Hubbry Logo
List of built-in iOS appsList of built-in iOS appsMain
Open search
List of built-in iOS apps
Community hub
List of built-in iOS apps
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
List of built-in iOS apps
List of built-in iOS apps
List of built-in iOS apps
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Apple Inc. creates numerous apps for iOS that come pre-installed or are included through system updates. Several of the default apps found on iOS have counterparts on Apple's other operating systems such as macOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS, which are often modified versions of or similar to the iOS application. As each app is integrated into the operating system itself, they often feature greater support for system features than third-party alternatives and are quick to adapt new features of iOS.

Apple has also included versions of iWork, iMovie, and GarageBand for free with new device activations since the release of iOS 7; however, these apps are maintained independently from the operating system, with updates instead released through the App Store.[1] Since iOS 10, most pre-installed apps have been removable by choice.[2] With iOS 14 or later, as well as iPadOS 15 or later, users can hide pre-installed apps in the newly introduced App Library, as well as change their default web browser and email client to a third-party alternative. And with iOS 18.2 or later, Apple expanded the default apps that users can change to include apps such as messaging apps, password managers, and more.[3]

Applications are listed below based on Apple's App Store developer page.

Applications

[edit]

App Store

[edit]
Main article: App Store (Apple)

The App Store is a digital distribution platform which allows users to browse and download apps developed with Apple's iOS Software Development Kit. The App Store opened on July 10, 2008, with the release of IPhone OS 2, launching with 500 applications available. The number of apps peaked at around 2.2 million in 2017, but declined slightly over the next few years as Apple began a process to remove old apps or 32-bit apps that do not function as intended or that don't follow current app guidelines.[4] As of 2020, the store features around 1.8 million apps. On September 19, 2019, Apple Arcade, a gaming subscription service that provides unlimited access to a catalogue of games for a monthly fee, was released through a dedicated tab on the App Store.[5]

Books

[edit]
Main article: Apple Books

Books, formerly iBooks, is an e-book reading and store app released in mid-2010, as part of the iOS 4 update.[6] Initially, iBooks was not pre-loaded onto iOS devices, but users could install it free of charge from the App Store. With the release of iOS 8, it became an integrated app. It primarily receives EPUB content from the Apple Books store, but users can also add their own EPUB and Portable Document Format (PDF) files via data synchronization with iTunes. Additionally, the files can be downloaded to Apple Books through Safari or Apple Mail. It is also capable of displaying e-books that incorporate multimedia.[7] Books has also expanded to allow the purchase and listening of audiobooks through the app. Reading goals can be set which encourage users to read for an amount of time each day.[8]

Calculator

[edit]
Main article: Calculator (Apple)

Calculator is a basic calculator app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] The standard mode includes a number pad, buttons for adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing. The app also contains a scientific calculator, with support for exponents and trigonometric functions. With iOS 18, Apple added support for unit conversions and introduced a Math Notes feature which supports more advanced maths like graphs.[10]

Calendar

[edit]
Main article: Calendar (Apple)

Calendar is a personal calendar app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] It tracks events and appointments added by the user and includes various holidays depending on the location the phone is set to as well as birthdays from contacts.[11] Users are also able to subscribe to other calendars from friends or third parties. Since iOS 5, Calendar supports online cloud backup of calendars using Apple's iCloud service, or synchronization with other calendar services, including Google Calendar and Microsoft Exchange Server. With iOS 18, users can see reminders in the calendar app as well.[12]

Camera

[edit]

Camera is a photo taking app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] Photos can be taken with flash or with filters applied, as well as a timer option which will take a photo after three seconds have passed since hitting the capture button. The ability to record video footage was introduced in iPhone OS 3 and has since been updated so that videos can be filmed in time-lapse or slow motion. On the iPhone 7 Plus and above, photos can be taken in 'portrait mode', which creates a depth effect so that the subject is in focus while the background is blurred.[13] The camera is also capable of creating panoramic images.[14] On iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone SE (2nd generation) with iOS 13 or iPhone XR and iPhone XS or later on iOS 14 or later, the camera app was redesigned with a new font and a new UI for controls.

Clock

[edit]
Main article: Clock (Apple)

Clock is a timekeeping app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] It allows users to view the current time in locations around the world, set alarms and timers, and use their phone as a stopwatch.[6] Alarms and timers will play a chime once completed, which the user can choose from their ringtone library. A bedtime feature was introduced in iOS 10, which acts as a special alarm in which the user sets both a time they would like to go to bed and a time they would like to wake up. A notification is sent to the user before their set bedtime and the phone is automatically placed into Do Not Disturb mode until morning.[15]

Compass

[edit]

Compass is a simple navigation app featuring a compass that was introduced with iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009. It displays the user's direction on a compass rose, as well as their current geographical coordinates, location, and altitude.[16] The app is exclusive to iPhone, but it could be installed onto iPad devices through jailbreaking.[17]

Contacts

[edit]
Main article: Contacts (Apple)

Contacts is an address book app that was first included as part of the Phone app with the launch of the original iPhone in 2007 but was split off into a standalone application with the release of iPhone OS 2. Contacts can be synchronized over iCloud and other online address book services and allows for the storage of names, phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, job titles, birthdays, and social media usernames.

FaceTime

[edit]
Main article: FaceTime

FaceTime is a videotelephony app available on supported iOS devices running iOS 4 and later which allows for video calls between participants using any camera of their device. FaceTime Audio, an audio-only version, is available on any iOS device that supports iOS 7 or newer.[18] In 2018, Apple added group video and audio support to FaceTime which can support up to 32 people alongside the release of iOS 12.[19] With iOS 15, users are able to share and watch music and video content together over FaceTime with SharePlay.[20] With iOS 17, users can leave a video message if someones does not pick up a FaceTime call.[21] Apple has recently introduced a feature that allows Android users to join FaceTime calls via a link shared by someone on an Apple device.

Files

[edit]
Main article: Files (Apple)

Files is a file management app for devices that run iOS 11 and later. Files allows users to browse local files stored within apps, as well as files stored in cloud storage services, including iCloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.[22] With iOS 13, it gained the ability to access external drives, but it was not until iOS 17 that it could rename and erase them.[23] Files allows for the saving, opening and organization of files, including placement into structured folders and sub-folders. Further organization can be done through the use of color-coded or custom-named tags, and a persistent search bar allows for finding files inside folders, though not inside other apps. The app also allows for the compression and decompression of ZIP archives, as well as the exclusive playback of high-quality FLAC audio files and limited support for video.[24]

Before iOS 26, Files would also open PDF and digital image files. This functionality was later moved into the standalone Preview app.[25]

Find My

[edit]
Main article: Find My

Find My is an app and service that enables users to track the locations of iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, AirPods, AirTags and accessories compatible with the Find My network. The app was first released with iOS 13 on September 19, 2019, and combines both the Find My iPhone and Find My Friends apps.[26] Missing devices can be made to play a sound at maximum volume, flagged as lost and locked with a passcode, or remotely erased. Users are also able to share their GPS locations with friends and family who own Apple devices of their own and can set notifications for when a person arrives or leaves a destination.[27] For select iPhone models, users can share their location via a satellite connection when there is no Wi-Fi connection or cell service available.[28] With iOS 14.3, Find My gained the ability to track items with AirTags, as well various third-party items that support the Find My network.

Fitness

[edit]
Main article: Fitness (Apple)

Fitness, formerly Activity, is an exercise tracking companion app available on iPhones running iOS 8.2 or above for users with a connected Apple Watch, or on any device running iOS 16. The app displays a summary view of user's recorded workouts from the Apple Watch or supported third-party apps and exercise equipment.[29] Workouts in the fitness app show relevant metrics, such as heart rate, depending on the type of exercise, and after an 180-day period, the app will show users their exercise trends averaged over the present and past rolling 90-day windows.[30]

On December 14, 2020, Apple Fitness+, a guided workout video streaming service, was made available through the Fitness app.

Freeform

[edit]
Main article: Freeform (Apple)

Freeform is a virtual brainstorming app first made available on December 13, 2022, alongside iOS 16.2.[31] It allows users to create canvases called "boards", which can display a range of inputs including text notes, photos, documents, and web links.[32] There are also a variety of pen and brush tools available on the iOS and iPadOS versions of the software, letting users add sketches or handwriting to their boards similar to the tools available in the Notes app, which are compatible with the Apple Pencil. The app offers real-time collaboration between users, with support for FaceTime and iCloud syncing.[33]

Games

[edit]
Main article: Games (Apple)

Games is a gaming hub and launcher released alongside iOS 26. Players are able to view their library of games through the app and browse available titles from the App Store and Apple Arcade.[34] Through the Game Center service, users can connect with friends to organise online multiplayer games, compete in challenges or high-score leaderboards, and earn achievements for completing certain tasks in supported titles.

It functions similarly to the former standalone Game Center application, which was introduced with iOS 4.1 but later removed in iOS 10 with some functions moving to the Settings app.[35]

Health

[edit]
Main article: Health (Apple)

Health is a health informatics app announced on June 2, 2014, available on iPhones running iOS 8 or later and iPads with iPadOS 17. The app stores and tracks user's health data and clinical medical records and can be connected to various hardware devices and third-party apps.[36] It also offers a profile called "Medical ID" that provides easy access to important medical information for first responders. In 2018, "Health Records" were introduced, which allowed users on iOS 11.3 or later to import their medical records from their doctor or hospital.[37] As of 2020, the types of data stored by the Health app include steps, walking and running distance, flights climbed, heart rate, nutrition, sleep analysis, heart rate variability, cycle tracking, and weight.

Home

[edit]
Main article: Home (Apple)

Home is a smart-home management app released on September 13, 2016, along with iOS 10 that lets users configure, communicate with, and control their HomeKit enabled smart appliances from a single application.[38] It supports automations using a home hub, and pre-programmed "Scenes", which can set multiple devices using a single command. Appliances can be divided into separate rooms and access to home controls can be shared with others. HomePod devices are also updated through the home app.

Image Playground

[edit]
Main article: Apple Intelligence § Image Playground

Image Playground, sometimes referred to as simply Playground, is an AI photo generation app released as part of the rollout of Apple Intelligence.[39] Users can enter phrases or descriptions or select various thematic "bubbles" to create an image in either "Animation" or "Sketch" styles. All images are generated on-device and rough sketches made with Apple Pencil can also be transformed into images.

iTunes Store

[edit]
Main article: iTunes Store

The iTunes Store is a digital media store operated by Apple Inc. that opened on April 28, 2003, as a result of Steve Jobs' push to open a digital marketplace for music. The iTunes Store was first made available on iOS devices with the release of iPhone OS 2, allowing the purchase of music and podcasts. iPhone OS 3 further added the ability to rent and purchase movies and TV shows from the iTunes Store. As of April 2020, iTunes offers 60 million songs, 2.2 million apps, 25,000 TV shows, and 65,000 films. When it opened, it was the only legal digital catalog of music to offer songs from all five major record labels.[40] As of June 2013, the iTunes Store possessed 575 million active user accounts, and served over 315 million mobile devices.

Journal

[edit]
Main article: Journal (Apple)

Journal is a personal journaling app released on December 12, 2023, alongside iOS 17.2.[41] The app encourages users to create diary entries in which they can record and reflect upon their thoughts and activities throughout the day. Users can also include a range of attachments with an entry including photos, video, voice recordings, location tags, and completed workouts. Journal also includes various writing suggestions and starter questions to prompt or inspire users who may find it hard to start writing.[42] Journal can also be locked via Face ID, Touch ID or device passcode to prevent access from other users, and a schedule can also be set which sends a notification out at a set time on chosen days.[43]

Magnifier

[edit]

Magnifier is a digital magnifying glass, available as both an accessibility shortcut and as a standalone application in later versions of iOS. It uses the device's camera to allow users to zoom in on information in front of them, as well as take a freeze frame which can be saved as an image similar to the Camera app. A range of color filters can be applied for easier viewing, and the brightness and contrast of the image can be manually adjusted.[44] With the release of the iPhone 12, the Magnifier app has included the ability to detect people and doors for those with vision impairments through the device's lidar sensors.[45]

Mail

[edit]
Main article: Apple Mail

Mail is an email client introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] It is preconfigured to work with popular email providers, such as Yahoo! Mail, AOL Mail, Gmail, Outlook and iCloud (formerly MobileMe) and supports Exchange.[46] Mail includes the ability to read & compose emails, file emails into folders, search for emails, automatically append signatures to outgoing emails, and automatically unsubscribe from newsletters. Rich text formatting was introduced to Apple Mail with the release of iOS 5. Unlike some email clients, Mail does not have any targeted ads.[47]

Maps

[edit]
Main article: Apple Maps

Maps is a web mapping app and service introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] It provides turn-by-turn directions and estimated times of arrival for automobile, pedestrian, cycling and public transportation navigation. Indoor maps for airports and large shopping malls were introduced to Maps with the release of iOS 11. Apple Maps also features a Flyover mode, a feature that enables a user to explore certain densely populated urban centers and other places of interest in a 3D landscape composed of models of buildings and structures. Look Around, which allows the user to view 360° street-level imagery, was introduced and released alongside iOS 13.[48]

Initially, Maps used data from Google Maps until Apple released their own service on September 19, 2012.[49]

Measure

[edit]
Demonstration of the Measure app on an iPhone 7

Measure is an augmented reality measurement app available on devices running iOS 12 and above. Using Apple's ARKit, it allows users to measure objects by pointing the device's camera at them.[50] It is capable of measuring in both metric and imperial units and moving the camera closer to an object will display a ruler view which divides measurements into centimeters or inches, respectively. The app also allows for an iPhone to be used as a level; a feature previously available in the Compass app.

Messages

[edit]
Main articles: Messages (Apple) and iMessage

Messages is an instant messaging app introduced with iPhone OS 3 on June 17, 2009, that replaced the older Text app.[51] The app supports SMS, MMS, and iMessage with the bubble of messages sent via SMS appearing green, messages sent over iMessage appearing blue and messages sent over a satellite connection appearing grey. iOS 10 introduced a number of upgrades to the iMessage platform, including message effects and a dedicated iMessage App Store which allows users to download sticker packs that can be sent in conversations.[52] iOS 16 introduced the ability to edit or delete messages within a fifteen-minute window after being sent.[53] Messages also allows users with compatible iPhone models to use Emergency SOS via satellite and Roadside Assistance via satellite.[54]

Music

[edit]
Main article: Music (Apple)

Music is a media player first introduced with iOS 5 on October 12, 2011, replacing the iPod app.[55] It can play music files stored locally on devices and allows users to curate their song library into playlists. Songs can be purchased directly from the iTunes Store or streamed through Apple Music if the user has an active subscription. Internet radio stations can also be found within the app, with both local and international broadcasters available. Music supports lossless and spatial audio, and is capable of video playback, used primarily for music videos, artist interviews, and live performances.

News

[edit]
Main articles: Apple News and Newsstand (software)

News is a news aggregator available in the United States for devices running iOS 9 or above. It is the successor to the Newsstand app included in previous versions of iOS. Users can read news articles with it, based on publishers, websites and topics they select, such as technology or politics.[56] On March 25, 2019, Apple News+ was made available within the News app, which is a subscription service allowing access to content from a number magazines and newspapers.[57] On July 15, 2020, Apple announced the addition of audio stories in Apple News+, which allows subscribers to listen to narrated versions of articles in a similar fashion to a podcast under a new Audio tab.[58] A dedicated Sports tab was added to the app in March 2023, providing news stories and score coverage for a user's favourite teams.[59]

Notes

[edit]
Main article: Notes (Apple)

Notes is a notetaking app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] It functions as a service for making text notes and sketches, which can be synchronised between devices using Apple's iCloud service. With the release of iOS 9, advanced text formatting options, several styles of lists, rich web and map link previews, support for more file type attachments, a corresponding dedicated attachment browser, and a system share extension point for saving web links, images, and more were added to the Notes app.[60] Since iOS 11, Notes has included a document scanner feature.

