iOS 14: A Quick Tour of All the New Features

Over the course of the iOS 14 beta test, we here at MacRumors have been putting together in-depth feature guides, tutorial videos, and how tos on the new features in the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 updates.

How To iOS 14 Feature

Many of our MacRumors readers have likely been running the betas for a couple of months now, but those who are new to the update will want to check out all of the content we have available below. It's also a great resource to send to friends and family members who have questions about iOS and iPadOS 14 content.

So...You Just Installed iOS 14?

If you just installed iOS 14, it's always a little daunting to figure out how to take advantage of all the new features. We made this video to walk a new iOS 14 user through the first things you should do to start taking advantage of the new features.

Now that you're set up with the basics, let's move on to our top iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 features.

Top iOS 14 Features for iPhone

In our Top iOS 14 Features article and video, we highlighted what we thought were the best features of the release. Watch the video or read the article which dives into the features in a bit more depth.

Video time index links:

iPad-Specific Features in iPadOS 14

iPad owners also get a number of new features specifically for their devices. iPadOS 14 Features You Need to Know covered notable iPad-only features that can be found in the latest update. Similarly, the video will take you through them all but the article expands on each feature.

Video time index links:

More Subtle "Hidden" Features

Once you've absorbed all that, here's our "hidden" feature list that incorporates lesser known items that we've found and liked in iOS 14:

This video covers features like sound recognition, 4K YouTube, FaceTime eye contact, and more.

In Depth iOS 14 Feature Guides

These are in-depth guides that cover all the new features in the main sections of iOS 14.

  • Home Screen Setup: App Library, Widgets, Hiding Apps
  • Compact Interface: Phone Calls, FaceTime, Siri and More
  • Privacy Features: Approximate Location, Clipboard Access Warnings, Limited Photos Access and More
  • Photos and Camera: QuickTake Shortcut, Photo Captions, Mirrored Selfies, and More
  • Messages: Pinned Chats, Inline Replies, Mentions
  • Safari: Privacy Report, Built-In Translation, Compromised Password Alerts and More
  • Sleep Features: Sleep Mode, Wind Down, Sleep Tracking and More
  • Translate: Apple's Built-In Translate App That Works With 11 Languages
  • Maps: Cycling Directions, Guides, Refine Location and More
  • New AirPods Features: Spatial Audio, Better Automatic Device Switching, Battery Notifications and More
  • Magnifier Gets Overhauled UI and New Features, Can Be Added to Home Screen

Useful How Tos

iOS 14 Discussion

MacRumors readers use our iOS 14 forum to discuss software performance, minor tweaks, apps, and more. Our forums are also a great resource if you need iOS 14 help.

More Help

Have a question not covered in our guides and how tos? Let us know in the comments or send us an email here. Send us an email here. You can always find more on all of the iOS 14 features in our iOS 14 roundup.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
Apple 2025 Thumb 1

10 Products Still Coming From Apple in 2025

Friday April 11, 2025 4:14 pm PDT by
Apple may have updated several iPads and Macs late last year and early this year, but there are still multiple new devices that we're looking forward to seeing in 2025. Most will come in September or October, but there could be a few surprises before then. We've rounded up a list of everything that we're still waiting to see from Apple in 2025. iPhone 17, 17 Air, and 17 Pro - We get...
iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.4.1 With Bug Fixes

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:11 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.4.1 and iPadOS 18.4.1 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There have been complaints about ...
iPhone 6s MacRumors YouTube

Apple Says These Products Are Now Vintage

Tuesday April 15, 2025 9:53 am PDT by
Apple today updated its vintage products list to add the 2018 Mac mini and the iPhone 6s, devices that will get more limited service and repairs now that they are considered vintage. The iPhone 6s initially launched in 2015, but Apple kept it around as a low-cost device until 2018, which is why it is only now being added to the vintage list. The iPhone 6s had Apple's A9 chip, and it was...

Top Rated Comments

synergize Avatar
60 months ago
The way Apple organizes the Apps in the App library is not how I want them organized, most of it is illogical.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joniz Avatar
60 months ago
Top iOS 14 Features for iPhone
I wouldn’t include App Library as a Top Feature.


I haven’t upgraded yet, but I am confused about the lingo around the App Library. I don’t understand why there would ever be an “Add to App Library” function. Aren’t all your apps in your App Library automatically just by being on your phone?

I understand “Keep in App Library”. Delete this app from my home screen but don’t delete it from the phone, so it’s still available via the App Library. But you shouldn’t ever have to put an app there, right? It’s automatically there.

Or do I misunderstand?
No one understands the point of App Library.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NickPires Avatar
60 months ago

Still got built in people tracking?

Thanks I'll pass.
I love this take. It’s a feature that is not only turned off BY DEFAULT, but it requires a third party app be voluntarily installed in order for it to be turned on. If you don’t want to be “tracked” I’d suggest you probably throw away your phone, computer, and any credit or debit cards you have.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tominco Avatar
60 months ago

The way Apple organizes the Apps in the App library is not how I want them organized, most of it is illogical.
App Library is utterly pointless. It's only valuable if you are the one who decides where things go. Besides, what does it provides that folders don't.

and I'd like the option to return phone call and FaceTime notifications to full screen. I never really found it a problem.

and with the new widgets, where did my list of favorite numbers go?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mattan_lines Avatar
60 months ago
Is anyone else experiencing serious battery drain with iOS 14? My phone (iPhone 11 Pro Max) drains so fast and gets so hot that it doesn't even charge when it's plugged in. My phone seems to STILL drain battery while plugged in if I'm using it. I'm not on the Developer beta for 14.2 yet, I'm on the GM iOS 14 beta, so this shouldn't be an issue related to the beta.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arn Avatar
60 months ago

I wouldn’t include App Library as a Top Feature.



No one understands the point of App Library.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/app-library-i-hate-it.2254804/
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)