Hands-On With iOS 15: See Apple's New Operating System Update in Action

Apple yesterday unveiled iOS 15, the newest version of the iOS operating system that runs on the iPhone (and the iPad with iPadOS 15). iOS 15 is a significant update that introduces many important new features, and we thought we'd give MacRumors readers a first look at the new software.


Not everything that was announced yesterday is functional right now, with Apple planning to roll out and refine features over the beta testing period, but there are quite a few changes that you can see right now after installing iOS 15.

There are major updates to FaceTime and Messages with a new SharePlay feature for listening to music and watching videos with friends, plus a new Focus mode that lets you focus on the task at hand whether that's work, personal time, or something else.

Maps has been overhauled with an updated design and more detail in select cities, plus it supports AR walking directions for the first time. Safari supports Tab Groups for improved organization, and later this year, you'll be able to add your ID card to the Wallet app in some U.S. states. Photos can now read written text and translate it to typed text, and the app can also identify landmarks, plants, pets, and more.

Make sure to watch the video up above to see iOS 15 in action, and for a more complete look at everything that's new in iOS 15, we have a dedicated roundup that walks through all of the new features.

Related Forum: iOS 15

Popular Stories

apple store down feature

Here's Why the Apple Store is Going Down

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:01 pm PST by
Apple's online store is going down for a few hours on a rolling country-by-country basis right now, but do not get your hopes up for new products. Apple takes its online store down for a few hours ahead of Black Friday every year to tease/prepare for its annual gift card offer with the purchase of select products. The store already went down and came back online in Australia and New Zealand, ...
iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
streaming black friday 2025

Best Black Friday Streaming Deals - Save Big on Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, and More

Thursday November 27, 2025 1:14 pm PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Apple TV, Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
Apple Foldable Thumb

Foldable iPhone to Debut These Three Breakthrough Features

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:09 am PST by
Apple's first foldable iPhone is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models in fall 2026, and it's shaping up to include three standout features that could set it apart from the competition. The book-style foldable will reportedly feature an industry-first 24-megapixel under-display camera built into the inner display, according to a recent JP Morgan equity research report. That...
iphone air camera

iPhone Air Flop Sparks Industry Retreat From Ultra-Thin Phones

Thursday November 27, 2025 3:14 am PST by
Apple's disappointing iPhone Air sales are causing major Chinese mobile vendors to scrap or freeze their own ultra-thin phone projects, according to reports coming out of Asia. Since the ‌iPhone Air‌ launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales and manufacturing cuts, while Apple's supply chain has scaled back shipments and production. Apple supplier Foxconn has...
streaming black friday 2025

Black Friday Streaming Deals Include Big Savings on Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and More

Monday November 24, 2025 8:03 am PST by
We've been focusing on deals on physical products over the past few weeks, but Black Friday is also a great time of year to purchase a streaming membership. Some of the biggest services have great discounts for new and select returning members this week, including Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a...
General Apps Messages Redux

Singapore Orders Changes to iMessage by December

Tuesday November 25, 2025 6:39 am PST by
Singapore has ordered Apple to block or filter messages on iMessage that impersonate government agencies, requiring the company to implement new anti-spoofing protections by December as part of efforts to curb rising online scams, the Straits Times reports. Singapore's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that it had issued an Implementation Directive to Apple under the Online Criminal Harms...

Top Rated Comments

iGeneo Avatar
58 months ago
So many nice little touches ?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
augustrushrox Avatar
58 months ago
Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
redscull Avatar
58 months ago

Maybe I'm alone, but I can't help but think that the progressive rounding of practically everything "kid-ifies" the OS and makes it feel almost patronizing. I believe there's a balance between sharp corners and so round that it looks like an OS for a toddler. Apple, it seems, has ventured now into the realm of "too round". Thoughts?
Well I at least agree with you. It's like they've digitized the Fisher Price design philosophy. And filled the screen with bubbles too. I don't like it. Their trend is to use screen real estate less and less efficiently so the screens get bigger with more resolution and yet we don't actually get any more usability out of it.

I do really like a lot of the new features they announced. But the aesthetic is bleh.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
timeislove Avatar
58 months ago

I think you are alone. It is one thing to say you don't care for the new design which is fair. it is quite another to suggest that rounded corners make the display look kiddie and patronizing. There is nothing kiddie about round corners. You did a lot of bad projecting.
Kid-dised is just a choice of words. I am happy (and looking forward to) to see upgrade on Map, but I do agree that the new map detail does look like a bit less pro! To avoid from using the word “kiddised” , i would say the city map view looks like a Nintendo Switch version of Simcity.

Rather than upgrading the map details, I like them to enhance the POI support in the Map search (now a bit lacking and more street address based which would be fine for low dense cities and town but difficult for cities full of commercial buildings), also its integration with other native Apps like contact and calendar that they do not support carrying POI to Map app.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
58 months ago
I think I will make a MR focus so I don't get disturb. :D

edited to add: I am so glad that tabs and search box was put at the bottom were you fingers normally rest.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
58 months ago

I think I will make a MR focus so I don't get disturb. :D

edited to add: I am so glad that tabs and search box was put at the bottom were you fingers normally rest.
The maps look so rich and amazing. The details are crazy!!! Can it be September already?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)