Passwords

[edit]
Main article: Passwords (Apple)

Passwords is a password manager app introduced with iOS 18, allowing users to store and access account information saved to their iCloud Keychain or created via Sign in with Apple. Passwords also supports the use of passkeys and multi-factor authentication security codes and provides users with security recommendations if their passwords are easily guessable or found in a data breach. Accounts can also be added into shared groups to allow access with friends and family.[61]

Phone

[edit]

Phone is an app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] One of the key features of the original iPhone, the app allows users to make and receive phone calls, view their call history, and access their voicemail. The device's address book can also be accessed from within the Phone app, even if the Contacts app is uninstalled. With iOS 18, Phone is also capable of recording and transcribing calls. Recipients are notified when a call is being recorded.[62]

Photos

[edit]
Main article: Photos (Apple)

Photos is a photo management and editing app introduced with initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007 and rebuilt from the ground up with iOS 8. Photos are organized by "moments", which are a combination of time and location metadata attached to the photo.[63] Photos can be synced and backed up through the iCloud Photo Library and shared albums. Photos contains a number of simple editing tools which allow users to crop, rotate, and adjust their photos, with a limited number of editing tools available for videos.

Podcasts

[edit]
Main article: Apple Podcasts

Podcasts is a media player used for playing podcasts available for users running iOS 6 or above, after previously being available through the Music app. Podcasts can be discovered and followed or subscribed to in the 'Browse' and 'Search' tabs, with the 'Listen Now’ tab showing new episodes of followed podcasts as they are made available. Podcast channels allow users to follow or subscribe to creators rather than individual shows.

Preview

[edit]
Main article: Preview (Apple)

Preview is a PDF viewer first introduced in iOS 26, based on the program originally developed for NeXTSTEP and carried over to MacOS.[64] The app is capable of viewing, editing, and annotating a number of documents and digital image files saved to the device or an iCloud Drive.[65] Preview can also create new image files or scan psychical documents using the device's camera, converting them into Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It employs the Quartz graphics layer, and the ImageIO and Core Image frameworks.

Reminders

[edit]
Main article: Reminders (Apple)

Reminders is a task management app first introduced with the release of iOS 5 and rebuilt from the ground up in iOS 13.[66] The app allows users to create their own lists of reminders and set notifications for themselves. New reminders can be placed into lists or set as subtasks[67] and can include several details including: a priority tag,[68] a note about the reminder, and an image or URL attachment. Additionally, alarms can be set for reminders, sending a notification to users at a certain time and date, when a geofence around an area is crossed, or when a message starts being typed to a set contact.[69] If a time-based alert is set, it can repeat every day, week, two weeks, month, or year. Lists can be synced through iCloud and shared with other contacts.

Safari

[edit]
Main article: Safari (web browser)

Safari is a graphical web browser based on the WebKit engine bundled with iOS devices since the original iPhone's introduction in 2007. Websites can be bookmarked, added to a reading list, or saved to the home screen and are synced between devices through iCloud. With iOS 13, Safari was updated with a download manager which allows users to save files from the web onto their phone's local storage.[70] Safari received a significant redesign in iOS 15, including a new landing page and support for browser extensions from the App Store.

Settings

[edit]

Settings is an app available since initial launch of the original iPhone in 2007. Settings allows users to access information about their device and change the settings and options on their phone such as the device wallpaper, notifications, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, display and brightness, Siri and more. A user's Apple ID and iCloud accounts are also managed from within the settings app, as well as third-party account details through the built-in password manager. With the release of iOS 12, a Screen Time feature was introduced which is intended to help user's focus and combat smartphone addiction.[71]

Shortcuts

[edit]
Main article: Shortcuts (Apple)

Shortcuts, formerly Workflow, is a block-based visual scripting app. Workflow was acquired by Apple in 2017 and became a default app with the release of iOS 13.[72] The app allows users to create macros for executing specific tasks on their device. These task sequences can be created by the user and shared online through iCloud. A number of curated shortcuts can also be downloaded from the integrated gallery.

Stocks

[edit]

Stocks is a stock market tracking app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007,[9] and on iPads with iOS 12. It allows users to check the Yahoo! Finance data for any company valued on the stock exchange, including the current value of a company and their increase or decrease percentage. A graph shows the trends of each company over time, with a green graph showing positive growth and a red graph showing a decline. Business News is provided at the bottom of the app, which shows Apple News articles about companies a user is following.

Tips

[edit]

Tips is an app introduced with iOS 8 which provides tips and guides for users to get the most out of their Apple devices. New tips are added alongside each major iOS release to show users what's new on their devices and sorted into categories such as "Essentials" and "Genius Picks".

Translate

[edit]
Main article: Translate (Apple)

Translate is a translation app released on September 16, 2020, alongside iOS 14. It functions as a service for translating text sentences or speech between several languages. All translations are processed through the device's neural engine, and as such can be used offline.[73] iOS 16 introduced camera translation, allowing users to translate text on objects or physical documents in real-time.[74] Translation is currently supported between 18 languages, including English (both British and American dialects), Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, the Brazilian dialect of Portuguese and Russian.

TV

[edit]
Main article: Apple TV app

TV, also known as Apple TV and formerly Videos, is a media player app used for viewing television shows and films purchased or rented through the iTunes Store, which can be accessed from within the app. It also houses original content from the Apple TV+ streaming service, and can even directly stream content from some third-party services through the a la carte video on demand "Apple TV Channels" service.[75][76] The TV app can be used to index and access content from other linked video on demand services, allowing programs watched in other apps to appear in a user's Up Next feed, even if they are not subscribed through the Channels service. The TV app is also capable of broadcasting live sports and events, such as through the MLS Season Pass.[77]

Voice Memos

[edit]

Voice Memos is a voice recording app introduced on iPhones with the release of iPhone OS 3, designed for saving short snippets of audio for later playback. Saved voice memos can be shared as a .m4a file or can be edited, which allows parts of a recording to be replaced, background noise to be removed, or the length of a recording to be trimmed. Other playback options include the ability to change playback speed, skip silent parts of a memo, or enhance a recording.[78] Audio files can also be organised into different folders.

Wallet

[edit]
Main article: Apple Wallet

Wallet, formerly Passbook, is a digital wallet included with iOS 6 and above that allows users to store Wallet-passes, meaning coupons, boarding passes, student ID cards, event tickets, movie tickets, public transportation tickets, retail store cards, and – starting with iOS 8.1 – credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and loyalty cards via Apple Pay.[79][80] Apple has since expanded Wallet even further, introducing support for car keys with supported manufacturers, house keys for smart lock devices, hotel room keys, and driver's licenses in some US states.[81][82] Unlike their physical counterparts, cards stored in Wallet are able to display additional information that updates over time, such as transaction histories or point balances for loyalty cards. Since iOS 16, users can also track progress on deliveries and orders as well as view receipts through Wallet.[83]

Wallet also acts as the main interface for Apple Card, Apple's credit card service.

Watch

[edit]

Watch allows users to set-up and pair their Apple Watch devices to their iPhones, as well as customize settings, watch faces, and loaded apps. The face gallery displays options for available watch faces, giving users the option to change preferences and complications from their phones rather than directly on the watch, with the ability to share custom layouts with others. The Discover tab highlights compatible and recommended apps from the App Store and shows users tips on how to get the most from their device.[84]

Weather

[edit]
Main article: Weather (Apple)

Weather is a weather forecasting app introduced with the initial launch of the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007.[9] The app allows the user to see weather conditions throughout the day, as well as a seven-day forecast. Locations can be added by pressing the list icon and the plus icon which allows the user to type in the city's name, ZIP Code or postal code or airport code. Weather also displays related metrics, such as the time of sunrise and sunset, humidity, chance of rain, visibility distance, and a UV index. The app is also capable of notifying users of any severe weather warnings issued by official sources.

Discontinued

[edit]

Apple TV Remote

[edit]

Apple TV Remote was released to control Apple's TV hardware. On October 20, 2020, Apple recently pulled the "Apple TV Remote" app from the App Store, which was designed to let users control their Apple TVs from their iPhones or iPads with a touch-based remote interface.[85] Apple TVs can still be controlled from an iPhone in the Control Center.[86]

Clips

[edit]

Clips was released to the public on April 6, 2017. The app is designed to make it easy to create short videos that can be easily shared via Messages and social networking apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.[87] On October 10, 2025, the app has been removed from the App Store, and a support document on Apple's site says that the app is no longer being updated and would no longer be available for download for new users.[88]

Game Center

[edit]

Game Center was released to the public on September 8, 2010, with iOS 4.1.[89] On June 13, 2016, the standalone Game Center application was removed from iOS 10 and macOS Sierra, though the service was still available; management of user profiles was moved within the Settings app.[90]

YouTube

[edit]
Main article: YouTube

YouTube was an app that was introduced with the release of the original iPhone in iPhone OS 1 which allowed users to find, search, and watch YouTube videos. The built-in YouTube app was removed with the release of iOS 6 in favor of Google (the owner of YouTube), releasing their own app that is publicly accessible on the App Store.[91]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

List of built-in iOS apps

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Built-in iOS apps are the preinstalled applications that ship standard with Apple's iOS and iPadOS operating systems on iPhone and iPad devices, providing core functionalities essential for daily use. These apps, exclusively developed by Apple, enable seamless integration with the device's hardware, iCloud services, and ecosystem features like Siri and Apple Intelligence, covering areas such as communication, productivity, media management, health monitoring, and navigation. As of iOS 26 and later versions, the suite includes over 50 apps, with updates introduced in each major release to enhance user experience and incorporate new technologies. The list of built-in iOS apps has evolved significantly since the original iPhone launch in 2007, starting with a modest set of utilities like Phone, Mail, Safari, and Calendar, and expanding to include specialized tools such as Health for fitness tracking and Journal for personal reflection. Many of these apps can be deleted by users starting from iOS 10 to free up storage space, though core system apps like Settings, Phone, and Messages remain non-deletable to maintain device functionality and security. Deleted apps can be reinstalled via the App Store without additional cost, ensuring accessibility while allowing customization of the home screen. This encyclopedic list catalogs the current built-in iOS apps as of November 2025, organized by category for clarity, including productivity tools (e.g., Notes, Reminders), media apps (e.g., Photos, Music), and utilities (e.g., Calculator, Compass). Notable additions in recent iOS versions include Games for a gaming hub and Preview for PDF management, reflecting Apple's focus on privacy, accessibility, and AI-driven enhancements. The apps are optimized for performance across compatible devices, from iPhone SE to iPhone 17 series, and support features like widget integration and App Library organization for efficient navigation.

Introduction

Development and Evolution

The built-in apps in iOS originated with the launch of the first iPhone and iPhone OS 1 on June 29, 2007, featuring a core set of non-removable applications essential to the device's functionality, including Phone for voice calls, Mail for email, Safari for web browsing, and Calendar for scheduling. These apps were integrated directly into the operating system, providing seamless access to telephony, communication, and productivity features without the ability to remove or replace them, establishing the foundation for iOS as a closed ecosystem. Additional built-ins like Weather, Stocks, Clock, Calculator, Notes, and Camera rounded out the initial lineup, emphasizing simplicity and hardware-software integration. With iOS 4 in 2010, Apple expanded capabilities for built-in apps by introducing multitasking, allowing apps such as Music to play audio in the background and Clock to maintain timers and alarms without interruption, while preserving battery life through suspended states. This update also brought new built-ins like iBooks for ebook reading and Game Center for social gaming, enhancing entertainment and productivity within the core app suite. The iOS 7 redesign in 2013 marked a visual overhaul with flat aesthetics applied across all built-in apps, alongside the introduction of the free iWork suite—Pages, Numbers, and Keynote—as pre-installed and updatable via the App Store on new devices activated after September 1, 2013. iOS 10 in 2016 enabled users to remove most built-in apps from the home screen—offloading them while retaining data—except for critical ones like Phone, Messages, and Safari, promoting greater customization without disrupting core system functions. iOS 14 in 2020 further evolved app organization with the App Library, which automatically categorizes all apps including built-ins, and home screen widgets that integrate live data from apps like Weather and Calendar, reducing clutter and improving accessibility. In iOS 18 released in September 2024, new built-in apps such as Passwords for credential management and Image Playground for AI-generated visuals were added in iOS 18.2 (December 2024), with Apple Intelligence enhancing existing apps like Messages and Notes through on-device AI features for writing assistance and image creation. iOS 19, released in September 2025, introduced a new software design language called Liquid Glass, applying expressive and delightful visuals across built-in apps, along with further advancements in Apple Intelligence for more conversational interactions and improved privacy features, without adding new built-in apps to the suite. Throughout iOS's evolution, built-in apps have increasingly synchronized across Apple's ecosystem via iCloud, introduced in iOS 5 in 2011, enabling seamless data sharing for apps like Mail, Contacts, Photos, and Reminders between iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS devices. This cross-platform integration has grown to support real-time updates, such as shared calendars and photo libraries, fostering continuity across hardware while maintaining iOS's focus on privacy and security.

Removability and Customization

Prior to iOS 10, all built-in apps were non-removable from the Home Screen to ensure system stability and integrity, as users could only rearrange or hide them within folders but not eliminate their presence on the device. With the release of iOS 10 in 2016, Apple introduced the ability to remove certain non-essential built-in apps, such as Calculator and Compass, from the Home Screen, though full deletion was not yet supported; these apps remained installed in the background and could be restored via the App Store if needed. This change allowed users greater control over their interface without compromising core functionality, and removed apps would automatically reinstall if associated data, like contacts linked to the deleted Contacts app, required access. iOS 14, released in 2020, further enhanced customization through the introduction of the App Library, which automatically organizes apps into categories and enables users to hide entire Home Screen pages containing built-in or third-party apps, effectively decluttering the interface while keeping them accessible via search or the library. Additionally, iOS 14 added widget stacking on the Home Screen, permitting users to layer multiple widgets—including those from built-in apps like Weather or Calendar—for a more dynamic and personalized layout without permanently removing the apps themselves. In iOS 18, launched in September 2024, Apple expanded user options for default app selection, allowing customization of primary apps for web browsing (e.g., switching from Safari to Chrome) and email (e.g., from Mail to Gmail), as well as password managers (e.g., integrating 1Password or Bitwarden as the default autofill source). The iOS 18.2 update in December 2024 built on this by adding support for default apps for messaging (e.g., from Messages to third-party clients) and calls, alongside improving RCS messaging customization in the Messages app with features like high-resolution media sharing and read receipts for cross-platform conversations, and deeper third-party password manager support for seamless autofill across apps and Safari. These settings are managed via the Settings app under Apps > Default Apps, promoting interoperability with third-party services while maintaining built-in app availability. To restore deleted or removed built-in apps, users can navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, where offloaded or deleted apps appear with a redownload option, or search for them directly in the App Store for reinstallation, ensuring quick recovery without data loss for associated services. Despite these advancements, certain core built-in apps remain non-removable to preserve essential device operations; examples include Settings, which manages system configurations, Phone for telephony, and Messages for SMS/iMessage, as deleting them could disrupt fundamental features like emergency calling or notifications.

System and Core Applications

Settings

The Settings app is the central hub for managing and customizing iOS devices, providing users with access to a wide array of configuration options for hardware, software, and security features. Launched with the original iPhone in 2007 as part of iPhone OS 1, it enables adjustments to everything from display preferences to network connections, ensuring personalized device operation while maintaining system integrity. As a non-removable core application, it remains essential for ongoing maintenance and updates across all iOS versions. The app's interface is organized into main panels that cover key areas of device management. These include General, which houses subsections like Accessibility for assistive features and Software Update for installing iOS upgrades; Display & Brightness for screen adjustments; Sounds & Haptics for audio and vibration settings; Focus for do-not-disturb modes; Screen Time for usage monitoring; Notifications for alert customization; Bluetooth for wireless pairing; and Cellular for mobile data options, among others. These panels allow users to fine-tune behaviors such as battery optimization, keyboard layouts, and VPN configurations directly from a single, searchable interface. A prominent section, Privacy & Security, focuses on safeguarding user data by controlling app access to sensitive hardware and information. Users can manage permissions for location services, camera, microphone, photos, and contacts, with options to grant precise location sharing or one-time access. Granular controls were enhanced in iOS 14 (released in 2020), introducing features like temporary permission grants and indicators for active microphone or camera use by apps, promoting transparency and user control over data sharing. With the release of iOS 26 in 2025, Settings received updates to support emerging technologies, including a dedicated Apple Intelligence & Siri panel for opting into AI features like notification summaries and enhanced writing tools, available on compatible devices after a waitlist enrollment. Additionally, a new Camera setting allows toggling Lock Screen swipe to open the Camera, and iOS 26.1 (November 2025) added a tinted option for Liquid Glass theming in apps and notifications. RCS messaging setup was integrated under the Messages subsection, allowing users to enable rich communication services for improved cross-platform texting with Android devices via carrier support. Beyond these, Settings plays a critical role in system-wide theming through options for wallpapers, dark mode, and tinting; passcode and biometric authentication setup for security; and iCloud syncing for seamless data backup and cross-device continuity.

