Our Guide To iOS 13

Is 13 lucky for some? David Crookes looks at the best new features in the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system

- David Crookes

So, another iOS update then?

Yes, it’s that time of year again. With iOS 13 (bit.ly/ios486), Apple has freshened up its operating system for the iPhone and iPod Touch (the iPad now has the separate iPadOS), bringing a host of new features, a few tweaks and a boost to device performance. Most of these additions will help strengthen iOS’s position in an Android-dominated industry but there have been some teething troubles and frustrations, particularly with small changes made to long-established processes.

Does iOS 13 look different?

Not immediately. The familiar grid of icons remains, as does the dock, but there are fresh wallpapers and a new dark color scheme. This Dark Mode can be turned on and off in the Settings and can even be scheduled to activate at a particular time of the day. Third-party app developers are also being allowed access to the mode so all apps should one day have a Dark Mode that can be controlled by the user.

How different does it feel?

That depends on how you use iOS. Most notably, 3D Touch has been replaced by Haptic Touch – you no longer have to press hard on an icon to view contextual menus because a long-press will do the trick. This speeds up the process and should make you more likely to use the icon shortcuts, such as quickly taking a selfie without opening the Camera app. Apps now open more quickly and Face ID unlocks 30% faster than before.

So why are some users frustrated?