Best iOS 14 Features That You Should Know in 2024

Apple’s new major update, iOS 14, released worldwide, the latest iOS, everyone’s looking for what’s new and more. According to our review, iOS 14 is arguably the most significant update ever for the iPhone Custome Home screen design. The research says iOS 14 is now installed on more than 35% of iPhones across the world. The best part comes, all the iOS 13 supported iPhones can download and install the latest iOS 14 version and taste the incredible features of the new iOS. Beginning with the revamped iOS Home Screen covering almost all the system apps and features to re-decorate and add more functionalities, Apple didn’t miss the opportunity.

I’d ask you to update iPhone to the latest iOS 14, if already not (Settings App > General > Software Update), and continue along with the list of the best iOS 14 Features that you don’t want to miss. I can assure you and iOS 14 will take the iPhone to the next level.

Best iOS 14 New Features List

iOS 14 hidden Features [Top 10 Tips & Tricks for iPhone users]

#1. App Library page that is last on the iOS Home screen

App Library aims to gather all the applications of the iPhone in a single App Page, well organized, filtered by category. On updating the iPhone to the iOS 14, App Library automatically appears to the end of the App Pages, and unfortunately, can’t be removed. Different categories like Social Apps, Fitness, Health, Banking Apps, Games, Apple Arcade, and more will be included in one page that can be scrolled down to the end.

Thankfully, Apple has also ensured to give you quick access to the most used apps by offering Suggestions Card, and secondly, the Recently Added Card will store all the latest downloaded apps.

Our best suggestion for you is to keep one or two App pages and hide the rest of them. This will directly reduce the jammed home screen of the iPhone while providing access to all the apps from App Library.

To do so, press and hold anywhere to enable Jiggle Mode on iPhone, and tap on the Dock. Then uncheck the App Pages that you want to remove and tap Done.

Refer to our detailed guide on How to Use App Library on iOS 14.

#2. Picture in Picture

Picture in Picture is a great feature; for years, Android users are already enjoying it, but Apple has added picture-in-picture to the iPhone for the first time. With pictures in picture mode, you can easily watch the videos and continue using other applications of the iPhone. This will be more helpful when you want to keep YouTube Videos on and chat with friends.

Other than that, picture in picture mode is suitable for FaceTime, works flawlessly. You may have experienced PIP mode in WhatsApp, but Apple’s PIP is quite advanced; it can be re-adjusted anywhere on the home screen. You can even hide the picture in picture video while the audio will continue playing in the background.

However, there are limited applications that work with Picture in Picture mode, Apple TV, Podcasts, Safari, FaceTime, iTunes, and Homes.

You can visit our separate tutorial to explain how to use Picture in Picture Mode on YouTube.

#3. Messages App (Filter Messages, Inline Messages, Pinned Chats, Mentions, etc)

Messages App got various features, and you’ll love all of them. This time iOS 14 is targeting the Group Chats of the Messages App.

Filter Messages

The very first thing is, you can bifurcate the Message Threads by choosing to display All Messages, Known Senders, and Unknown Senders. All Messages will show messages from known, unknown senders in a single feed. In contrast, Known Senders and Unknown Senders are limited to display messages.

If you don’t want to deal with computerized offers or insurance spam messages, filter the settings to Known Senders.

After opening the Messages App, choose your preference.

Pinned Chats

You can pin favorite conversations at the top of the Messages App. At a time, iPhone lets you pin up to 9 talks, which can be accessed by scrolling pinned chats side by side. Pinned chats are easy to access; it also shows a typing indicator is a person who has set Memoji or Photo right on the image’s mouth.

All the unread chats appear front in the row or pinned chats.

Swipe right on the Conversation to Pin it.

Inline Replies

Inline Replies keeps the threads look different and shows the messages inline so that you won’t lose the essential message of the session.

Mentions

We’ve been using Mentions for a long time in Facebook, WhatsApp Groups, Twitter, and many other apps; it works the same in Messages App too, with an iOS 14 update.

Mentions in Messages App can only be used in the Group Conversations; besides, if you have muted the group chat, but someone has mentioned you, the iPhone will notify that particular message.

