wouldn’t include App Library as a Top Feature.


I haven’t upgraded yet, but I am confused about the lingo around the App Library. I don’t understand why there would ever be an “Add to App Library” function. Aren’t all your apps in your App Library automatically just by being on your phone?

I understand “Keep in App Library”. Delete this app from my home screen but don’t delete it from the phone, so it’s still available via the App Library. But you shouldn’t ever have to put an app there, right? It’s automatically there.

Or do I misunderstand?
No one understands the point of App Library.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NickPires Avatar
55 months ago

Still got built in people tracking?

Thanks I'll pass.
I love this take. It’s a feature that is not only turned off BY DEFAULT, but it requires a third party app be voluntarily installed in order for it to be turned on. If you don’t want to be “tracked” I’d suggest you probably throw away your phone, computer, and any credit or debit cards you have.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tominco Avatar
55 months ago

The way Apple organizes the Apps in the App library is not how I want them organized, most of it is illogical.
App Library is utterly pointless. It's only valuable if you are the one who decides where things go. Besides, what does it provides that folders don't.

and I'd like the option to return phone call and FaceTime notifications to full screen. I never really found it a problem.

and with the new widgets, where did my list of favorite numbers go?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattan_lines Avatar
55 months ago
Is anyone else experiencing serious battery drain with iOS 14? My phone (iPhone 11 Pro Max) drains so fast and gets so hot that it doesn't even charge when it's plugged in. My phone seems to STILL drain battery while plugged in if I'm using it. I'm not on the Developer beta for 14.2 yet, I'm on the GM iOS 14 beta, so this shouldn't be an issue related to the beta.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
55 months ago

I wouldn’t include App Library as a Top Feature.



No one understands the point of App Library.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/app-library-i-hate-it.2254804/
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)