Safari

Safari is Apple's default web browser for iOS devices, introduced with the original iPhone in iPhone OS 1 on January 9, 2007. It is built on the open-source WebKit rendering engine, which Apple developed to support modern web standards and deliver high performance across mobile hardware. Since its debut, Safari has evolved to include core browsing features such as tab management for organizing multiple open pages, the Reading List for saving articles to read later, and Private Browsing mode, which prevents the saving of history, cookies, or other browsing data. A key privacy innovation in Safari came with iOS 11 in 2017, introducing Intelligent Tracking Prevention (ITP), which uses on-device machine learning to detect and block cross-site trackers while allowing legitimate functionality. In iOS 15 (2021), Safari added Tab Groups for categorizing tabs thematically and support for web extensions, enabling users to customize browsing through add-ons available in the App Store. Further enhancements arrived in iOS 18 (2024), including Distraction Control, which allows users to hide intrusive webpage elements like sidebars or ads for a cleaner reading experience, and improved integration with the new Passwords app for seamless autofill of credentials and passkeys. In iOS 26 (2025), Safari received a redesigned interface with a compact floating toolbar detached from the screen edge, along with options to customize tab layouts (Compact, Bottom, or Top) via Settings > Apps > Safari > Tabs, allowing users to revert to a pre-iOS 26 appearance if preferred. Safari supports syncing of open tabs, bookmarks, and Reading List items across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS devices via iCloud when enabled in settings. Starting with iOS 14 in 2020, users can set third-party browsers as defaults, but Safari remains the preinstalled option optimized for Apple's ecosystem.

App Store

The App Store serves as Apple's primary digital distribution platform for third-party iOS applications, enabling users to discover, purchase, and download apps directly on their devices. Launched on July 10, 2008, alongside iPhone OS 2.0, it marked a pivotal shift from the prior method of manually syncing apps through iTunes on a computer, allowing wireless over-the-air installations and fostering the rapid growth of the iOS ecosystem with an initial offering of 500 apps. Core features include browsing apps organized by categories such as Games, Productivity, and Social Networking to facilitate targeted exploration; a robust search function for locating specific titles; and user-generated reviews that provide insights into app quality and performance, with Apple actively moderating content by removing over 1.9 million reviews for spam in 2024 alone. Users can make one-time purchases or engage in in-app purchases for additional content like premium features or consumables, all processed securely without surprise charges. Family Sharing, introduced with iOS 8 on September 17, 2014, extends this functionality by permitting up to six family members to share eligible app purchases and subscriptions via a single Apple ID organizer, promoting household-wide access while maintaining individual privacy. App updates are managed through the App Store interface, where users can enable automatic background downloads or manual checks, with toggles available in Settings under App Store > App Updates to control cellular data usage and timing. Security remains a cornerstone of the platform, enforced through Apple's App Review process, which evaluates every submission for compliance with guidelines on privacy, performance, and content; automated malware scanning to detect threats; and ongoing monitoring to reject or remove violating apps, with over 1.9 million submissions denied in 2024 for safety concerns. All transactions and downloads integrate seamlessly with an Apple ID, which authenticates users, tracks purchase history, and supports features like refunds and shared access, distinguishing the App Store's focus on apps from the iTunes Store's emphasis on media content. In iOS 26, released in 2025, the platform added Accessibility Nutrition Labels to app product pages, providing details on support for features like VoiceOver and captions to aid users in selecting accessible apps, while benefiting from continued Apple Intelligence integrations for enhanced on-device search.

iTunes Store

The iTunes Store app was introduced with iPhone OS 2.0 in July 2008, allowing users to browse and purchase digital media directly on the device, building on the foundation of Apple's desktop iTunes Store launched in April 2003 as a revolutionary online music marketplace. This mobile extension enabled wireless downloads of songs, albums, movies, TV shows, and audiobooks, marking a shift from syncing content via desktop computers to on-device acquisition. Over time, the app has integrated seamlessly with iOS ecosystems, supporting purchases tied to a user's Apple ID for permanent access across devices. Key features of the iTunes Store include browsing media by genre, charts of popular items, or targeted searches, followed by one-tap purchasing or downloading free content, with authentication via Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode for security. Users can redeem App Store & iTunes Gift Cards by entering codes to add funds to their Apple Account balance, which applies to media buys, while Family Sharing allows up to six members to access shared purchases without individual billing, though organizers cover costs and can enable Ask to Buy for approvals. The app also integrates with Apple Music subscriptions, enabling subscribers to preview and purchase non-streaming content like exclusive tracks or higher-quality downloads directly within the interface. With iOS 13 in 2019, the iTunes Store shifted focus to purchasing and management, separating media playback duties to the dedicated Music app to streamline user experience and align with broader platform changes like the macOS split of iTunes into specialized apps. Users manage offline access by downloading purchased items—such as music for the Music app or movies/TV shows for the Apple TV app—ensuring permanent offline availability without revocation by Apple. Purchase history is accessible chronologically via the app's Purchased section or online at reportaproblem.apple.com, detailing items bought with an Apple ID, including billing dates and options to request refunds or resend receipts. In iOS 26, released in 2025, the app continues to support refined recommendation algorithms powered by Apple Intelligence for personalized suggestions based on listening habits and improved 4K content previews for movies and TV shows to aid purchasing decisions. These updates build on the app's core role in digital media acquisition, with brief references to playback handled in the separate Music app for subscribed or owned content.

Communication Applications

Phone

The Phone app, introduced with the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 on January 9, 2007, serves as the primary interface for telephony on iOS devices, enabling users to make and receive cellular and VoIP calls. As an essential built-in application, it cannot be removed or deleted, ensuring core communication functionality remains accessible across all iOS versions. The app features a tabbed interface including the Dialer for manual number entry and keypad-based calling, Recents for viewing call history with options to redial or message, Voicemails for listening to and managing recorded messages with visual transcription, and Favorites for pinning frequent contacts for one-tap access. Advanced call management includes merging multiple calls into a conference, placing participants on hold, and swapping between lines during active sessions. In iOS 18.1 (released in 2024), the Phone app gained support for live call recording and real-time transcription during phone or FaceTime audio calls, with an audible notification played to all participants for privacy compliance. Recordings and transcripts are automatically saved as individual notes in the Notes app, where users can search, share, or edit them; on devices with Apple Intelligence, AI-powered summaries highlight key discussion points. The app integrates seamlessly with the Contacts app to display caller ID, photos, and details for incoming calls, enhancing recognition and context. For seamless connectivity, if a cellular call fails due to poor signal, the app can automatically fall back to FaceTime audio when the recipient is on an Apple device signed into the same Apple ID. In iOS 19 (released September 2025), the Phone app introduced call screening, which automatically answers calls from unknown numbers and provides real-time transcription of the caller's message, allowing users to decide whether to pick up. Additionally, Live Translation enables on-device translation of calls in real-time for supported languages, integrated with AirPods for audio playback. Emergency features in the Phone app include quick dialing of 911 or local emergency numbers from the keypad or lock screen, with automatic location sharing via the Find My network. Introduced in iOS 16 (2022) for iPhone 14 and later models, Emergency SOS via satellite allows texting emergency services when out of cellular or Wi-Fi coverage, using onscreen prompts to guide users in composing messages under clear skies. This feature extends to automatic crash detection and fall detection scenarios, notifying responders with medical ID information if configured. For cross-device continuity, the Phone app supports Handoff and "Calls on Other Devices" through Apple's Continuity framework, allowing users to initiate or receive calls on a nearby iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch signed into the same iCloud account, provided Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled. This enables seamless transitions, such as starting a call on iPhone and continuing audio on a Mac without interruption.

Messages

The Messages app debuted as a built-in SMS application with the original iPhone's launch in iPhone OS 1 on June 29, 2007, enabling users to send and receive standard text messages alongside its other core functions like phone calls and email. In 2011, Apple introduced iMessage as an enhancement to the app with iOS 5, allowing free, internet-based messaging between Apple devices that supported richer content like photos and videos without relying on cellular SMS fees. Key features of Messages include customizable bubble effects that animate message appearances, such as "slam" or "invisible ink," to add expressiveness to conversations. Users can send stickers from integrated packs or create custom ones using Memoji, enhancing media sharing within chats. The app supports group chats for multi-participant discussions, where participants can add or remove members and use shared features like name changes or photos. For iMessage specifically, all communications are protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can access the content. With iOS 18 in 2024, Messages gained support for RCS (Rich Communication Services), improving interoperability with Android devices by enabling higher-quality media sharing, typing indicators, and read receipts in cross-platform SMS conversations, while maintaining green bubbles to distinguish them from blue iMessage ones. Additional updates include the ability to schedule messages for later sending and apply text effects like bold, italics, or animations such as "explode" to individual words or phrases for more dynamic expression. The app integrates with Apple ID via Messages in iCloud, automatically syncing conversations, attachments, and unread status across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices signed into the same account. iOS 18 also introduced satellite messaging for iPhone 14 and later models, allowing users to send iMessages or SMS texts without cellular or Wi-Fi coverage by connecting to Globalstar satellites, with guided prompts to ensure clear sky visibility. Complementing this, the Check In feature—originally added in iOS 17—enables automatic location sharing with selected contacts upon arriving at a destination, notifying them of safe arrival or sharing details like battery level and route if delayed. In iOS 19 (September 2025), Messages added support for creating polls in group chats, with Apple Intelligence suggesting poll options based on conversation context. Users can now set custom backgrounds for individual chats that react to device wallpaper. Additionally, screening for messages from unknown senders filters them into a separate list, with AI summarizing content for quick review. Live Translation automatically translates incoming texts in real-time.

FaceTime

FaceTime is a proprietary video and audio calling application developed by Apple Inc. for its iOS ecosystem, enabling real-time communication between compatible Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Integrated seamlessly with other built-in apps like Phone and Messages, it supports high-quality video calls using the device's front-facing camera and microphone, with calls initiated via phone numbers, email addresses, or Apple IDs. Launched alongside iOS 4 on June 21, 2010, FaceTime debuted exclusively on the iPhone 4 and was initially limited to Wi-Fi connections due to hardware and bandwidth constraints at the time. Over the years, FaceTime has evolved to include advanced group calling capabilities, introduced in iOS 12 (2018) and expanded in iOS 15 (2021) to support up to 32 participants simultaneously, facilitating larger virtual gatherings. The iOS 15 update also added SharePlay, a feature allowing users to share screens, watch videos, or listen to music in sync during calls, enhancing collaborative experiences across supported apps like Apple Music and Apple TV. Additionally, iOS 15 enabled non-Apple users to join FaceTime calls via web browser links, broadening accessibility without requiring an Apple device. Security is a core aspect of FaceTime, with all audio and video contents protected by end-to-end encryption using keys generated solely on the participating devices, ensuring that only the sender and receiver can access the media. The app integrates with Apple's Continuity features, including Handoff, which allows users to initiate a call in the Phone app on an iPhone and seamlessly transfer it to FaceTime on another device like an iPad or Mac without interruption. In iOS 18 (2024), enhancements to spatial audio provide more immersive sound positioning during calls, simulating participants' voices as if they are in the same room, while portrait mode improvements offer better background blurring and lighting adjustments for a more professional video appearance. FaceTime also supports audio-only mode for voice calls when video is unnecessary, conserving battery and data while maintaining call quality. During video calls, users can express reactions via hand gestures—such as thumbs up or hearts—which trigger animated effects visible to all participants, adding an interactive element to conversations. If a FaceTime call cannot connect, it can automatically fall back to a text message in the Messages app. With iOS 19 (September 2025), FaceTime introduced live translated captions, displaying real-time subtitles in the user's preferred language during calls. Responses can also be translated back to the other participant, supporting multilingual conversations. This builds on Live Translation for seamless audio translation with compatible AirPods.

Mail

The Mail app, Apple's built-in email client for iOS, was introduced with the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in January 2007. It supports standard email protocols including IMAP, POP, and Microsoft Exchange, allowing users to manage multiple email accounts from providers like iCloud, Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook within a unified interface. From its inception, Mail has emphasized seamless integration with iOS features, such as push notifications for real-time alerts on new messages from supported accounts like Exchange and iCloud, and offline access by caching downloaded emails for reading and composition without an internet connection. Core organizational features include threaded conversations, which group related messages into expandable threads to simplify following exchanges, a capability available since early iOS versions and refined in iOS 10 for better thread completion and sorting. The VIP inbox, introduced in iOS 6, designates important senders with a star icon, creating a dedicated mailbox for their messages and enabling prioritized notifications. Users can search across inboxes using keywords, filters for senders or dates, and even attachment types, while attachment handling supports adding files from Photos or Files, with markup tools—added in iOS 9—allowing inline annotations, signatures, or drawings on images and PDFs before sending. With iOS 16 in 2022, Mail gained scheduled sending, enabling users to compose messages and set them to send at a future time or date via the Send Later option. iOS 18, released in 2024, introduced the ability to select a default email app for system-wide sharing and links, while iOS 18.2 added automatic categorization of incoming emails into sections like Primary for personal messages, Transactions for receipts and orders, Updates for newsletters, and Promotions for marketing, with options to customize or disable these filters. These enhancements, powered by on-device processing, integrate briefly with the Contacts app to display sender photos and details in emails. In iOS 19 (September 2025), Mail added Priority Messages using Apple Intelligence to highlight urgent emails at the top of the inbox. Smart Reply suggests context-aware response options, and Summarize Message Previews provides AI-generated overviews of long threads or attachments.

Contacts

The Contacts app serves as the primary address book for iOS devices, enabling users to store, organize, and access personal and professional contact information such as names, phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses. Introduced with the original iPhone running iPhone OS 1 in 2007, it initially integrated contact management within the Phone app but evolved into a standalone application to provide dedicated functionality for address book maintenance. Contact data has been synchronizable across devices via iCloud since the release of iOS 5 in 2011, allowing seamless updates and backups without manual intervention on compatible Apple hardware. Key features include customizable fields for adding details like notes, birthdays, and social media profiles, which enhance personalization and quick reference. Users can create groups—or lists in later versions—to categorize contacts for targeted communication, such as family or work colleagues, facilitating efficient management of large address books. Integration with Siri enables voice-activated actions, including quick dialing by saying a contact's name or updating details through natural language commands like "Add Sarah as my sister." Additionally, the app supports robust search functionality, allowing users to locate contacts by name, phone number, or other attributes via the in-app search bar or Spotlight. Duplicate merging, introduced in iOS 16, automatically detects and combines redundant entries to maintain a clean database, with options to review and merge all at once. The Contacts app integrates deeply with other built-in iOS applications, auto-populating details in Phone for calls, Messages for texting, and Mail for emailing without re-entering information. In iOS 16, enhancements like NameDrop via AirDrop simplify contact sharing by allowing users to bring devices close to exchange details in real-time, appearing as a Live Activity on the Lock Screen for ongoing interactions. This integration extends briefly to Mail for linking email addresses during composition, streamlining workflows across communication tools. In iOS 19 (September 2025), Contacts gained improved friend suggestions powered by Apple Intelligence, integrating with apps like Game Center for direct invites and better personalization of contact recommendations based on communication patterns.

Media and Entertainment Applications

Camera

The Camera app serves as the primary interface for capturing photos and videos on iOS devices, leveraging the built-in hardware such as the rear and front-facing cameras. Introduced with the original iPhone in 2007 as part of iPhone OS 1, the app provided basic still photo functionality without video recording or advanced modes at launch. Over time, it has evolved in tandem with hardware improvements, including multi-lens systems and computational photography capabilities, to support a wider array of capture options across iPhone and iPad models. Core features include several capture modes accessible via a swipe interface: Photo for standard still images and Live Photos, which record 1.5 seconds of motion before and after the shot; Portrait for depth-simulated bokeh effects using dual-camera setups; Video for standard recording up to 4K resolution; Slo-mo for high-frame-rate slow-motion clips at 1080p or 240 fps on supported devices; and Time-lapse for condensed videos of extended scenes. Night mode, debuted in iOS 13 in 2019, automatically engages in low-light conditions on compatible iPhones to brighten images and preserve details by extending exposure times up to 30 seconds, with manual adjustments available via an on-screen slider. Users can enable grid overlays in Settings to aid composition following the rule of thirds, along with a level indicator for straightening horizons. For tonal adjustments, older iPhone models (12 and earlier) offer color filters previewed in real-time, while newer devices use Photographic Styles to customize contrast, warmth, and shading before capture. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the app gained support for the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 series devices, allowing tactile access to zoom, exposure, and mode switching via a side-mounted capacitive button with haptic feedback. Macro photography saw enhancements with manual control toggles, enabling users to disable automatic switching and focus on close-up subjects as near as 2 cm using the Ultra Wide lens on iPhone 13 Pro and later models. Quick pre-capture edits, such as swiping up on the viewfinder to adjust exposure or focus lock by tapping the screen, provide immediate refinements without leaving the interface. Captured media integrates seamlessly with the Photos app, saving directly to the library for instant review and organization.

