Photo: DenPhotos (Shutterstock)
iOS 16 is packed with great new features, from the ability to directly copy the subject from images to an all-new customizable lock screen with widgets. But when it comes to new OS releases, perfection doesn’t exist. While the new release is packed with great stuff, it also has a few clunkers in it… so if you’ve recently updated your iPhone to iOS 16, take a moment to consider disabling some of these features.
Remove the conspicuous search icon
We get it, Spotlight is great. But it’s also just a swipe. iOS 16 replaced the dots on the home screen with a search icon, and if you don’t like it (you’re not alone here), Apple has a setting for going back to the old ways. Go to Settings > Home screen and in the Search section, turn off ‘Show on home screen’.
Go back to the old lock screen notifications
Apple fundamentally changed the lock screen with iOS 16, including the notification system, which now appears at the bottom of the screen. It’s a great move, and notifications are easier to reach… but then again, they’re all jumbled into a single stack, and you have to swipe to see everything.
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iOS 16 does have an option to see all notifications as a list, as it worked in iOS 15 and earlier. To switch back, go to Settings > Notifications > Show as and change the default to “List”. After that, all notifications reappear as a list, one after the other, directly below the time.
Prevent side button from randomly ending calls
Pressing the side/power button on your iPhone will immediately end the call. While it’s a great feature for some, it’s far too easy to accidentally press. If you find yourself ending calls randomly by swiping the side button, there’s an option to turn it off: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and enable “Lock to prevent call endings” for peace of mind.
Prevent personal photos from appearing everywhere
Apple leans on the featured photos stuff: Your iPhone shows photos of you, your family, and your pets everywhere on iOS, including in widgets, the “For You” page in Photos, Spotlight search, and even when you create a new lock Screen . While some of us enjoy these constant windows in our lives, others may find it over the top, especially when iOS keeps sharing photos you’d rather not see. You can stop the feature if you want by going to Settings > Photos and unchecking “Show featured content”.
[CNET]