iOS 16 launches September 12

CUPERTINO, Calif.—iOS 16, the next major annual software update for the iPhone, arrives for supported devices on September 12, Apple announced today. The update didn't get a release date during Apple's big keynote, but shortly afterward, the iOS 16 website was updated with release information. The iPhone 8 and newer devices will be supported.

The biggest change in iOS 16 is arguably a total overhaul of the lock screen, which is now much more customizable than it was in iOS 15 and before. Users will be able to add animated wallpapers and custom interactive widgets to several swappable, custom lock screens. Lock screens will also be able to change based on the current Focus mode on the iPhone, building on another recent iOS feature.

Further, the lock screen will get a new feature called Live Activities, which will let you see updates on currently unfolding events like sports games or the news without swiping past the lock screen to interact with apps or widgets.

Apart from the lock screen improvements, most of the major additions in iOS 16 are in individual built-in apps like Messages and Mail. For example, Messages will now allow you to edit or delete a sent text message—but the recipient will still see that a message was edited or deleted, even if they can't see what it was. In Mail, you'll be able to schedule emails to be sent and set follow-up reminders.

For the past few years, iPadOS has launched in close timing with its companion iOS update, but Apple already said before this event that won't be the case this year. Expect iPadOS 16 several weeks later, possibly timed with new iPad hardware in October.