Photos

The Photos app serves as the primary media library for iOS devices, enabling users to organize, edit, and share photos and videos captured via the built-in Camera app or imported from other sources. Introduced with the original iPhone in 2007 as a basic photo management application for browsing synced photo libraries, it initially supported simple viewing, navigation by finger gestures, and assignment of images as wallpaper or email attachments. Over time, the app has evolved to incorporate advanced organization and editing capabilities, with a major redesign in iOS 18 (released in 2024) that consolidates the interface into a single, scrollable view for streamlined access to all content. Core features include the Library tab, which displays all photos and videos chronologically; Collections, which use AI to automatically group content such as people, pets, recent days, and trips based on metadata like location and dates; Albums for manual organization; and a unified Search function that supports natural language queries across the entire library. The AI-powered Collections, enhanced in iOS 18, intelligently curate highlights like trip groupings from travel photos without user intervention, while the For You section (now integrated into Collections) suggests personalized memories and edits. In iOS 18, the single-view design places the Library at the top, followed by pinned Collections and Albums below, allowing users to scroll seamlessly through their media without tab-switching. Editing tools provide non-destructive adjustments, including filters for stylistic effects, crop and rotate for composition, markup for adding text, shapes, and annotations, and the Clean Up feature (introduced in iOS 18) for AI-assisted removal of distracting objects or people from photos. iCloud Photos enables seamless syncing of the library across devices, with options to optimize storage by keeping full-resolution versions in the cloud, and Shared Albums allow collaboration on up to 5,000 photos with up to 100 people, including comments and likes. iOS 18 further enhances search with single-view results that include video moments and introduces video chaptering in Memories, where AI generates structured narratives with chapters from described events in the library. As of iOS 19 (September 2025), the app maintains these core features with minor performance optimizations.

Music

The Music app is Apple's native application for iOS devices, designed to play, organize, and manage personal music libraries as well as content from Apple Music subscriptions. Introduced with the original iPhone OS 1 in June 2007 as the iPod app, it provided core functionality for audio playback and library management from the device's launch. The app was rebranded as Music in iOS 5 (2011) and received significant enhancements with the integration of Apple Music streaming in iOS 8.4 (June 2015), enabling access to over 100 million songs, curated playlists, and radio stations. Key features include the Library tab, which organizes songs, albums, artists, and other media added from personal collections or iTunes Store purchases; Playlists for custom compilations suited to moods or activities; and the Recently Added section, which displays newly acquired or downloaded tracks grouped by time periods such as last week or last month. Users can view time-synced lyrics for supported tracks by tapping the Lyrics button during playback, and manage playback order through the Up Next queue, which allows adding, reordering, or clearing upcoming songs and videos. In iOS 18 (released September 2024), the app supports crossfade options for smoother audio handoffs between tracks. It also supports Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos for immersive, three-dimensional sound on compatible devices and headphones, as well as Lossless playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz audio quality when using wired connections or supported wireless setups. These audio enhancements require an Apple Music subscription and appropriate hardware. Music libraries sync across devices via iCloud Music Library (now known as Sync Library), which uploads personal tracks and matches them to the Apple Music catalog for seamless access on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Windows. To enable syncing, users toggle Sync Library in the Music settings, ensuring additions, deletions, and playlist changes propagate automatically while maintaining offline downloads for purchased or added content. As of iOS 19 (September 2025), no major new features have been added to the app.

TV

The TV app is a built-in iOS application designed for streaming and managing video content from Apple TV+ and various third-party services, serving as a centralized hub for movies, TV shows, and related media. It was launched with iOS 12.3 in May 2019, replacing the previous Videos app to provide a more unified experience for accessing purchased, rented, and subscribed content across devices. This redesign integrated features like Apple TV Channels, allowing users to subscribe to premium video services such as HBO and Showtime directly within the app, alongside support for AirPlay to stream content to compatible TVs and devices. Core functionalities include the Up Next queue, which automatically populates with recently watched or added titles, enabling seamless resumption of viewing sessions and recommendations for subsequent episodes or movies. The app also facilitates purchases and rentals through its integration with the Apple TV Store, formerly tied to the iTunes Store, where users can buy or rent movies and TV seasons that sync across Apple devices via iCloud. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the TV app received enhancements such as improved Siri integration for voice-based searches across content libraries and previews for 4K HDR video playback, optimizing discovery and quality on supported hardware. For family use, the app supports kids profiles through iOS Screen Time settings, where parents can enable content restrictions to limit access to age-appropriate videos, block explicit material, and set viewing limits via passcodes. These profiles ensure personalized libraries without exposing children to mature content in sections like the Store or Up Next.

Podcasts

The Podcasts app is a built-in iOS application designed for discovering, subscribing to, and playing audio podcast episodes, featuring a dedicated interface separate from other media apps. It was introduced as a standalone built-in app with iOS 8 in September 2014, prior to which podcast functionality was integrated into the Music app. The app provides core features including a Library tab for organizing followed shows and downloaded episodes, a Search function to browse millions of podcasts across categories like news, comedy, and education, and Subscriptions to automatically receive new episodes from selected shows. Users can adjust playback speed from 0.5x to 2x and navigate podcast chapters if provided by creators, with enhanced chapter support added in iOS 14.5 in April 2021. With iOS 18 in September 2024, the app introduced personalized recommendations tailored to listening history and favorite categories, accessible via the Home and Library tabs for quicker discovery of relevant shows. It also added offline episode grouping, which organizes downloaded content into dedicated sections for seamless access without an internet connection. Subscriptions and playback progress sync across iOS devices, Macs, and the web via iCloud, ensuring continuity when switching between devices. For social listening, the app supports SharePlay, allowing synchronized playback of episodes during Group FaceTime calls. Since iOS 17.4 in March 2024, the app includes transcript search functionality, enabling users to read full episode transcripts, search for specific words or phrases within them, and tap to jump to corresponding audio segments, improving accessibility for non-audio consumption. Video podcasts are managed separately in the TV app. As of iOS 19 (September 2025), the app includes chapter scrubbing and improved search suggestions.

Books

The Books app, originally launched as iBooks with iOS 5 in 2011, serves as Apple's primary built-in application for managing and reading digital ebooks and audiobooks on iOS devices. It provides users with a centralized library to organize personal collections, access purchased content, and discover new titles through integrated recommendations. In 2018, with the release of iOS 12, Apple rebranded the app as Books to align with its ecosystem naming conventions, introducing a redesigned interface that emphasized ease of navigation and reading enjoyment. Core features include the Library tab for viewing owned and downloaded books, the Reading Now section to track ongoing reads and recent activity, and a Wishlist (also known as Want to Read) for saving desired titles from the store. Users can make annotations by highlighting text, underlining passages, or adding notes, which are searchable and exportable for study or sharing purposes. During reading, tapping and holding a word brings up a contextual menu with a Look Up option to access built-in dictionary definitions, supporting multiple languages and offline use when dictionaries are downloaded. For comfortable viewing, the app offers adjustable themes such as Night mode, which inverts colors for low-light reading, along with options for sepia tones and automatic theme switching based on time of day. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the Books app received enhancements to audiobook playback, including refined speed controls via a draggable dial allowing adjustments from 0.5x to 3x narration speed, with touch-and-hold to reset to default. Series management was improved with better stacking of multi-book series in the library view, enabling users to expand or collapse collections for quicker navigation through ongoing sagas. These updates build on the app's integration with the Apple Books Store, where users can browse, purchase, and download ebooks and audiobooks directly within the interface. Progress and annotations sync across devices via iCloud, ensuring seamless continuity when switching between iPhone, iPad, or Mac, provided iCloud Drive is enabled for Books. Accessibility features are robust, with full VoiceOver screen reader support that narrates book content, navigation elements, and annotations aloud, including descriptions of images and layouts in PDFs. Font adjustments allow dynamic resizing, typeface selection from multiple options, and boldness tweaks to improve readability for users with visual impairments. As of iOS 19 (September 2025), the app remains unchanged in core functionality.

News

The News app is a built-in iOS application designed to curate and deliver personalized news articles from a diverse array of publishers, offering users a centralized platform for staying informed on local, national, and international topics. Introduced alongside iOS 9 on September 16, 2015, the app debuted exclusively in the United States to provide a seamless, visually rich reading experience on iPhone and iPad devices. Over time, Apple expanded its availability globally, adding support for Australia and the United Kingdom in early 2016, followed by Canada in 2019, with ongoing efforts to reach additional markets as of 2025. Core features of the News app include the For You feed, which uses algorithms and user interactions to recommend tailored stories from followed topics and sources; the Following tab, enabling direct subscriptions to specific channels like sports or technology; and the Saved stories functionality, where users can bookmark articles for offline access or later review. In 2019, Apple launched News+, a premium subscription tier priced at $9.99 per month in the US after a one-month free trial, granting access to over 300 magazines and newspapers, including full issues from publishers such as Vogue, The New Yorker, and National Geographic. This service emphasizes premium content curation, with family sharing options for up to six members and integration across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. With the release of iOS 18 in September 2024, the News app introduced enhancements to audio news stories—professionally narrated versions of select articles available only to News+ subscribers—and expanded offline reading capabilities, allowing automatic or manual downloads of top stories, full magazine issues, puzzles, and audio briefings for consumption without an internet connection. These updates build on prior iterations, improving accessibility during travel or in low-connectivity areas while maintaining content freshness through periodic syncs. Apple News maintains partnerships with more than 400 publishers, including The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, and international outlets like Le Monde and Toronto Star, ensuring a broad spectrum of verified journalism. For subscribers, the experience prioritizes privacy with on-device processing to avoid advertiser tracking, though individual articles may include publisher-placed advertisements. The app integrates with Siri for enhanced usability, enabling voice-activated requests for news updates, article playback, and personalized summaries based on user preferences and reading history, with recent Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18 further refining these interactions through contextual awareness and natural language processing. As of iOS 19 (September 2025) and November 2025, the subscription price has increased to $12.99 per month in the US.

Voice Memos

Voice Memos is a built-in application on iOS devices designed for capturing, editing, and managing personal audio recordings, such as notes, lectures, or musical ideas. Introduced with iOS 3 in 2009, the app has evolved from a simple voice recorder into a more robust tool for audio management across Apple ecosystems. It utilizes the device's built-in microphone to record in high-quality formats like AAC or M4A, allowing users to start, pause, and resume sessions seamlessly. Basic editing capabilities include trimming audio clips to remove unwanted sections and resuming recordings from the last point, ensuring flexibility for iterative captures. A significant redesign occurred in iOS 14, released in 2020, which introduced the "Enhance Recording" feature to automatically reduce background noise and improve clarity using computational audio processing. This update also added organizational tools like smart folders for automatic categorization based on criteria such as date or location, and a favorites system to quickly access key recordings. iCloud synchronization was enhanced to keep recordings and edits up to date across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other devices signed into the same Apple ID, with end-to-end encryption for privacy. In iOS 17, released in 2023, title metadata for recordings became automatically encrypted when stored in iCloud, further bolstering user privacy without impacting accessibility. With iOS 18 in 2024, Voice Memos gained advanced AI-powered features, including automatic transcription that converts speech to searchable text in real-time or post-recording, supporting multiple languages and allowing users to swipe through waveforms to view live or retrospective transcripts. The app also introduced layered recording on compatible devices like the iPhone 16 Pro, enabling multi-track editing where users can add secondary audio layers—such as vocals over instrumentals—while previewing and mixing tracks with adjustable sliders for volume and effects. AI enhancements for clarity were refined, building on prior versions to further minimize echoes and ambient noise. Recordings can be shared directly as audio files via AirDrop, Messages, Mail, or third-party apps, or embedded into the Notes app for combined text and audio organization. This integration allows seamless import of Voice Memos into Notes for broader note-taking workflows. As of iOS 19 (September 2025), the app includes minor refinements to transcription accuracy.

Games

The Games app, introduced as a standalone built-in application in iOS 18 in 2024, serves as the central hub for social and discovery features related to gaming on Apple devices, effectively reviving and expanding upon the functionalities of the former Game Center service. It consolidates access to leaderboards, where users can compete for high scores and receive notifications if friends surpass their rankings, as well as achievements that track player progress and highlight completions among contacts. Friend invites enable users to challenge others directly through the app's Friends tab, fostering social interactions for multiplayer sessions or competitions. A key feature is Game Mode, which activates automatically upon launching a compatible game to optimize device performance by minimizing background processes, sustaining high frame rates, and reducing latency for connected accessories like AirPods or controllers. The app integrates seamlessly with the App Store for personalized game recommendations and discovery, allowing users to browse updates, in-app events, and new titles directly from tabs like Home, Search, and Library. Cloud saves are supported via iCloud for eligible games, ensuring progress, high scores, and game states sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices signed into the same Apple ID. Multiplayer matchmaking is facilitated through Game Center integration within the app, enabling real-time connections for cooperative or competitive play. Users can customize their player profiles by editing avatars, nicknames, and privacy settings via the avatar icon, enhancing personal expression in social gaming contexts. Additionally, SharePlay allows co-op gaming sessions during FaceTime calls, where participants can join supported multiplayer games synchronously for shared experiences. This app succeeds the discontinued standalone Game Center, which was phased out in earlier iOS versions but whose core features are now centralized here. As of iOS 19 (September 2025), the app supports enhanced multiplayer notifications.

Productivity Applications

Calendar

The Calendar app is a built-in iOS application designed for managing personal and shared schedules, events, and appointments. Introduced with the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 on June 29, 2007, it enables users to create, edit, and view time-based events while supporting initial syncing with desktop calendars via USB or wireless connections. Syncing capabilities expanded significantly with the addition of CalDAV protocol support in iOS 4, released in 2010, allowing seamless integration with iCloud and third-party CalDAV servers for real-time updates across devices. Core features include customizable Day, Week, Month, and List views, which provide flexible ways to navigate and display events, such as tapping days in Month view for detailed lists or using List view for a chronological overview of upcoming items. Event creation supports adding titles, times, locations, alerts, and attachments, with built-in invitation functionality for iCloud, Exchange, and compatible CalDAV accounts to notify attendees via email. Family Sharing, introduced in iOS 8, extends this by allowing up to six family members to share dedicated calendars for collaborative planning, such as family outings or school schedules. Calendars can be color-coded—choosing from predefined hues like blue for work or green for personal—to visually distinguish categories or shared groups at a glance. The app integrates with the Contacts app to auto-suggest and link invitees by pulling names, emails, or phone numbers directly during event setup, streamlining group coordination. Siri integration permits voice commands for actions like "Schedule a meeting with John tomorrow at 2 PM," which populates events using natural language parsing. Home Screen widgets offer at-a-glance views, such as next-hour events or monthly overviews, customizable in size and position since iOS 14. iOS 18, released in September 2024, enhanced invitation handling with preview notifications that display event details directly in alerts for quicker responses, and introduced typed natural language event creation, where phrases like "Lunch with team next Friday 12 PM" automatically generate structured entries without manual field selection. In iOS 26, released in September 2025, users can add events directly from screenshots; the system extracts date, time, and location from the image and offers an "Add to Calendar" option for quick creation.

Clock

The Clock app, a built-in timekeeping application for iOS devices, was introduced with the original iPhone alongside iPhone OS 1 in 2007, providing essential functions for managing time across various contexts. It offers core tabs including World Clock for displaying current times in multiple locations, Alarm for setting customizable wake-up notifications, Stopwatch for precise timing measurements, and Timer for countdown alerts, enabling users to handle daily scheduling efficiently on iPhone and iPad (starting with iOS 6 in 2012). Key features emphasize user convenience, such as the World Clock's support for adding and viewing multiple time zones simultaneously, allowing quick reference for international coordination without external tools. Alarms include options for sound, haptic feedback via the device's Taptic Engine for silent vibrations, and snooze functionality, ensuring reliable notifications even in quiet environments. The app also provides widgets for Home Screen and Lock Screen access, displaying selected clocks or timers at a glance to streamline time checks. Introduced in iOS 12 in 2018, the Bedtime feature integrated sleep tracking reminders within the Alarm tab, promoting healthier routines by suggesting optimal bedtimes based on user-defined wake-up goals and enabling Do Not Disturb mode during rest periods. By iOS 18 in 2024, Clock enhanced its sleep-related capabilities through deeper integration with the Health app, where users can establish sleep schedules that automatically generate corresponding alarms in Clock, syncing data like duration and quality for more personalized wellness insights. In iOS 26, released in September 2025, alarms support customizable snooze intervals from 1 to 15 minutes, allowing users to set precise preferences like 12 minutes instead of the default 9.