Typing Indicators

With the latest iOS 14 update, the typing indicator shows up on the main screen, no need to open the Conversation to determine whether someone is typing or not.

Memoji

Undoubtedly, the Memoji got new Faces, Expressions, and several other tools to designed avatars efficiently.

#4. Translate App

Presenting Apple’s Translate app, you don’t have to use Google Translate anymore; by default, the Translate App will be there in iOS 14 or later. As of now, here are some languages you can use in the Translate app, Spanish, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, German, Italian, English, Korean, and Japanese.

Translate App is more than just translating your phrases; it works offline. Therefore, there is no more need to have an active internet connection to translate, although it can be only possible after downloading the language package; use Dictate or manual text entry, whatever you want.

Turn the iPhone into landscape mode to enlarge the Translation, which they call an Attention Mode.

I find the Translate app tricky to use, though you would appreciate a detailed article on How to Use Translate App on iPhone iOS 14.

#5. Add Captions to Photos

If you own Mac, then probably aware the adding caption using the description field of the Photos App is much easier. However, the feature is expanded to iOS 14.

When you add the captions in the Photos, these changes also reflect in the iCloud Photo Library across all the iPhone or Apple Devices signed in with the same Apple ID.

This feature is more than just adding captions to the photos, and you can use the Captions to locate the pictures in the library by searching. We are still hoping Apple would let us edit the metadata in a future update. Till then, learn how to Add Captions to Photos on iOS 14.

  • Open the Photos app, then tap on the Photo.
  • Swipe up and find the Caption field. Enter the caption and Save

#6. Car Key

Car Key is remarkably the best thing we are getting with iOS 14. It is an NFC-based feature, allows you to unlock the car using the iPhone; what’s more surprising than this? Other than opening the Car, you can use the iPhone to start the vehicle, however only when placed on the wireless charger or NFC reader, and most importantly, when iPhone is inside the car.

The digital key is securely stored in the Wallet App, which can be shared with whomever you want. Dont worry about the iPhone battery; the Car Key is designed to work for five more hours when iPhone is dead.

Miserably, Car Key depends on the Car Manufacturer, so it might not work with your current car. However, the BMW 5 Series will be the first-ever car supporting NFC-based Car Unlocking.

#7. App Clips

Call App Clips as the subpart of the App; if you need to use App for once you don’t have, download the App Clips rather than install the whole app. Installing App Clips is pretty simple, Scan the QR Code, Apple-designed App Clip code, or the NFC tag to use the App Clip-on iPhone.

For instance, if you find some restaurant exciting and want to visit, use the App Clip of that restaurant and make reservations. Once you are done, the App Clips will be eliminated from the iPhone automatically.

All the recently used App Clips will appear in the App Library but won’t be stored on iPhone.

#8. Widget Stacks & Widget Smart Stack

You can now design a very own App Page of your iPhone, whether you want to keep the Widgets in between the apps or keep the rotating Widgets Stack on iPhone Home Screen; anything is possible in iOS 14.

Apart from adding Widgets to the Home Screen, there is an option to add the Smart stack. The Smart Stacks are the widgets that periodically rotates based on your interest and more of using the iPhone intelligence.

  • Touch and hold the iPhone home screen, and bring it to the Jiggle Mode.
  • Tap on the Plus icon at the top-left corner.
  • Then, start adding as much as Widgets you want.
  • For rotating widgets, choose Smart Stacks.
  • Furthermore, set the Size of Smart Stacks and add it to the home screen.

Here’s the complete guide on How to Add/Remove/Edit Widgets on iPhone iOS 14.

#9. Minimized Phone Call Notifications

When incoming calls on iPhone cover up the entire screen, the time has been passed, whether you are interested in that incoming call or not, and breaks gameplay as the whole, mainly while playing games. So iOS 14 updates make sure that when any incoming calls ring your iPhone, it won’t cover the iPhone screen, just a small banner at the top that can be avoided by swiping up or can be answered right there.

This interface is applicable for FaceTime Calls, as well as other apps providing VoIP Calls.

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#10. Third-Party Default Apps

You don’t have to use the Safari and Mail app forcefully, and iOS 14 lets you set the other browsers and mail apps as default. So, for instance, Google Chrome and other email service providers, including Edison, Sparks, etc., can default.

