Apple unveiled another software for the iPhone – iOS 16 – during its worldwide developer conference (WWDC) in June, which is expected to be released along with the new iPhones later this year.
The update brings a number of new features, such as more customization on the lock screen, updates, and enhancements for mail and photos, along with much more than you can read about in our standalone feature.
The big question is, will your iPhone be compatible with the new software if it comes?
Which iPhones support iOS 16?
Other iPhone software from Apple will support most of the latest iPhones, but some lack support compared to iOS 15.
The complete list of compatible iPhones is as follows:
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XR
- iPhone X.
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone SE (2022)
You will notice that the iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, and iPhone SE (first generation) are not listed and therefore do not support iOS 16.
Get all the new features?
Unfortunately, not all users get all the features that were announced as part of iOS 16. The main reason is the technology that is on the device, rather than Apple linking what you can do.
Some features running with iOS 16 are only available for iPhones with an A12 Bionic chip and later. These features include the ability to capture an object from the background, live text for video, fast live text actions, and voice and typing touch dictation.
How to track flights using messages
If someone sends you a flight number via messages on your iPhone, or you send someone a flight number, clicking on it will allow you to preview and track the flight.
The only thing you should know is that airlines use the same flight numbers for certain times and routes. This means that a United flight from San Francisco to London may have the same flight number on Wednesday as, for example, the same flight on Thursday. Therefore, you may need to scroll through the pop-up map to see different days and flights.
To track flights via messages:
- Open the Messages app
- Choose the contact or contacts you want to send your flight number to
- The flight number will be underlined when it's been sent
- The receiver – or yourself – can tap on that flight number to see a pop up menu of options
- One of these options will be 'Preview Flight'
- A pop up map with the flight's progress, along with some extra details will appear in Messages
- If you're looking in advance, you might need to swipe across to see different days
- Tap 'Done' in the top right when you're finished viewing the flight