Calculator

The Calculator app is a built-in utility on iOS devices, providing essential arithmetic functions for users since the original iPhone OS 1 release in 2007. Initially offering a simple four-function calculator in portrait orientation, it expanded with the introduction of scientific mode in iPhone OS 2.0 in 2008, accessible by rotating the device to landscape view for advanced operations like trigonometry, logarithms, and constants. This mode includes buttons for functions such as sine, cosine, square root, and exponentiation, supporting both degree and radian measurements. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the app received significant enhancements, including the ability to access scientific mode directly in portrait orientation without needing to rotate the device, making it more convenient for everyday use. A new history feature allows users to view and copy previous calculations, displayed via a sidebar that can be toggled or swiped into view, retaining up to 30 days of computations. Unit conversions were also added, enabling quick transformations for categories like length (e.g., meters to feet), weight (e.g., kilograms to pounds), currency, temperature, and area, integrated seamlessly into both basic and scientific modes by tapping a dedicated conversion toggle. The iOS 18 update introduced Math Notes, a feature that permits users to input and solve complex equations, create graphs, and declare variables for step-by-step computations, with real-time results appearing upon adding an equals sign. On iPad, the app supports Apple Pencil for handwriting equations within Math Notes, though the core functionality remains optimized for iPhone touch input. For accessibility, the Calculator integrates with VoiceOver, Apple's screen reader, which announces button labels, input values, and results aloud, allowing gesture-based navigation for users with visual impairments. In iOS 26, released in September 2025, the app adds a dedicated C/AC clear button alongside the backspace key for easier correction of entries, and introduces an Arabic mode for right-to-left numeral display.

Notes

The Notes app, a built-in application for iOS devices, enables users to create, organize, and collaborate on text-based notes, evolving significantly since its major redesign. It was introduced as a basic feature in early iOS versions, primarily for simple text capture and attachment to Mail, but launched as a full standalone app with enhanced capabilities in iOS 9 in 2015, including formatting options and media insertion. This update transformed Notes from a rudimentary tool into a versatile productivity application, supporting richer content like sketches and checklists. Core features include the ability to organize notes into folders and subfolders, apply tags for categorization, and create interactive checklists for task management. The app also includes a built-in document scanner, accessible via the camera, that provides high-quality scans with automatic edge recognition and perspective correction, allows saving and sharing as PDFs, and supports OCR for searchable text; it is completely free, ad-free, and requires no additional installation. Handwriting support allows users to draw or write directly with the Apple Pencil on compatible iPad models, converting handwriting to text where possible and integrating it seamlessly with typed content. In iOS 18, released in 2024, Notes introduced Math Notes, which automatically converts handwritten or typed mathematical expressions into solved equations and graphs, supporting variables and diagrams for educational and professional use. Additionally, the app now supports direct PDF annotation, enabling users to markup documents with text, shapes, and highlights within notes. Notes integrates with iCloud for seamless synchronization across Apple devices, ensuring notes update in real time on iPhone, iPad, and Mac when enabled in settings. Users can share individual notes or entire folders via iCloud links, allowing real-time collaboration where multiple people can edit simultaneously; collaboration features include @mentions to notify participants by typing @name, viewing activity via the share icon to see changes or highlights, and managing participants via the share icon to add/remove users or stop sharing, with changes tracked in an activity log. For privacy, notes can be locked using biometrics like Face ID or Touch ID, or a custom passcode, requiring authentication to view sensitive content while still allowing iCloud sync. Advanced organization tools include smart folders, which automatically populate based on criteria such as tags, creation dates, or the presence of checklists, providing dynamic views without manual sorting. The app's search functionality extends across all notes and attachments, indexing text within scanned documents, images, and PDFs for quick retrieval. In iOS 18, users can embed audio recordings directly into notes, with automatic transcription of spoken content for easier review and integration with text. iOS 26, released in September 2025, updates the app with a Liquid Glass design featuring a compact, frosted-glass adaptive toolbar for easier access to tools, and adds support for importing and exporting notes in Markdown format.

Reminders

The Reminders app, a built-in task management tool for iOS, was introduced in iOS 5 in 2011 to help users organize tasks with due dates and alerts. At launch, it allowed users to create and group related tasks, set time-based or location-based notifications, and manage to-do lists efficiently across devices via iCloud. This initial version emphasized simple list creation and reminders tied to specific times or arrivals/departures from locations, requiring Location Services to be enabled for the latter. A major redesign arrived with iOS 13 in 2019, rebuilding the app from the ground up to include advanced organization tools like Smart Lists for categorizing tasks automatically—such as "Today" for immediate items and "Scheduled" for dated ones—and support for subtasks to break down complex projects into hierarchical steps. The update introduced an improved toolbar for quicker access, templates for recurring lists like groceries, and enhanced Siri integration for voice-activated task creation and management. The app features a search bar accessible by tapping the magnifying glass icon or pulling down on the main lists view, which scans all lists for matching text in titles, notes, subtasks, tags, locations, and details, including both active and completed items. Users must upgrade their iCloud reminders to access these features, ensuring compatibility across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices running iOS 13 or later, iPadOS, or macOS Catalina. In iOS 18 released in 2024, Reminders gained further enhancements, including natural language parsing for easier input of recurring or dated tasks via typed phrases like "Jog every other morning," and Kanban-style boards for visualizing project progress through customizable columns. These updates build on prior capabilities, allowing subtasks to appear in Smart Lists with maintained order and enabling reordering of sections like Overdue or All-Day in the Today view for personalized workflows. iOS 26, released in September 2025, integrates Apple Intelligence for features like Auto-Categorize, which automatically sorts related reminders into sections, and task suggestions generated from notes or lists; iOS 26.2 adds the ability to set alarms directly for time-specific reminders. Reminders supports seamless iCloud synchronization, automatically updating lists and tasks across all signed-in Apple devices when enabled in Settings > [your name] > iCloud > Reminders. Users can share lists for collaboration, assigning tasks to others with real-time updates via iCloud, provided all participants have updated to compatible versions. Integration with Siri enables hands-free operation, such as setting reminders by voice command—"Hey Siri, remind me to call tomorrow at 3 p.m."—while location-based alerts trigger upon arriving at or leaving designated spots, like home or work. Additionally, Reminders links to Calendar for viewing tasks alongside events in a unified timeline.

Files

The Files app, introduced with iOS 11 in 2017, serves as the primary built-in file management tool on iPhone and iPad, enabling users to organize, access, and interact with documents across local and cloud-based storage locations. It provides a centralized interface for managing files without relying on individual third-party apps, supporting seamless navigation between device storage and remote services. Key features include browsing content in iCloud Drive for synchronized files across Apple devices, the "On My iPhone" section for local storage on the device itself, and integration with third-party cloud providers such as Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, and OneDrive. Users can apply color-coded tags to files and folders for quick organization and search, with options to sort or filter by tags directly in the app. Additionally, the app offers Quick Look previews, allowing users to view file contents—such as documents, images, or videos—without fully opening them in another application. The Files app also integrates with the iOS share sheet, allowing users to save images, PDFs, or videos directly by long-pressing the item or tapping the Share button and selecting Save to Files, enabling offline access without additional apps. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the Files app received enhancements to its contextual menus, expanding Quick Actions for faster file operations like sharing or duplicating directly from long-press interactions, alongside improved multi-select capabilities for bulk actions such as renaming or moving multiple items at once. The app also supports document scanning via the device's camera, where users can capture and save scans as PDFs directly into folders, with automatic edge detection and options for multi-page documents. For archive management, Files natively handles ZIP files, permitting users to compress folders into ZIP archives or decompress existing ones to extract contents into a new folder. In iOS 26, released in September 2025, users can customize folders with colors, symbols, or emojis for better visual organization, with changes syncing via iCloud Drive. The Files app integrates with the Notes app by allowing access to attached files stored in notes through iCloud Drive, facilitating shared management of documents like scanned receipts or images. It further extends compatibility with third-party apps via file provider extensions, enabling direct browsing and editing of external storage within the Files interface while maintaining security through iCloud authentication.

Shortcuts

Shortcuts is a built-in iOS application designed for creating personalized automation workflows by combining actions from various apps and system features. Introduced in iOS 12 in 2018, it serves as the successor to the third-party Workflow app, which Apple acquired in 2017 and integrated directly into the operating system to enhance Siri's capabilities. The app enables users to automate repetitive tasks, such as sending messages, editing photos, or retrieving information, through customizable sequences that streamline daily interactions with iOS devices. At its core, Shortcuts features an extensive action library containing over 300 built-in actions that draw from native iOS apps and third-party extensions, allowing for complex integrations like processing text, managing contacts, or controlling media playback. Shortcuts can be configured to appear in the iOS Share Sheet for processing shared content, such as URLs from Safari, by enabling the "Show in Share Sheet" toggle in the shortcut's details and optionally specifying accepted input types like URLs or Safari Web Pages. Users can incorporate variables to dynamically store, manipulate, and pass data between actions, enabling more sophisticated logic such as conditional branching or data transformation. The Gallery section offers a curated collection of pre-built shortcut templates, providing ready-to-use examples for common scenarios like travel planning or productivity boosts, which users can download, customize, or share directly. Shortcuts integrates seamlessly with Siri, permitting voice-activated execution of workflows by simply stating the shortcut's name, which enhances hands-free usability across iPhone, iPad, and compatible devices. In iOS 18 (2024), the app expanded with Apple Intelligence actions, leveraging on-device and cloud-based models to generate text summaries, creative content, or images based on user prompts, such as creating illustrative visuals from descriptions. For instance, actions can now summarize documents or produce custom graphics without leaving the workflow. Sharing is facilitated through iCloud links or exported files, while iCloud sync ensures shortcuts remain consistent across all signed-in Apple devices, including automatic updates to collections. Additionally, shortcuts can reference files from the Files app to automate document handling or organization tasks. iOS 26, released in September 2025, adds over 25 new actions including deeper Apple Intelligence integrations like "Use Model" for custom queries, Writing Tools, and Image Playground; improves drag-and-drop for variables; and introduces over 100 new icon glyphs for custom shortcuts.

Translate

The Translate app, introduced with iOS 14 in 2020, enables real-time translation of text, voice, and conversations across multiple languages. It provides three primary modes: Text for entering and translating written phrases, Camera for scanning and translating printed text in real time, and Conversation for facilitating two-way spoken exchanges by detecting and rendering speech in the target language. At launch, users could download language packs for offline functionality in 11 languages, including English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Brazilian Portuguese, and Arabic, allowing private, on-device processing without an internet connection. In iOS 18 (2024), the app expanded offline support to 19 languages while all supported languages now enable dictation and offline downloads. This update also introduced system-wide Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, which automatically translates incoming messages in the Messages app, provides real-time captions in FaceTime calls, and delivers spoken translations during Phone calls. Additional features include pronunciation practice, where users can listen to and repeat spoken translations for language learning, and a Favorites tab to save frequently used phrases for quick access. iOS 26, released in September 2025, further expands Live Translation using Apple Intelligence for real-time text, captions, and spoken translations across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone on iPhone 15 Pro and later; it also adds new languages for AirPods Live Translation. The app integrates directly with Messages and Safari, permitting users to select and translate text within those applications without leaving the context; for instance, highlighted text in Safari can be translated on the spot, and it supports brief automation via actions in the Shortcuts app.

Health and Wellness Applications

Health

The Health app is a built-in iOS application designed to centralize and track users' medical data, symptoms, and wellness metrics, providing a secure hub for health information gathered from iPhone, Apple Watch, and compatible devices. Introduced with iOS 8 in 2014, it was announced as a key feature to consolidate fitness and health data from multiple sources into a unified overview, enabling users to monitor their well-being more effectively. Core features include a Summary tab that serves as a dashboard, displaying highlights of recent data such as activity levels, heart rate trends, and sleep patterns through interactive charts and visualizations. Users can log and view metrics like steps, exercise minutes, resting heart rate, and sleep duration, with the app automatically prioritizing the most accurate data sources. Additionally, the Medical ID feature allows users to store emergency contact information, allergies, medications, and other critical details, which can be accessed from the lock screen during emergencies without unlocking the device. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the app received enhancements for mental health logging, including prompted mood entries and state-of-mind tracking integrated with the Mindfulness app on Apple Watch to foster emotional awareness. Cycle tracking was also improved, offering more detailed symptom logging, period predictions, and fertility insights based on data from Apple's Women's Health Study, while maintaining user privacy. In iOS 19, released in September 2025, the Health app was revamped with AI-powered health coaching for personalized recommendations, food tracking capabilities, and enhanced long-term health insights. The app integrates seamlessly with Apple Watch for real-time data collection, such as heart rate and sleep stages, and supports third-party devices and apps via HealthKit, allowing users to import metrics like blood pressure or nutrition from compatible sources. For data management, users can export all health data in XML or CSV formats to share with healthcare providers or back up via iCloud, with options to selectively include or exclude categories. Privacy controls are robust, with all data encrypted on-device and end-to-end in iCloud when two-factor authentication is enabled, ensuring users retain full control over sharing permissions.

Fitness

The Fitness app, introduced in iOS 14 in 2020, serves as the primary interface on iPhone for viewing and managing fitness data synced from Apple Watch, effectively replacing the previous Activity app by consolidating its functions into a unified dashboard. This redesign merged separate tabs for history, trends, workouts, and awards into a single summary view, providing quick access to activity rings that track daily progress in standing, exercise, and active calories. Users can explore detailed workout views, including duration, calories burned, heart rate zones, and route maps for outdoor activities, alongside trend analysis to monitor improvements over time, such as increased weekly mileage or consistency in closing rings. Awards, earned for milestones like perfect weeks or longest runs, add motivational elements displayed prominently in the app. The app integrates seamlessly with the Health app, aggregating metrics like steps, heart rate, and sleep data to inform activity summaries and trends, enabling a holistic view of health without duplicating storage. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the Summary tab became customizable, allowing users to prioritize widgets for rings, recent workouts, trends, or Fitness+ recommendations, enhancing personalization for daily check-ins. In iOS 19, released in September 2025, it gained AI-powered fitness coaching features, including technique improvement tips and personalized workout recommendations based on Apple Watch data. Sharing features enable users to export achievements, such as ring closures or workout badges, via Messages, Mail, or social media, fostering community motivation while maintaining privacy controls for sensitive data. Overall, the Fitness app emphasizes quantifiable tracking to support sustained activity habits, with all data requiring an Apple Watch for full functionality on iPhone.

Journal

The Journal app is a built-in iOS application designed to facilitate personal reflection and gratitude through journaling, allowing users to record everyday moments and special events with text, photos, videos, audio recordings, locations, music, podcasts, and news clippings. Introduced with iOS 17.2 on December 11, 2023, it leverages on-device machine learning to generate personalized journaling suggestions by integrating data from the Photos library, Music app, Location Services, and workout history, without sending information to Apple servers. These suggestions appear as prompts to inspire entries, such as reflecting on recent locations visited or songs listened to, promoting consistent writing habits. Core features include the ability to create rich entries by tapping the "New Entry" button, where users can add multimedia elements directly or via suggestions, and browse past entries with options to bookmark favorites or filter by categories like photos or places. The app also provides scheduled notifications to encourage daily reflection and supports end-to-end encryption for entries stored in iCloud, secured further by optional Face ID, Touch ID, or a device passcode. Privacy is maintained through on-device processing for all suggestions, ensuring no personal data is collected or shared externally. With the release of iOS 18 in September 2024, Journal received enhancements including an insights view to track journaling goals such as reflection streaks, which display consecutive days of entries to motivate consistency. Improved search functionality allows users to sort and find entries by keywords, dates, or media types, while new reflection prompts focus on themes like mindfulness and gratitude. A dedicated widget enables quick entry creation from the Home Screen or Lock Screen, and time spent journaling is logged as mindful minutes in the Health app, with users able to directly record their state of mind for mood tracking. In iOS 19, released in September 2025, the app expanded to iPadOS and macOS, adding support for multiple journals, inline editing of media, and Apple Pencil integration for handwritten entries. These updates build on the app's foundational privacy model, emphasizing on-device computation to protect user reflections.