#11. Back Tap

Back Tap is all Accessibility feature; how great can you take a screenshot by double tapping back? Or Mute the iPhone or open Control Center or Siri; whatever. Likewise, you can have a triple-tap too. So you get two easy tasks to operate without following filthy procedures all the time. Here’s the way.

  1. Launch the Settings App on the iPhone.
  2. Tap Accessibility.
  3. Then, select Touch.
  4. In the end, tap on Back Tap.
  5. Choose either Double Tap or Triple Tap.
  6. Set any of the options for Double Tap or Triple Tap, whichever you choose before.

This is it! Now Double Tap or Triple Tap the back of the iPhone to launch the function. Check out the post on how to enable/disable Back Tap on iPhone.

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#12. Sound Recognition

With iOS 14, your iPhone is way smarter; it uses iPhone’s intelligence and detects the iPhone’s sound. So, for instance, you forget the tap open, the iPhone will show an alert if it detects the water rushing out in the washbasin or say your baby is crying in another room, it will send you a sign. This is how Sound Recognition works.

  1. Navigate to the Settings App.
  2. Open Accessibility.
  3. Find Sound Recognition.
  4. Turn On Sound Recognition.
  5. Then, turn on the sounds from there.

A word of caution, don’t use Sound Recognition for Emergencies, or while driving on the road, or anywhere you may get harmed or others.

#13. Group FaceTime Now Detects Sign Language

Group FaceTime was a more significant update last year; iOS 14 got a little more. Now the Group FaceTime is more active than ever, and it can detect the person trying to speak something using Signs and give them a big screen just like the group person is speaking loud on Group FaceTime.

#14. Rename Bluetooth Devices

As we recall, Apple didn’t announce minor features on stage. Usually, we call them a hidden feature. For example, renaming Bluetooth Devices on iOS 14 is a remote feature; it works just like its name. So you don’t have to deal with chaotic Bluetooth paired devices list on iPhone, customize the connected device by giving them different names, so you can easily remove or re-connect in one shot.

  1. Open the Settings App.
  2. Tap Bluetooth.
  3. Tap on the (i) button next to the Paired Bluetooth device.
  4. Then, select the Name option to rename it.

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#15. Optimized Battery Charging for AirPods

The Optimized Battery Charging was back launched for iOS devices. Still, now for the first time, AirPods get to use the optimized battery charging feature to increase the battery aging of AirPods. That said,

“To reduce battery aging, AirPods learn from your daily charging routine so they can wait to finish charging past 80% until you need to use them.”

You don’t have to enable this feature, and it will automatically start working and show a notification saying that optimized battery charging is enabled.

#16. Search Emoji in Default Keyboard

Did you ever stuck in a situation where you can’t find the Emoji but need to reply fast? Nothing can be compared with Emoji when we want to express ourselves, and it keeps our texts lively and more attractive. This fall, on iOS and iPadOS, it’s been much easier to find the emoji by doing a direct search right in Apple’s default keyboard. Try it.

#17. Remove Background Noise in Voice Memos

Voice Memos are the best way to record messages, dialogues, some important instructions, or anything. Usually, when we record any clip-on Voice Memos, the iPhone catches the background noise too, which can genuinely destroy our message, but with iOS 14, you can remove the background noise and only keep the voice memos focused on your voice.

Tap on the upper left Sparkling stick symbol to remove background noise in Voice Memos.

#18. Zoom More in Photos

Zooming Photos has improved incredibly; till now, users were not satisfied with the results of zooming photos; sometimes, the pictures got stretched and not visible. However, thanks to iOS 14, it doesn’t need any technique or hack to get more into photos; use your fingers and zoom the image for a detailed view.

Furthermore, we expect accuracy in this feature, so stay tuned and keep the iPhone updated to the latest firmware.

#19. Drag & Drop Multiple Apps to Rearrange on Home Screen

Arranging App Icons on iPhone is never easier than iOS 14; first of all, the App Library, what a fantastic feature. No doubt, you may have used this kind of theme on Android phones, but for iOS users, it’s still no less than a surprise.

