iOS 14 means big changes to your iPhone screen. This is how you will use them

Your iPhone ($ 699 at Apple) The home screen still looks and works almost the same as it did in the last 13 years, but all that will change when iOS 14 – which debuted on Monday at Annual Apple Global Developer Conference – is released to the public sometime this fall. (Developers, however, can download a beta version right now.)

Taking cues from the main features Android has had for yearsApple has focused much of the iOS 14 update on making the home screen easier to organize with more customization options, smarter hints, and more nimble and faster app experiences. The end result is a mobile operating system that does more to get out of your way, giving you faster and more direct access to the information, products and services you need.

Let’s take a look at the biggest new home screen layout and organization features announced at WWDC 2020, as well as how you’ll use them when iOS 14 hits your device.

iOS 14 can help you remove clutter from home screen

Unless you stay on top, after a while, the apps you download start to build up, and eventually your home screen starts to expand. Application library clean that spoils you – indirectly.

What it is: A home screen page moves one step past its last home screen page. The App Library lists all of your apps in intelligently selected category folders that show the most recently or frequently used apps at the top and all of your other apps by type.

How will you use it: Application library does not rearrange your home screens for you. But it does organize all your apps in a new view so you can quickly find and open them without turning page by page. You can also search or scroll by the name of the application.

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First shot: iOS 14 and all its new features

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You can trust the Application Library as much or as little as you like. If you prefer to select your own app folders as you have been, the App Library will still be there as the final page of your home screen if you need it. If you want some custom pages but use the App Library to quickly find everything else, you can choose which pages to hide and which to show. Or you can go all-inclusive and have nothing but a custom app page followed by the App Library.

How to start: First, it will activate the “jiggle mode” of your iPhone that you use to rearrange the applications. Once you’re in that view, you can tap the dotted row at the bottom of the screen, and then mark or unmark the home screen pages to keep or remove them from your typical view. The applications on the pages you uncheck will be accessible only from within the Applications Library, which you will access by turning the last page of your home screen.

Widgets can be resized and added to the home screen

Since its introduction in 2008, iOS widgets have been relegated to the Notification Center or View today. iOS 14 finally allows you to bring them to your home screen.

What it is: Home screen widgets They are large, dynamic “icons” displaying live app data such as weather or daily step count.

How will you use them: Instead of opening apps like weather, calendar, or fitness tracking apps to view your current data, you’ll be able to see an overview of your primary information displayed in a live stream on your home screen. One widget, Smart Stack, allows you to select and flip through various widgets. It will also allow you to display different widgets at different times of the day, all from one location on your home screen. So for example, you might see the weather report in the morning, a news widget in the afternoon, your step count in the afternoon, and relaxation mode before bed.

How to start: You can touch and hold a widget in Today view and move it to your home screen or, to do more, enter jiggle mode, then touch the + in the upper left corner and choose a widget. From there, you can slide the three available sizes, then drag and drop the one you want on your home screen.

App Clips: Mini applications that you can start without downloading

Sometimes you need to use an app once or twice, but the last thing you need is another app on your iPhone: Application clips allows you to access an application without having to download it. If you have been the person holding the line to download and sign up for an app that you will use once to pay for a parking meter, this is for you.

What it is: The basic functions of the application are executed from a pop-up window instead of a full application window.

How will you use them: If you need to use an app, but you know you may not need it again, for example to order take-out from a restaurant while on vacation, App Clips allows you to complete transactions and basic tasks without having to download the full app.

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Apple iOS 14 offers new ways to organize your home screen …

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How to start: App clips can be activated in many different ways: a web link, a text message, from within the Maps app, a QR code, or an NFC tag. Once you activate one, you will be able to sign in with Sign in with Apple and pay for any transaction with Apple Pay, and then exit the app without any more clutter on your iPhone storage or home screen than you started.

To see more changes coming to iPhones in the fall, here’s a deeper dive into all changes in iOS 14 announced at WWDC 2020. Once again, Apple doubles user privacy as it detailed by Alfred Ng of CNET here. Wondering if your current iPhone will be compatible with iOS 14? Here is a list of compatible devices to see if yours is one of them.