Location and Navigation Applications

Maps

Apple Maps is the default navigation application developed by Apple for iOS devices, providing mapping, routing, and exploration services. It was launched with iOS 6 in 2012 as an all-new app featuring Apple-designed cartography, replacing the previous Google Maps integration that had been the default since the iPhone's inception. The app introduced core capabilities such as turn-by-turn navigation with spoken directions and the Flyover 3D view, allowing users to experience photorealistic aerial tours of major cities and landmarks by tilting their device. Over time, it has expanded to include Look Around, a street-level imagery feature similar to Google Street View, available in select cities for immersive ground-level exploration. Key navigation features emphasize multimodal travel options, including public transit directions with real-time departure times, connection details, and fare estimates where available. For cycling, the app offers routes prioritizing bike lanes, paths, and low-traffic roads, with elevation previews and busyness indicators to inform safer rides. Driving directions include turn-by-turn guidance with lane suggestions and speed limit alerts. In iOS 18, released in 2024, enhancements include the ability to download offline maps for entire regions, enabling navigation without an internet connection, and improved electric vehicle (EV) routing that factors in battery range, charging station availability, and real-time vehicle data from supported models. The app integrates seamlessly with other iOS features for enhanced usability. Users can request directions via Siri by voice commands, such as asking for routes to specific locations, which launches the app with preloaded guidance. Widgets provide quick access to commute previews, showing estimated travel times and traffic conditions directly on the Home Screen or Lock Screen. It also supports device location sharing, which can be coordinated with the Find My app for tracking purposes.

Compass

The Compass app is a built-in utility in iOS that utilizes the iPhone's magnetometer to provide directional guidance, displaying the device's heading relative to north along with cardinal directions. Introduced with iPhone OS 3 in June 2009 alongside the iPhone 3GS, it marked one of the first integrated compass experiences on a smartphone, leveraging hardware sensors for real-time orientation. The app also shows the user's current GPS coordinates and elevation, which update based on location services, offering a simple interface for basic navigation without requiring cellular data. Key features include a lockable heading mode, activated by tapping the compass dial, which overlays a red indicator to signal deviations from the set direction, aiding in tasks like aligning objects or following a bearing. For precision, the app supports calibration by holding the iPhone flat and aligning on-screen crosshairs; if needed, the system prompts a figure-8 motion to recalibrate the magnetometer against magnetic interference. Users can switch from magnetic north to true north via Settings > Compass > Use True North, adjusting for geographic variation to align with geographic poles rather than Earth's magnetic field. Introduced in iOS 7, the app incorporates a level tool, accessed by swiping left from the main view, which functions as a digital bubble level to measure surface flatness or angles; the screen turns green when perfectly level, useful for hanging pictures or checking alignments. Coordinates displayed in the app can be tapped to open the location directly in the Maps app, facilitating seamless transitions to broader navigation. In iOS 18, this integration supports Apple's new topographic maps and hiking trails in Maps, allowing users to view compass-derived locations in detailed hiking or trail contexts. The app provides haptic feedback on compatible iPhones (starting with iPhone 7) during rotation in the compass view, delivering subtle vibrations to simulate the tactile "clicks" of a physical compass needle, enhancing user intuition for direction changes. While it displays GPS coordinates for manual waypoint use—such as noting positions for later reference—the iPhone version lacks native saving or tracking of multiple waypoints, a capability reserved for the Apple Watch companion app. Accuracy depends on enabling Location Services and avoiding sources of magnetic distortion, like metal objects; Apple notes it is not intended for professional or safety-critical navigation.

Weather

The Weather app is a built-in iOS application developed by Apple that delivers current weather conditions, detailed forecasts, and severe weather notifications to users worldwide. Introduced alongside the original iPhone and iPhone OS 1 in 2007, it has served as a core utility for accessing meteorological data powered by sources like The Weather Channel and Apple's own integrations. Key features include hourly and daily forecasts displaying temperature, precipitation probability, wind speed, and humidity, allowing users to plan activities with precise, location-specific insights. The app provides interactive full-screen maps for precipitation, temperature, air quality, and wind patterns, enabling visualization of weather trends across regions. Notifications alert users to incoming rain, high winds, and other severe conditions, such as floods or storms, to promote safety and preparedness. With the release of iOS 18 in 2024, the app enhanced its 10-day forecast view for longer-term planning and introduced a prominent "feels like" temperature metric, which factors in humidity and wind to better reflect human comfort levels rather than raw air temperature alone. Users can save multiple locations—up to several cities or regions—for simultaneous monitoring, with data syncing across devices via iCloud for seamless access. Additionally, customizable widgets on the Home Screen and Lock Screen offer at-a-glance updates, including current conditions and upcoming hourly summaries, without opening the full app.

Measure

The Measure app is a built-in utility in iOS that employs augmented reality (AR) technology, powered by ARKit, to enable users to measure the dimensions of real-world objects, distances, and heights using the device's camera. Introduced alongside iOS 12 in September 2018, it functions as a virtual tape measure, allowing point-to-point measurements by placing virtual dots on detected edges via the iPhone or iPad screen. Key features include automatic edge detection for rectangular objects, where the app scans and highlights boundaries to provide length, width, and area measurements without manual input. Users can switch between metric (centimeters, square meters) and imperial (inches, square inches) units, copy values to the clipboard, or save annotated photos of measurements to the Photos app for later reference. The app also incorporates a ruler tool on LiDAR-equipped devices, such as iPhone 12 Pro and later models, for finer-grained measurements down to millimeter or fractional-inch increments, alongside a built-in level tool that displays a bubble indicator or angular readout to verify surface flatness. For optimal performance, the Measure app integrates seamlessly with the device's rear camera for live scanning, recommending users maintain steady movement while scanning to generate a reference frame, represented by an onscreen circle or dot. Accuracy is enhanced on LiDAR models through depth mapping, but all measurements remain approximate; Apple advises using ample lighting, avoiding glossy or low-contrast backgrounds, and stepping back several feet for taller subjects like people to improve detection reliability. Calibration occurs automatically by slowly moving the device in a figure-eight pattern if the reference frame fails to appear, ensuring AR alignment with the environment.

Find My

The Find My app, introduced in iOS 13 in September 2019, combines the previous Find My iPhone and Find My Friends functionalities into a single application for locating Apple devices, shared locations with contacts, and attached items. This merger streamlined asset tracking on iPhone, iPad, and other Apple platforms, allowing users to manage all location-based searches from one interface. The app relies on the Find My network, a crowdsourced system leveraging billions of Apple devices worldwide to relay location data securely. The app features three primary tabs: Devices for tracking signed-in Apple hardware like iPhones, iPads, Macs, and AirPods; People for viewing shared locations from friends or family; and Items for monitoring AirTags or compatible third-party trackers attached to belongings. To enable or disable sharing your location globally, go to Settings > [your name] > Find My > Share My Location; this master toggle must be enabled for others to see your location in the app. Users can activate Lost Mode on missing devices, which locks the device with a passcode, displays a custom message with contact information, and suspends Apple Pay while continuing to report location updates. Offline finding is enabled through Bluetooth signals from nearby Apple devices in the Find My network, allowing location detection even when the lost item lacks internet or power, as long as offline finding is toggled on in settings. In iOS 18, released in September 2024, Find My received enhancements to Precision Finding, utilizing Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology for more accurate directional guidance to nearby friends or items on compatible devices like iPhone 15 models. Unwanted tracker alerts were further refined, notifying users via sound, notifications, or compass directions if an unknown AirTag or compatible tracker is detected moving with them, building on prior iOS versions to improve anti-stalking protections. The app integrates with the Maps application for turn-by-turn directions to located items or people, simply by tapping a Directions button on the map view. Find My employs end-to-end encryption for all location data, ensuring that only the device owner or authorized sharers can access reports, with no decryption possible by Apple or intermediaries. Family Sharing integration allows group organizers to automatically share locations among up to six members, enabling mutual device tracking without individual invitations, while maintaining privacy controls for opting out. This setup supports locating family members' devices in real-time, with notifications for arrivals or departures from designated areas.

Finance Applications

Wallet

The Wallet app is a built-in iOS application that serves as a digital wallet for storing and managing payment cards, passes, tickets, and identification credentials on iPhone and Apple Watch. Originally introduced as Passbook with the release of iOS 6 on September 19, 2012, it was designed to consolidate boarding passes, event tickets, coupons, and store cards into a single, location-aware interface. The app was renamed Wallet in iOS 9, launched in September 2015, to better encompass its growing role in digital payments and loyalty programs following the integration of Apple Pay. Key features include support for Apple Pay, allowing users to add credit and debit cards for contactless payments in stores, apps, and online, as well as transit cards from participating agencies for fare payments via NFC. Users can store boarding passes, event tickets, and rewards cards, with automatic updates for gate changes or event details based on location and time. Rewards cards integrate with Apple Pay transactions to earn and redeem points. Express Mode enables quick taps for transit rides without waking or unlocking the device, enhancing convenience for daily commutes. The app tracks orders and purchases made with Apple Pay, displaying real-time updates on deliveries, reservations, and itemized details from confirmation emails, a feature introduced in iOS 16 and enhanced in subsequent versions. With iOS 18, released in September 2024, Wallet expanded to include digital driver's licenses or state IDs from supported U.S. regions, allowing secure presentation for age verification in apps, at TSA checkpoints, or in-person at select venues without sharing physical cards. In iOS 19, released in September 2025, Wallet introduced enhanced boarding passes for supported airlines, providing improved notifications and integration for travel. On November 12, 2025, Apple launched support for Digital IDs based on U.S. passports in the Wallet app, enabling users to store passport information for secure domestic travel verification and other uses at participating locations. Security is a core aspect, with all card data stored in the Secure Element chip and transactions requiring authentication via Face ID, Touch ID, or device passcode to prevent unauthorized use. Apple Pay tokens replace actual card numbers during payments, ensuring no sensitive information is shared with merchants.

Stocks

The Stocks app is a built-in iOS application designed for monitoring stock market performance, allowing users to track individual stocks, indexes, mutual funds, ETFs, and currencies through customizable watchlists. Introduced in iOS 4 in 2010, it enables users to add symbols to watchlists for quick access to real-time price quotes, daily percentage changes, market capitalization, and other key metrics. The app supports grouping of stocks into multiple watchlists, which sync across Apple devices via iCloud for seamless access on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Core features include interactive charts displaying intraday and historical data, such as price movements over day, week, month, or multi-year periods, with options to compare multiple symbols on the same graph. Users can explore ticker details, including performance metrics and related business news feeds curated from reputable publishers, which provide context on market drivers. In iOS 18 (2024), the app received enhancements with more interactive charts for viewing and comparing historical data, alongside dividend details including yield, ex-dividend dates, and payment history for supported stocks where available. The app integrates with widgets for Home Screen and Lock Screen placement, offering at-a-glance views of watchlist summaries, individual stock prices, or market overviews in small, medium, or large formats. Siri support allows voice queries for stock performance, such as current prices or market trends, with responses including charts and news summaries. Additionally, it connects with the Wallet app to view and manage stock holdings linked to Apple Cash or supported financial accounts, facilitating portfolio oversight alongside payment features.

Home and Devices Applications

Home

The Home app is a built-in iOS application designed for managing and controlling smart home devices compatible with Apple's HomeKit framework. It provides a centralized interface for users to add, organize, and interact with accessories such as lights, locks, thermostats, and cameras across their home. Introduced in iOS 10 in September 2016, the app builds on the HomeKit platform originally announced with iOS 8 in 2014, enabling seamless integration of third-party devices while emphasizing security and privacy through end-to-end encryption. Core features include the ability to create scenes, which allow users to control multiple accessories simultaneously—for example, activating "Good Morning" to open blinds, turn on lights, and adjust the thermostat in one action. Automations extend this functionality by triggering scenes based on time, location, or sensor data, such as dimming lights at sunset or locking doors when leaving home. The app displays a comprehensive list of connected accessories, grouped for easy access, and supports live camera feeds from compatible security devices, including multi-view options for monitoring up to four cameras at once. Additionally, Siri integration enables voice control, permitting hands-free commands like "Hey Siri, turn off the living room lights" from iPhone, iPad, or HomePod devices. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the Home app gained enhanced support for the Matter smart home standard, allowing direct pairing of Wi-Fi-based Matter devices without additional hubs and improving interoperability with non-Apple ecosystems. A new guest access feature lets homeowners temporarily share control of specific accessories, such as garage doors or lights, with visitors via invitations in the app, with customizable permissions for security. Adaptive Lighting automatically adjusts connected bulb colors and brightness throughout the day to mimic natural light, promoting better sleep and energy efficiency; users can enable it per accessory or via Siri. For organization, the app supports assigning accessories to rooms (e.g., "Kitchen") and grouping rooms into zones (e.g., "Downstairs"), facilitating targeted control like "Turn off all lights downstairs." With iOS 19, released in September 2025, Apple ended support for the legacy HomeKit architecture, requiring users to upgrade their Home architecture via the app to continue full functionality; this change ensures better performance and security for modern devices but may affect older setups. A November 2025 update to the Home app introduced support for robot vacuum cleaners, allowing control of cleaning schedules and navigation, along with Activity History to track usage patterns of accessories for improved automation insights.

Watch

The Watch app is a built-in iOS application designed as the primary companion for Apple Watch, allowing users to pair, configure, and manage the wearable device from their iPhone. Introduced in 2015 with the launch of the original Apple Watch and watchOS 1, the app integrates seamlessly with iOS 8.2 and later versions to handle initial setup, including syncing content from iPhone apps like Calendar, Contacts, Mail, and Reminders to the watch. This companion functionality ensures that essential data and features are accessible on the wrist, enhancing connectivity and productivity without requiring direct interaction with the iPhone. Core features of the Watch app include the Face Gallery, which provides a curated selection of customizable watch faces organized by categories such as Health & Fitness, Photos, and Data Rich, enabling users to preview, edit complications, and apply designs directly to their Apple Watch. The app also features a dedicated section for the App Store tailored to Apple Watch, where users can discover, download, and update third-party and built-in apps optimized for the device's interface. Notification management is another key aspect, with options to mirror iPhone alerts to the watch, customize alert styles for specific apps like Messages or Mail, and adjust haptic feedback or sounds to suit user preferences. These tools promote a unified experience across devices, reducing the need to check the iPhone frequently. In 2024, with iOS 18 and the corresponding watchOS 11 update, the Watch app expanded support for advanced features, including setup and monitoring for the new Vitals app on Apple Watch, which aggregates overnight metrics such as heart rate, respiratory rate, wrist temperature, blood oxygen levels, and sleep duration for quick health overviews. It also facilitates configuration of double-tap gestures, allowing users to perform actions like scrolling, answering calls, or playing/pausing media using a simple pinch motion on the watch display, with expanded capabilities for accessibility and convenience in watchOS 11. These enhancements build on the app's role in personalization, making interactions more intuitive. With iOS 19 and watchOS 12, released in September 2025, the Watch app incorporates a new Liquid Glass design language for watch faces and interfaces, allowing customization of transparent and expressive elements in the Face Gallery to align with iOS 19's aesthetic. It adds support for sleep score tracking, providing users with a comprehensive sleep quality metric based on duration, stages, and disturbances, configurable directly in the app. Additional AI-powered features, such as Workout Buddy for personalized training suggestions, and gesture enhancements like wrist flick to dismiss notifications, are managed through the app, further integrating Apple Intelligence for proactive health and activity insights. Beyond customization, the Watch app manages critical operational tasks, such as pairing the Apple Watch to an iPhone via the camera-based animation or manual code entry, ensuring secure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections during initial setup and ongoing syncs. It handles software updates by notifying users of available watchOS versions, downloading and installing them over Wi-Fi while the devices are in close proximity, and verifying compatibility to maintain security and performance. For models with cellular capability, the app streamlines plan management, including activating service through compatible carriers, transferring existing iPhone plans, and monitoring usage without needing separate carrier apps. Additionally, the Health section offers previews of activity and wellness data synced from the watch, such as daily summaries of steps or heart rate trends, providing a quick glance before accessing full details elsewhere.