To drag and drop multiple apps on iPhone, all you have to do is bring the home screen into jiggle mode, long-press the app or blank screen, that will do, and then move the first application from its position, for multiple applications, collect other applications and keep it with the first app.

Then switch the App Page to drop and lastly tap Done.

#20. Updated Game Center

Game Center is a lost cause for Apple, and few people like to use the Game Center of iPhone. Fortunately, Apple hasn’t forgotten this and gave a push to its interface and several on-screen changes to connect gamers. Players can see your achievements, Game Center profiles, leaderboards from the revamped dashboard directly from the Apple Arcade.

Alternatively, you can catch your friend’s progress using the Game Center without asking everyone and get the idea of which games are played by your friends.

#21. Power Reserve Mode

Power Reserve Mode is uniquely available to certain iPhones, including iPhone X or later, that usually keep the iPhone usable for selected applications when your iPhone dies of low battery. Up to five hours, the power reserve mode keeps the iPhone active for specific apps. Mainly, the Power Reserve Mode targets, the NFC tags, Car Keys, Apple Pay, and so on will help you reach home in emergencies.

#22. Smart Folder in Voice Memos

Folder

Do you frequently record Voice Memos? Then it’s hard to manage all of them; the iOS 14’s Voice Memos Update brings an ability to organize the Voice Memos into the folder.

Smart Folders

Suppose you don’t have time to organize the Voice Memos recordings. In that case, the system will detect the recordings and categorize them into several folders such as Apple Watch recordings, Favorites, and recently deleted recordings. You can also manually Favorite the recording to access it from the Favorite folder directly.

#23. Resume the Podcast Where You Left (Up Next & Discover Podcasts)

Earlier, the Podcast app wasn’t so much used to discover the exciting podcasts you may like. However, this fall, the Up Next feature lets you explore the new podcasts of your likings; also, the same Up Next button can resume the previous podcast so you can continue from where you left.

#24. Powerful Notes App (Advanced Search, Shape Recognition, Pin Notes, etc.)

The Notes App is now getting better and better with new updates; this time, the Notes app uses the on-device intelligence to search the Notes super fast.

Shape Recognition in Notes App:

The title itself is enough to understand what this is about. Then, draw any shape such as an arrow, star, ball, or anything; the Notes app will give the perfect finish to the roughly drawn object.

Pinned Notes:

You can expand or collapse the list of pinned notes.

Format the Text:

Using the inbuilt formatting tools such as Bold, Italic, Heading, and other styles, you can prepare a professional note to share with clients and colleagues on the go.

Scan Documents:

Scanning Documents on iPhone don’t need any third-party scanning apps, head to the Notes App and scan documents.

Improved Action Menu:

All the quick settings comprising Scanning, Locking, Pinning, and Deleting Notes are accommodated to the action menu.

#25. Add Files Widget

The Files app of the iPhone is the ultimate way to explore the media, documents, and other files stored on the iPhone. Earlier, we have to open the Files app and find the document every time we need; iOS 14 lets you add Files Widget in Today View and Home Screen.

#26. Improved Weather Widget

The Weather widget of the iPhone usually shows the Cupertino rather than the current location, which has been fixed in iOS 14. So now you can see the current location in the Weather widget.

#27. Set Emoji in Reminders

It is a sort of creature feature, and if you love to decorate the iPhone, and use the Reminders app, then I bet you’ll love the Emoji in Reminders. This will make it easier to identify what’s the reminder about.

#28. Update in Control Center

The Control Center of iOS 14 shows you the application on the top that accessed the Camera and Microphone of the device.

#29. iOS 14 Lets You Store New Apps to App Library/Home Screen (Decide)

While introducing App Library, it was unclear that will we get an option to store the newly added apps to the Home Screen or just in App Library. Technically both have their differences; if any app is essential to us, adding it to Home Screen would be our first choice. So here’s how to choose between them.

  1. Open the Settings App.
  2. Tap Home Screen.
  3. Choose where do you want to add New App Downloads: Add to Home Screen or App Library Only.

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Karly Wood

Karly Wood, a Wellington-based journalist, excels in covering Apple and tech trends. With a diverse background in public safety, government, and education reporting, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, offering readers a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. Contact Her Team:- [email protected] [OR] [email protected]

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