Hands-On With iOS 11: New Control Center, Redesigned App Store, Files App and More

Following Monday's keynote event, Apple released its newest iPhone operating system, iOS 11, to developers.

iOS 11 won't be available for public beta testers until June and the general public will need to wait until the fall, but if you want to get a quick taste of what's coming in the update, check out our hands-on video below.


There are subtle design changes throughout iOS 11, with a focus on bolder fonts and borderless buttons. One of the most significant design changes can be seen in the Control Center, which has been entirely overhauled with a new look, deeper functionality, and better customization.

An entirely new App Store has been developed for iOS 11, and for the first time, apps and games are split out into their own sections. There's a "Today" view that's updated on a daily basis with recommendations, developer stories, and more.

Files, a new app, mimics the Finder in macOS and makes it easier to manage files on iOS devices, and Siri has a new, more natural voice. Messages has a new app drawer to make it easier to use stickers and apps, and there's a new built-in person-to-person Apple Pay feature for sending money to friends.

Maps includes indoor maps for malls and airports in select cities, and a Do Not Disturb While Driving feature is designed to keep users safe in the car. Apple Music features friend sharing, Photos includes new Live Photo editing options, and Notes supports handwriting recognition.

Along with these new features, there are several changes that are specific to the iPad. A new bottom Dock has been added, for example, and that dock is accessible from anywhere with a simple swipe up from the bottom of the display. A new App Switcher on the iPad (accessed with a double swipe) shows a tiled view of all the open apps to make switching faster and more Mac-like.

We'll have more videos covering iOS 11 features over the course of the week, so make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors.com.

Related Forum: iOS 11

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Top Rated Comments

cwwilson Avatar
106 months ago
We should be able get Control Center to look like this mockup.

Attachment Image
Score: 45 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dla.plexure.net Avatar
106 months ago
Still missing a fundamental feature here: be able to quickly swap from one WiFi network to another right out of the Control Center. Anyone else in the need of this?
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ds6778 Avatar
106 months ago
I mean... how often would someone REALLY be doing that... Seems like a rather silly "feature" to waste resource on.
Umm a lot of people... being able to 3D Touch deeper into Wifi and Bluetooth and actually pick which one you want/need at the moment seems like a huge oversight.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tomtendo Avatar
106 months ago
Still missing a fundamental feature here: be able to quickly swap from one WiFi network to another right out of the Control Center. Anyone else in the need of this?
I mean... how often would someone REALLY be doing that... Seems like a rather silly "feature" to waste resource on.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jay42 Avatar
106 months ago
Swiping down to get back to the lock screen is stupid. I never need to get back to the lock screen and now it's 2 swipes just to check notifications.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Ds6778 Avatar
106 months ago
Swiping down to get back to the lock screen is stupid. I never need to get back to the lock screen and now it's 2 swipes just to check notifications.

I agree. I love iOS but this update feels like a “we changed shyt just to change it.” The new lock screen and notification “hybrid” is utterly stupid.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)