Utilities and Tools Applications

Magnifier

The Magnifier app is a built-in accessibility tool in iOS that transforms the iPhone's camera into a digital magnifying glass, enabling users to enlarge and examine nearby text or objects in real time. Introduced with iOS 10 in 2016, it provides essential support for individuals who are blind or have low vision by offering customizable magnification without the need for external hardware. Core features include adjustable zoom via a slider for magnification levels, the ability to freeze frames for stable viewing of details, and application of filters such as grayscale, inverted colors, or edge detection to enhance contrast and visibility. Users can also modify brightness and contrast levels, activate the flashlight for low-light conditions, and save custom control layouts as activities for quick access. In iOS 14, People Detection was added, leveraging the device's camera and machine learning—particularly on models with LiDAR—to identify nearby individuals, estimate their distance, and alert users through audio cues. With iOS 17, the Point and Speak feature expanded accessibility by allowing users to point at specific text in the camera view, triggering spoken readout via integrated text detection and VoiceOver compatibility. The app emphasizes user control in accessibility settings, where options like auto-brightness adjustment and detection sensitivity can be fine-tuned to suit individual needs.

Tips

The Tips app is a built-in utility on iOS devices designed to help users discover and master features through curated guides and hints. Introduced with iOS 10 in 2016, it provides accessible explanations of device functionalities, evolving alongside software updates to highlight the latest capabilities. The app organizes content into collections categorized by topics such as Photos, Siri, and accessibility, allowing users to browse targeted advice like optimizing photo editing or voice commands. Users receive notifications for new tips, which arrive periodically—often daily during major updates—to encourage exploration of hidden features and best practices. In iOS 18, released in 2024, the Tips app incorporates personalized suggestions via Genius Picks, which adapt based on user habits to recommend relevant guides, alongside interactive demos showcasing Apple Intelligence tools like enhanced Siri interactions and image generation. These elements include step-by-step tutorials with embedded videos and direct links to the Settings app for immediate application of advice, such as configuring privacy options or widget placements. Users can opt out of notifications entirely through the Settings app by navigating to Notifications > Tips and disabling Allow Notifications, ensuring a customized experience without unwanted alerts.

Preview

The Preview app, introduced with iOS 18 in September 2024, serves as a dedicated tool for viewing, editing, and annotating PDFs, images, and other documents on Apple devices. Primarily designed for iPad where it leverages the larger screen for multitasking, the app became available on iPhone starting with this update, enabling seamless document handling across iOS platforms. Key features include thumbnail navigation for PDFs, where users tap the page count indicator to display a sidebar of thumbnails for quick jumping between pages, and swipe-based scrolling for linear progression. Markup tools allow annotations such as drawing with pen, pencil, or marker options, highlighting or striking through text, adding shapes, text boxes, and signatures, as well as cropping images or removing backgrounds. Search functionality within documents enables users to locate specific text in PDFs by tapping the search button and entering queries, with navigation arrows to cycle through results. The app integrates directly with the Files app, offering quick opens via Recents, Shared, or Browse tabs for accessing stored documents without leaving the interface. On iPad, Preview supports Split View multitasking, allowing it to run alongside another app in a divided screen layout for enhanced productivity. Export options include sharing documents via the share button, with capabilities to convert PDFs and images to various file types or sizes directly from the app. Accessibility features leverage iOS system tools, such as pinch-to-zoom for magnifying content and the Accessibility Reader for having text read aloud, ensuring usability for users with visual impairments.

Passwords

The Passwords app is a built-in iOS application introduced with iOS 18 in September 2024, transitioning password management from a subsection within the Settings app to a standalone tool for enhanced accessibility and organization. This dedicated interface centralizes credential handling, allowing users to view, edit, and generate secure login information without navigating broader system settings. At its core, the app functions as a secure vault for storing website and app logins, Wi-Fi network passwords, and one-time verification codes, all accessible in categorized sections for quick retrieval. It includes built-in security diagnostics that alert users to potential risks, such as weak passwords, reused credentials across accounts, or those exposed in data breaches, prompting immediate updates to mitigate vulnerabilities. These features promote proactive account protection by scanning against known threats and recommending stronger alternatives. Integration with iCloud Keychain enables seamless synchronization of passwords and passkeys across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and other Apple devices signed into the same Apple ID, ensuring consistency without manual transfers. Autofill capabilities extend this functionality, automatically populating saved credentials in Safari, third-party browsers, and compatible apps during sign-in processes, while adhering to user privacy controls. For advanced security, the app supports passkey creation—device-bound cryptographic keys that replace traditional passwords for phishing-resistant authentication—and generates verification codes for two-factor authentication (2FA) sites. Family-oriented features allow users to share specific passwords or passkeys securely via Shared Groups within iCloud or directly through AirDrop, facilitating collaborative access for household accounts like streaming services or school portals while maintaining individual privacy. Overall, the Passwords app emphasizes end-to-end encryption for all stored data, aligning with Apple's focus on user-controlled security without requiring third-party managers.

Creative Applications

Freeform

Freeform is a built-in iOS application designed as an infinite canvas for visual brainstorming, sketching, and collaborative idea organization. Introduced on December 13, 2022, alongside iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, it provides a flexible digital whiteboard accessible across iPhone, iPad, and Mac devices via iCloud synchronization. The app supports a wide array of content types, including sticky notes for quick annotations, over 700 customizable shapes for diagramming, freehand drawings using finger or Apple Pencil, and imports of photos, videos, audio clips, PDFs, and web links. Users can lock elements to prevent accidental edits while adding annotations, and the interface allows drag-and-drop placement with inline previews for embedded media. Real-time collaboration is a core feature, enabling up to 100 participants to edit boards simultaneously through shared iCloud links, Messages, or FaceTime integration, with changes syncing instantly across devices. Drawing tools include various brush styles, color options, line thickness adjustments, and Scribble support for converting handwriting to text; Apple Pencil compatibility extends to hover previews for tool selection in supported hardware setups. Boards can be exported as PDFs or screenshots for sharing outside the app. With iOS 18 in 2024, Freeform received enhancements for better usability, including the introduction of Scenes, which allow users to capture, label, and order specific sections of a board for simplified navigation and focused collaboration. Additional updates feature polished connectors for linking shapes with draggable lines and arrows—ideal for flowcharts—and a snap-to-grid option using a dot grid for precise alignment of elements like text boxes within shapes. Scenes can now be individually exported to PDF, building on the app's original export capabilities. Board organization benefits from visual grouping, alignment tools, and foreground/background layering, while search functionality scans across all boards for text in handwriting, sticky notes, text boxes, shapes, and filenames, accessible from the All Boards view or within individual boards. Freeform integrates with Apple Notes by allowing exported PDFs of boards to be attached directly, facilitating hybrid workflows where visual boards complement structured note-taking.

Image Playground

Image Playground is an AI-powered application introduced by Apple as part of the Apple Intelligence suite, enabling users to generate original images from text descriptions, concepts, and elements from their photo library. Launched with iOS 18.2 on December 11, 2024, the app supports the creation of up to seven elements per image, focusing on non-photorealistic outputs in styles such as Animation for a modern, 3D-animated appearance and Illustration for more artistic renders. In iOS 18.4 (April 2025), a Sketch style for simpler line drawings was added. It also integrates with Genmoji for emoji-like generations. A key feature is character consistency, achieved by incorporating people from the user's photo library while allowing customization of appearances, such as hairstyles or eyewear, to maintain recognizable traits across multiple images without using real photos directly in outputs. The app provides prompt suggestions through predefined themes and concepts to simplify creation, alongside manual text input for detailed descriptions, and supports editing via variations, style switches, and added details. Generation occurs on-device using Apple Intelligence models, ensuring user privacy by processing data locally without cloud transmission for core features. Image Playground integrates seamlessly with the Messages app for in-conversation image creation and sharing, and briefly references canvas tools in Freeform for further refinement. Users can export generated images directly to the Photos app, copy them for use elsewhere, or share via standard iOS options, with all creations deletable across synced devices under the same Apple ID.

Discontinued Applications

Game Center

Game Center was Apple's social networking service for mobile gaming, introduced as a built-in app in iOS 4.1 on September 8, 2010, following its announcement during a preview event for iPhone OS 4 on April 8, 2010. The service aimed to enhance multiplayer experiences by allowing users to connect with friends, compete on leaderboards, and track accomplishments across compatible games, initially supporting over 50 titles at launch. It was designed to foster a centralized hub for iOS gamers, integrating directly with the App Store for discovery and requiring an Apple ID for sign-in to manage profiles and invitations. Key features of Game Center included leaderboards for ranking player scores, achievements to reward milestones with progress tracking, multiplayer matchmaking for real-time or turn-based games, and friend lists to build and manage social connections within the ecosystem. These elements were powered by GameKit APIs, enabling developers to embed social gaming functionalities seamlessly into their apps while users accessed them through the dedicated Game Center interface. For example, players could challenge friends to matches or view global rankings, promoting competition and community building without leaving the iOS environment. Game Center reached its peak prominence during iOS 7 through iOS 9, coinciding with a major redesign in 2013 that aligned it with the flat aesthetic of the operating system and introduced deeper integration with the App Store, including a dedicated Games tab for browsing and recommending titles supporting the service. This period saw broader adoption as more games incorporated Game Center features, enhancing user engagement through personalized recommendations and easier access to multiplayer lobbies. The standalone Game Center app was discontinued with the release of iOS 10 on September 13, 2016, as Apple shifted its functionalities to be embedded directly within individual games via GameKit, eliminating the need for a separate application. This move was driven by the redundancy of the app, given that developers increasingly handled social tools like leaderboards and matchmaking natively, alongside reports of declining standalone usage due to inconsistent support and bugs in earlier versions. The backend service persisted for developer integration, but the app's removal streamlined the iOS homescreen. Some elements, such as profile management and challenges, have since been revived in the Apple Games app introduced in June 2025.

YouTube

The YouTube app was pre-installed on iOS devices starting with the original iPhone's launch in 2007, serving as one of the first native applications to demonstrate mobile video streaming capabilities. Developed by Apple according to specifications provided by YouTube, the app enabled users to search for, play, and subscribe to video content, leveraging hardware-optimized video decoding for smooth playback on early iPhone models. It supported HTML5-based MP4 video formats but did not include advertising integration, which restricted access to certain copyrighted material like major-label music videos. The app remained a built-in component through iOS 5, but Apple removed it with the release of iOS 6 in September 2012, as the licensing agreement with Google expired without renewal. This decision stemmed from Google's desire to regain full control over the app's development and features, amid escalating tensions between the companies, including patent disputes and competition from Android. Concurrently, iOS 6 enhanced Safari's HTML5 video support, including full-screen landscape playback and improved Web Audio API integration, allowing users to access YouTube directly in the browser without the dedicated app. Apple directed users to the mobile web version or the newly released official YouTube app from the App Store for continued native functionality. The removal shifted video handling to Safari, which benefited from broader HTML5 compatibility and reduced dependency on a single app, but it also meant the loss of the built-in app's tight hardware optimizations, potentially impacting battery efficiency and performance for some users during the transition period.

Clips

Clips was a free mobile application developed by Apple Inc. for creating and sharing short-form videos on iOS and iPadOS devices. Released on April 6, 2017, it required iOS 10.3 or later and was available via the App Store. The app enabled users to record videos directly with the device camera or import media from the Photos library, supporting both live audio capture and pre-recorded clips. Key features included Live Titles, which automatically generated animated text captions from spoken words; a library of stickers, emojis, labels, and posters for personalization; and creative effects such as comic book, vintage, and black-and-white filters. Users could layer speech bubbles, shapes, and full-screen animations to enhance videos, with options for Memoji and Animoji integration in later updates. Sharing was streamlined through iCloud, Messages, Mail, FaceTime, or third-party platforms like Instagram and YouTube. Apple discontinued Clips on October 10, 2025, removing it from the App Store and ceasing further updates, though existing installations remain functional on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 or earlier versions. The company recommended migrating projects to alternatives like the built-in Photos app for basic editing, iMovie for advanced video creation, or third-party options such as InShot and VN Video Editor. Videos created in Clips can be exported to Photos or Files to preserve effects and individual clips. As a lightweight tool, Clips promoted accessible video storytelling without requiring professional skills, influencing educational and casual content creation during its eight-year run.

Apple TV Remote

The Apple TV Remote was a built-in iOS application that allowed users to control Apple TV devices and compatible smart TVs directly from an iPhone or iPad over a local Wi-Fi network. Originally launched as the iTunes Remote app on July 10, 2008, alongside the debut of the App Store, it provided wireless control for iTunes libraries on computers and early Apple TV models using Bonjour networking technology. By iOS 5 in 2011, the app had evolved to emphasize AirPlay functionality, enabling seamless streaming and navigation for media playback on Apple TV second-generation and later devices. Key features included an on-screen directional pad for menu navigation, a virtual touchpad supporting swipe gestures for scrolling through content libraries, and dedicated buttons for play/pause, fast-forward, rewind, and volume adjustment. The app also supported text input via the iOS keyboard for searching apps, movies, or shows on Apple TV, as well as AirPlay mirroring from the iOS device to the TV. Unlike physical remotes, it did not incorporate an infrared (IR) blaster, relying instead on network-based communication, though it could control volume and power for AirPlay-compatible smart TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony without additional hardware. This design made it particularly useful for users who misplaced their physical Siri Remote or preferred touchscreen interaction. Apple discontinued the standalone Apple TV Remote app in October 2020 by removing it from the App Store, as its core functionality had been integrated into the iOS Control Center starting with iOS 12 in 2018. This shift allowed quicker access to the remote interface without launching a separate app, reducing redundancy and aligning with Apple's ecosystem of built-in tools. The decision was driven by overlapping capabilities in the Home app, which handles HomeKit-enabled devices including some smart TVs, and the increasing prevalence of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi controls in newer Apple TV models that diminished the need for a dedicated app. Existing installations of the app ceased to receive updates and became incompatible with later iOS versions, such as iOS 15 and beyond. As a legacy tool, the Apple TV Remote app pioneered the use of iOS devices as versatile media controllers, extending iPhone functionality to act as a network-based remote for both Apple TV and select non-Apple AirPlay-compatible devices, thereby reducing reliance on physical hardware in home entertainment setups. Its influence is evident in modern features like the Control Center remote and third-party apps that emulate similar controls.

