iOS 12 just gave your iPhone new features—here’s how to use them

iOS 12: Seven major improvements brought by the latest version of iPhone operating system

We first learned about the latest version of the iPhone operating system, iOS 12, in June. This week, Apple's new update will begin to be launched to compatible devices, including iPhone 5C and all models released later.

In addition to performance improvements, the software also brings many cool new features. To help you make the most of these extensions, we have reviewed the best features that iOS 12 offers. Here are some ways to try out its new tricks.

1. Manage your screen usage time

Overuse your phone can harm your health – but a new tool called Screen Time is designed to reduce your device addiction. This feature allows you to monitor the time you spend on your phone every day and provide more specific data: you can see which apps are wasting your time especially and track which apps send the most notifications to lure you back to the screen. Once you understand your habits, Screen Time allows you to limit your phone usage.

To view it, go to Settings > Screen usage time. In this entry, you can click on the bar chart at the top to see a detailed breakdown of smartphone (or tablet) usage. If you decide to set limits, click Apply limits. Here you can set an upper limit for the total time you can spend in a single application or in an application group that falls into a single category (e.g. Game). The App Limit setting also allows you to reduce notifications - click Downtime to select a period (usually nighttime) during which nothing can bother with other than the featured apps you allow you.

2. Use AR ruler instead of physical tape measure

The latest version of iOS improves its augmented reality capabilities by updating ARKit, a framework for AR application developers. As they improve, we can expect to see many cool new augmented reality applications. Meanwhile, while you wait, you should try one of Apple's own AR applications: Measurement.

This convenient tool allows you to measure any length in augmented reality. Check your home screen for the app logo (which should automatically appear after updates), and then tap it to start the program. Once done, you will see the screen of your phone’s camera, and you can click on the large plus icon to create a dot in the AR space. For example, if you want to know the length of the sofa, set your dots on both sides of the sofa. The application will then measure the actual distance between these points. Once done, you can take a photo with the round shutter button or click to clear to start over.

3. Manage passwords more easily

With iOS 11, your phone can remember your online password, but iOS 12 takes it to the next level. For example, it finally allows third-party password managers like LastPass and Dashlane to automatically fill in your username and password on the login page.

Since these managers remember long lists of random letters and numbers, you can also stop fiddling to come up with your own password. When setting up a new account, iOS 12 will display the Use strong password button. Click it and your phone will automatically suggest a good option.

To maximize security, you should also avoid reusing passwords in multiple services, and iOS 12 will help you do that too. To double check, go to Settings > Passwords & Accounts > Website and Application Passwords . Here, an exclamation mark appears next to the reused passwords, so you can easily view them. Click these entries to set a new unique password.

4. Create a personalized Memoji avatar

If you have a Face ID-enabled device—such as last year’s iPhone X or this year’s iPhone XS, XS Max or XR—then you can create a cartoon avatar based on your face: Memoji. (Or, if you prefer something furry, you can still use the Animoji animal character released last year.) Both Memoji and Animoji allow you to create short animations where cartoon faces mimic what you said.

To start creating a personalized avatar, open the Information application, click the Animoji button (monkey face), and then click the plus sign icon on the left . Next, step through a series of screens where you can set the characteristics of Memoji, including skin tone, hairstyle, and head shape. When you are ready, click to finish and your phone will save your new avatar in the Animoji pop-up drawer.

5. Set shortcuts for Siri

The new Siri shortcut feature allows you to combine different actions under one voice command. For example, you might tell Siri you're going home and have that voice prompt trigger the AI ​​assistant to send text messages to your spouse, raise the home's smart thermostat temperature, and call out the driving route to your address.

You can combine your own action combinations in the new shortcut application. Click the icon on the home screen and you will have the opportunity to browse the suggested library of Siri shortcuts, edit these existing options, or create your own shortcuts.

6. Taught your notification

Distracting cell phone notifications can quickly become very annoying. Thankfully, iOS 12 makes it easier to manage your daily torrent of alerts. They are now displayed in groups by application, which makes it easier to view them on the lock screen and process them outside the application.

To turn off a large number of notifications at once, click on a group and click X in the upper right corner. To avoid seeing notifications from that particular application again, swipe left to the group and select Manage > Silent Deliver. After changing this setting, these alerts will not appear on the lock screen, will not emit banners or sounds, and will not generate icon badges. However, you can still view them in the Notification Center.

7. Musing your phone automatically

Do not disturb mode is not a new feature, but the latest software upgrade does provide it with some new features. With iOS 12, you can have Do Not Disturb mode start based on events in the calendar or the location of your phone. This is in addition to existing options, the mode can be turned on or manually activated at a specific time.

To find new options, start the Control Center (swipe up from the bottom of the screen, or for iPhone X and higher models, slide down from the upper right corner) and hold Do not Disturbance mode (Crescent Moon) icon. Set this mode so that your phone is muted during certain events or in certain locations. You can also let Do Not Disturb mode end at the end of the event or when you leave the position.

8. Share photos with people in the photo

Along with the latest iOS updates, apps such as photos have also received their own upgrades. This time, you will see a personalized sharing option under the For you tab. With it, the app can automatically scan images in your library, identify people who match your contacts, and recommend that you share your recent photos with them.

iOS 12 also improves search functionality in photos. Go to the new search tab where you can link multiple search terms (such as “Ocean” and “San Francisco”) and use more detailed terms (such as the names of specific businesses and venues you visited). The same photo improvements will also be displayed in macOS Mojave.

9. Read better in Apple Books

Another app that gets some useful updates is iBooks, now called Apple Books. Open it and you will find a more elegant and intuitive interface. The collection of eBooks you have is still in the Library section of the app, but this section looks more concise, so you can switch between titles more easily.

This update also provides a new

Reading tab for Apple Books. When you look at it, you will see all the books you read on any Apple-made device. This makes it easy to continue where you interrupt: You can switch from your phone to your tablet to your computer and vice versa without losing your location in the e-book. This tab will also guide you through more reading materials you may like – categories include movie-based e-books, award-winning e-books, or other e-books that readers like.

FaceTime group call...coming soon

One of the updates announced at the iOS 12 launch was FaceTime: The video calling app will be able to have the same conversations with up to 32 people. The demo also looks great, the size of the thumbnail image will change as different people start and stop talking, and the Memoji overlay will also appear for added fun.

Only one problem: Group FaceTime calls were not ready when iOS 12 was released. Apple said they are still refining some aspects of the feature, which will be available later this fall. Even if you can't use it now, it should be launched by the end of the year. When it appears, you can use it in iOS 12 on your phone and macOS Mojave on your computer.

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