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iOS 8 is now available for the iPhone , iPad , and iPod Touch , bringing new functionality and features to the platform.
Custom keyboards, better sharing between apps, widgets, an improved Camera app, and new Messages features are all included in Apple’s new mobile software. The list doesn’t end there — below you will find the complete guide to becoming an iOS 8 pro. We even uncover some hidden features not discussed by Apple during the iOS 8 announcement in June.
This post will be updated as new content goes live, so be sure to bookmark and check back often.
30 tips every new iOS 8 user should know
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Getting started
Prepping
Get your iOS device ready for the update.
Read: How to prepare your iPhone or iPad for iOS 8
Installing
Everything you need to know about getting iOS 8 on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.
Read: How to install iOS 8
What’s new
Messages
The new Messages app incorporates many features previously only found on chat apps such as Viber and WhatsApp.
Read: Getting to know Messages in iOS 8
Battery diagnostics
Find out exactly what’s hogging your battery life with iOS’s new battery-usage features.
Read: How to identify battery-hogging apps on iOS 8
Custom keyboards
Not satisfied with the default iOS keyboard? Now you can finally do something about it.
Read: How to install custom keyboards on iOS 8
Spotlight
The new spotlight is a lot more robust in iOS 8. Here’s how to use it.
Read: How to use Spotlight search in iOS 8 to find more results
Camera tips
iOS 8 brings a few new features to help you perfect your shots, whether you own a new iPhone or not.
Read: Three camera tips for iOS 8
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iOS 8’s advanced photo-editing tools
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Widgets
Finally, widgets on your iDevice. Here’s what you need to know.
Read: How to use widgets on iOS 8
Hey, Siri!
Siri now responds to your voice hands-free. As long as your device is charging at the time.
Read: What you need to know about ‘Hey, Siri’ in iOS 8
Name that tune
You no longer need to download an app to identify a song you’re unfamiliar with. Just use Siri.
Read: Shazam-powered Siri can now name that tune in iOS 8
Find your iPhone
In a last-ditch effort to get back to you, your iPhone can now send out one final message before it dies.
Read: Find My iPhone has a new trick in iOS 8
Location privacy
A new setting lets you restrict an app’s access to your location. Here’s how it works.
Read: Explaining the new location privacy options in iOS 8
Handoff
The new Handoff features lets you switch between iDevices without losing your work and answer phone calls on your iPad.
Read: A brief explanation of iOS 8’s Handoff feature
Family sharing
With iOS 8 you can share purchases between family members without sharing Apple IDs and passwords.
Read: Getting to know Apple’s new Family Sharing feature
Health
With iOS 8’s new Health app you can monitor your physical activity, enter body measurements, and even create an emergency medical ID.
Read: Getting to know iOS 8’s Health app
Safari
Safari
gets only a few upgrades in iOS 8, but what’s been added is significant.
Read: Three tips for Safari on iOS 8
Mail gets some much-needed upgrades in iOS 8. From new gestures to thread alerts, we cover the most important new features.
Read: Four tips for Mail on iOS 8
Extensions
From widgets to custom keyboards, extensions allow developers to build apps and services with more harmony than before.
Read: Explaining extensions in iOS 8
Now playing:
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Save battery life in iOS 8
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Interactive notifications
Respond to texts without leaving the lock screen or switching apps.
Read: Getting to know interactive notifications in iOS 8
Fonts
Did you have trouble finding the font setting in iOS 7? It’s much easier to find in iOS 8.
Read: An easier way to adjust font size in iOS 8
Voice dictation
iOS 8 allows you to complete your message before hitting the Done button.
Read: Voice dictation is now done in real time on iOS 8
Share sheets
iOS 8 has improved sharing capabilities, but there are a few things you should know to get the most out of them.
Read: How to organize Share Sheets in iOS 8
QuickType
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s new stock keyboard for iOS 8.
Read: Using iOS 8’s QuickType keyboard
Settings to change
Find your photos
The Photos app has changed in iOS 8, but your photos are still there. Find out where right here.
Read: How and where to find your photos in iOS 8
Get rid of lock-screen suggestions
A new feature in iOS 8 makes app suggestions from the lock screen. Here’s how to quickly turn that off.
Read: Disable suggested apps on the lock screen
Clean up App Switcher
App Switcher includes new options in iOS 8, some of which may not be useful to you. Here’s how to clean it up.