References

  1. https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/bundle-ids-for-iphone-and-ipad-apple-apps-depece748c41/web
  2. https://www.apple.com/apps/
  3. https://support.apple.com/en-us/101550
  4. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/remove-or-delete-apps-iph248b543ca/ios
  5. https://www.apple.com/apple-intelligence/
  6. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/find-and-use-your-apps-in-app-library-iph87abad19a/ios
  7. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2007/01/09Apple-Reinvents-the-Phone-with-iPhone/
  8. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2010/04/08Apple-Previews-iPhone-OS-4/
  9. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2013/06/10Apple-Unveils-iOS-7/
  10. https://9to5mac.com/2013/09/10/apple-makes-iwork-apps-iphoto-and-imovie-free-with-all-new-ios-devices/
  11. https://9to5mac.com/2016/06/16/hide-apps-ios-not-delete-apps-ios/
  12. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2020/06/apple-reimagines-the-iphone-experience-with-ios-14/
  13. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/ios-18-makes-iphone-more-personal-capable-and-intelligent-than-ever/
  14. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/ipados-18-introduces-powerful-intelligence-features-and-apps-for-apple-pencil/
  15. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/apple-introduces-a-delightful-and-elegant-new-software-design/
  16. https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/overview-of-apps-and-features-that-use-icloud-mm203ae070a2/icloud
  17. https://support.apple.com/en-gb/100567
  18. https://support.apple.com/en-au/101264
  19. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108324
  20. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/move-apps-and-widgets-on-the-home-screen-iphd2fc8ce30/ios
  21. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/change-the-default-apps-iphc57feab64/ios
  22. https://support.apple.com/en-us/121430
  23. https://support.apple.com/en-us/121161
  24. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/import-passwords-iph984b8ac1f/ios
  25. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/manage-storage-on-iphone-iph47c931112/ios
  26. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118582
  27. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/find-settings-iph079e1fe9d/ios
  28. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/control-access-to-hardware-features-iph168c4bbd5/ios
  29. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/intro-to-apple-intelligence-iphc28624b81/ios
  30. https://www.infobip.com/blog/apple-rcs
  31. https://support.apple.com/en-us/123075
  32. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/safari-release-notes
  33. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/browse-the-web-privately-iphb01fc3c85/ios
  34. https://www.apple.com/safari/docs/Safari_White_Paper_Nov_2019.pdf
  35. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/organize-your-tabs-with-tab-groups-iph3028ebf68/ios
  36. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-extensions-iphab0432bf6/ios
  37. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/hide-distractions-when-browsing-iph7778f2888/ios
  38. https://support.apple.com/en-us/120758
  39. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-26-safari-features/
  40. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108409
  41. https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/09/17/how-to-change-the-default-browser-in-ios-14
  42. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/07/app-store-turns-10/
  43. https://developer.apple.com/app-store/categories/
  44. https://www.apple.com/app-store/
  45. https://developer.apple.com/in-app-purchase/
  46. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/09/09Apple-Announces-iOS-8-Available-September-17/
  47. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/update-apps-iph98709f167/ios
  48. https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/
  49. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/see-your-purchases-and-subscriptions-iph4e3e7324f/ios
  50. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2003/04/28Apple-Launches-the-iTunes-Music-Store/
  51. https://www.macworld.com/article/191442/iphone2_official.html
  52. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-music-iph3df0adef/ios
  53. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118401
  54. https://www.cnet.com/culture/entertainment/rip-itunes-this-is-what-happens-to-your-apple-music-now/
  55. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/manage-purchases-and-settings-ipha48b73f47/ios
  56. https://www.reddit.com/r/AppleMusic/comments/1evavw8/did_the_algorithm_get_better_with_ios_18_or_is_it/
  57. https://support.apple.com/en-us/121583
  58. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105088
  59. https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-19/features/
  60. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211850
  61. https://support.apple.com/en-us/101573
  62. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/01/09/original-iphone-missing-features/
  63. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2011/06/06New-Version-of-iOS-Includes-Notification-Center-iMessage-Newsstand-Twitter-Integration-Among-200-New-Features/
  64. https://support.apple.com/en-us/104970
  65. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/send-stickers-iph37b0bfe7b/ios
  66. https://support.apple.com/en-us/104972
  67. https://support.apple.com/en-us/122195
  68. https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/what-you-can-do-with-icloud-and-messages-mma17ed475f7/icloud
  69. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/text-via-satellite-iphb9262f4dd/ios
  70. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/ios-17-makes-iphone-more-personal-and-intuitive/
  71. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2010/06/07Apple-Presents-iPhone-4/
  72. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/make-a-group-facetime-call-iph405ab67de/ios
  73. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/06/ios-15-brings-powerful-new-features-to-stay-connected-focus-explore-and-more/
  74. https://support.apple.com/guide/security/facetime-security-seca331c55cd/web
  75. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/hand-a-facetime-call-apple-device-iph74e013a95/ios
  76. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/change-the-facetime-audio-settings-iphb54d5dee2/ios
  77. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-video-conferencing-features-iphaa0b5671d/ios
  78. https://support.apple.com/guide/deployment/mail-declarative-configuration-dep2dae6c8eb/web
  79. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-email-notifications-iphc13a970c8/ios
  80. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102562
  81. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/check-your-email-iph461684497/ios
  82. https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/64780/can-i-remove-or-hide-the-vip-folder-in-mail-on-ios-6
  83. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/annotate-email-attachments-iph845853585/ios
  84. https://9to5mac.com/2022/09/29/send-later-with-mail-iphone/
  85. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-categories-iphfe4a36baf/ios
  86. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-mail-contacts-and-calendar-accounts-ipha0d932e96/ios
  87. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/add-and-use-contact-information-iph3e0ca2db/ios
  88. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/06/apple-unveils-new-ways-to-share-and-communicate-in-ios-16/
  89. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/using-the-2007-iphone-in-2017/
  90. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/camera-basics-iph263472f78/ios
  91. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/take-night-mode-photos-iph1a3c5b4c3/ios
  92. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-your-shot-iph3dc593597/ios
  93. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/take-macro-photos-and-videos-iphfaacf2eb0/ios
  94. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/take-great-photos-and-videos-iph9bbc8619e/ios
  95. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-photos-iphc259d0ac7/ios
  96. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-apple-intelligence-in-photos-iphf7de217f0/ios
  97. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/edit-photos-and-videos-iphb08064d57/ios
  98. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/crop-rotate-flip-straighten-photos-videos-iph0f3ebb1dd/ios
  99. https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/set-up-shared-albums-mma821a5bd93/icloud
  100. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/intro-to-playlists-iph06a7aabc6/ios
  101. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105076
  102. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/queue-up-your-music-ipha4521ef7d/ios
  103. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2021/05/apple-music-announces-spatial-audio-and-lossless-audio/
  104. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/play-spatial-audio-iphac459a29e/ios
  105. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118285
  106. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/add-music-and-listen-offline-iph0cff2d191/ios
  107. https://www.apple.com/apple-tv-app/
  108. https://9to5mac.com/2019/05/13/ios-12-3-features-tvos-13-more/
  109. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118387
  110. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipod-touch/get-shows-movies-and-more-iphf26c3d676/ios
  111. https://support.apple.com/guide/tv/buy-or-rent-movies-and-tv-shows-atvb0d26676e/tvos
  112. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/apple-tv/id1174078549
  113. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/106336
  114. https://www.macrumors.com/2014/06/17/ios-8-beta-2-tidbits/
  115. https://appleinsider.com/articles/15/02/25/thanks-to-serial-apples-podcasts-app-baked-into-ios-8-podcast-listens-grow-18
  116. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/listen-to-podcasts-iph3a22707a5/ios
  117. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/find-podcasts-iph19bb8e705/ios
  118. https://www.sonics.io/blog/apple-podcasts-ios-145
  119. https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/ios-14-5-updated-apple-podcasts-with-16-features-changes-youll-definitely-use-your-iphone-0384574/
  120. https://podcasters.apple.com/support/5490-news-categories-ios18
  121. https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/22/a-guide-to-ios-18s-hidden-features-and-smaller-updates/
  122. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/shareplay-watch-listen-play-iphb657eb791/ios
  123. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/03/apple-introduces-transcripts-for-apple-podcasts/
  124. https://www.ibtimes.com/ios-5-ibooks-201-released-download-link-405798
  125. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/apple-books-all-new-for-iphone-and-ipad-celebrates-reading/
  126. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/read-books-iphc1af7c57/ios
  127. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/annotate-books-iph17bf340c1/ios
  128. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/listen-to-audiobooks-iphac1971248/ios
  129. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/organize-books-iphab219b91/ios
  130. https://www.apple.com/apple-books/
  131. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/access-books-on-other-apple-devices-iphb886e1752/ios
  132. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-voiceover-in-apps-iphe4ee74be8/ios
  133. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2015/06/08Apple-Announces-News-App-for-iPhone-iPad/
  134. https://www.ft.com/content/48685786-f0fc-43dd-8bd4-c62011af8af1
  135. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/see-news-stories-chosen-just-for-you-iph5b557ed3d/ios
  136. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/save-stories-iphd1b6c7270/ios
  137. https://www.apple.com/apple-news/
  138. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/offline-mode-read-downloaded-news-content-iph0c38a4b93/ios
  139. https://www.apple.com/apple-news/publications/
  140. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-news-iph0a16d1e29/ios
  141. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/voice-memos/id1069512134
  142. https://ignitedlabs.education.asu.edu/software-resource/apple-voice-memos/
  143. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/make-a-recording-iph4d2a39a3b/ios
  144. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118390
  145. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/keep-recordings-up-to-date-iph38b91c7af/ios
  146. https://www.imore.com/ios/ios-17/ios-17-and-macos-sonoma-make-voice-memos-notes-more-private-than-ever
  147. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/view-a-transcription-iph00953a982/ios
  148. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/12/voice-memos-update-brings-layered-recording-to-iphone-16-pro-lineup/
  149. https://vomo.ai/blog/how-to-use-voice-memo-on-iphone-tips-ios-18-features-and-smarter-audio-management
  150. https://developer.apple.com/games-app/
  151. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/gamekit/encourage-progress-and-competition-with-leaderboards
  152. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/gamekit/rewarding-players-with-achievements
  153. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/play-with-friends-in-the-apple-games-app-iph9ce5a2dee/ios
  154. https://support.apple.com/en-us/101643
  155. https://developer.apple.com/game-center/
  156. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105022
  157. https://developer.apple.com/documentation/devicemanagement/caldav
  158. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/change-how-you-view-events-iphfd1054569/ios
  159. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/send-invitations-iph82c5721ca/ios
  160. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-multiple-calendars-iph3d1110d4/ios
  161. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/create-and-edit-events-in-calendar-iph3d110f84/ios
  162. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/18/ios-18-whats-new-in-the-calendar-app/
  163. https://www.fastcompany.com/91396318/ios-26-iphone-apple-productivity-hacks-live-translation-call-screening-hold-calendar-events-custom-folder
  164. https://forums.appleinsider.com/discussion/150623/first-look-apples-clock-app-comes-to-ipad-with-ios-6
  165. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/see-the-world-clock-iph1ac0b4af/ios
  166. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118444
  167. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/add-edit-and-remove-widgets-iphb8f1bf206/ios
  168. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/ios-12-introduces-new-features-to-reduce-interruptions-and-manage-screen-time/
  169. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-a-sleep-schedule-iphaf56dceb4/ios
  170. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/whats-new-in-ios-26-iphfed2c4091/ios
  171. https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/Calculator
  172. https://www.engadget.com/2008-06-09-iphone-calculator-gets-scientific-in-2-0.html
  173. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-the-scientific-calculator-iphb977c4c0e/ios
  174. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-calculator-app/
  175. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/see-previous-calculations-iph14c31d991/ios
  176. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/convert-units-or-currency-ipadc8aa1771/ipados
  177. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/solve-math-with-math-notes-iph46efa613a/ios
  178. https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/ios-use-math-notes-calculator-app/
  179. https://9to5mac.com/2025/08/12/ios-26-iphone-calculator-clear-button/
  180. https://lifehacker.com/tech/all-the-best-ios-26-hidden-features
  181. https://support.apple.com/en-us/118442
  182. https://support.apple.com/en-us/103834
  183. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/notes/id1110145109
  184. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108963
  185. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/enter-formulas-and-equations-iphb9c2b948f/ios
  186. https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/set-up-notes-mm8685520792/icloud
  187. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-and-collaborate-iphe4d04f674/ios
  188. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102537
  189. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-smart-folders-iphc43adabc2/ios
  190. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/record-and-transcribe-audio-iphbe11247b5/ios
  191. https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/16/heres-everything-new-for-apple-notes-in-ios-26/
  192. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102484
  193. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102457
  194. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/upgrade-your-reminders-apd151b374b6/ios
  195. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/search-your-lists-iphd82e33605/ios
  196. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/reminders/id1108187841
  197. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-apple-intelligence-in-reminders-iphcb580b580/ios
  198. https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/12/ios-26-2-beta-adds-new-liquid-glass-customization-alarms-in-the-reminders-app-and-more/
  199. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-26-notes-app-reminders-app/
  200. https://support.apple.com/guide/icloud/set-up-reminders-mmbf52194b5a/icloud
  201. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-and-collaborate-iph2a8f9121e/ios
  202. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/06/ios-11-brings-new-features-to-iphone-and-ipad-this-fall/
  203. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/files/id1232058109
  204. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/find-and-view-files-and-folders-iphe4bff8827/ios
  205. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1J48u9HYpk
  206. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-photos-and-videos-iphf28f17237/ios
  207. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/perform-quick-actions-iphcc8f419db/ios
  208. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102532
  209. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102223
  210. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102238
  211. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2018/06/apple-previews-ios-12/
  212. https://9to5mac.com/2018/09/17/shortcuts-ios-12-now-available/
  213. https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/intro-to-shortcuts-apdf22b0444c/ios
  214. https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/launch-a-shortcut-from-another-app-apd163eb9f95/ios
  215. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcuts/id915249334
  216. https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/use-variables-apdd02c2780c/ios
  217. https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/discover-shortcuts-in-the-gallery-apdd018638ca/ios
  218. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-apple-intelligence-in-shortcuts-iph78c41eaf8/ios
  219. https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/share-shortcuts-apdf01f8c054/ios
  220. https://support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/sync-shortcuts-apdb3a4240b0/ios
  221. https://support.apple.com/en-us/121131
  222. https://9to5mac.com/2025/10/29/ios-26s-shortcuts-app-adds-25-new-actions-heres-everything-new/
  223. https://support.apple.com/en-us/125148
  224. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/translate-text-voice-and-conversations-iphd74cb450f/ios
  225. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/change-your-translate-settings-iphddb6e7264/ios
  226. https://education.apple.com/resource/250011491
  227. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/translate-text-in-apps-iphab4dcff1d/ios
  228. https://www.apple.com/health/
  229. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2014/06/02Apple-Unveils-iOS-8-the-Biggest-Release-Since-the-Launch-of-the-App-Store/
  230. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/view-your-health-data-iphe3d379c32/ios
  231. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108779
  232. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105072
  233. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/03/30/ios-19-4-revamped-health-app-rumor/
  234. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-your-health-data-iph5ede58c3d/ios
  235. https://www.apple.com/health/pdf/Health_Privacy_Overview_May_2023.pdf
  236. https://www.macstories.net/stories/the-new-fitness-app-in-ios-14/
  237. https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/07/13/how-workout-and-fitness-get-better-with-watchos-7-and-ios-14
  238. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/see-your-activity-summary-iph4c34a8a95/ios
  239. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-fitness-ipha5dddb411/ios
  240. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/09/ios-18-is-available-today-making-iphone-more-personal-and-capable-than-ever/
  241. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/12/apple-launches-journal-app-a-new-app-for-reflecting-on-everyday-moments/
  242. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-iph0e5ca7dd3/ios
  243. https://9to5mac.com/2025/06/17/apples-journal-app-is-coming-to-ipad-and-mac-with-big-upgrades/
  244. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2012/06/11Apple-Previews-iOS-6-With-All-New-Maps-Siri-Features-Facebook-Integration-Shared-Photo-Streams-New-Passbook-App/
  245. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102995
  246. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/look-around-places-iph65703a702/ios
  247. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-transit-directions-ipha44f57caa/ios
  248. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-maps-iph02f94fc1c/ios
  249. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/09/apple-maps-introduces-new-ways-to-explore-the-world/
  250. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/set-up-electric-vehicle-routing-iphc5e3a4b4b/ios
  251. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/8070393
  252. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/compass-iph1ac0b663/ios
  253. https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/257005/how-to-see-compass-accuracy-and-recalibrate-the-compass-in-ios-10
  254. https://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/07/14/iphone-compass-level/
  255. https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/ios-18-maps-features/
  256. https://www.macstories.net/stories/system-haptics-on-the-iphone-7/
  257. https://ios.gadgethacks.com/how-to/using-your-iphone-compass/
  258. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105038
  259. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/check-the-weather-iph1ac0b35f/ios
  260. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/view-weather-maps-iph0960651f5/ios
  261. https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/ios-weather-app-severe-weather-alerts
  262. https://9to5mac.com/2024/07/03/apples-weather-app-gets-two-new-features-in-ios-18/
  263. https://www.yahoo.com/tech/ios-18-brings-two-hidden-111500166.html
  264. https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/284283/ios-weather-widget-that-displays-two-locations
  265. https://www.macrumors.com/2018/06/04/apple-ar-measuring-app/
  266. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102468
  267. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/measure-dimensions-iphd8ac2cfea/ios
  268. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2019/06/apple-previews-ios-13/
  269. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-your-location-iph01954dc44/ios
  270. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/locate-a-device-iph09b087eda/ios
  271. https://support.apple.com/guide/security/locating-missing-devices-sece994d0126/web
  272. https://support.apple.com/en-us/119874
  273. https://support.apple.com/guide/security/find-my-security-sec6cbc80fd0/web
  274. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105107
  275. https://www.apple.com/wallet/
  276. https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/apple-adds-retail-credit-and-loyalty-cards-renames-passbook-to-wallet/
  277. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/about-apple-wallet-iphc05dba539/ios
  278. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105123
  279. https://support.apple.com/en-us/105065
  280. https://developer.apple.com/wallet/whats-new/
  281. https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/1nzfx2z/apple_wallets_new_boarding_passes_in_ios_26_now/
  282. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/11/12/apple-launches-digital-id-passport-feature/
  283. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/stocks/id1069512882
  284. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/check-stocks-iph1ac0b1bc/ios
  285. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/read-or-listen-to-business-news-iph013530e8d/ios
  286. https://www.asurion.com/connect/tech-tips/how-to-use-stocks-app-ios-18/
  287. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/use-a-stocks-widget-iphd2f15d06e/ios
  288. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2016/09/whats-new-in-ios-10/
  289. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/home/id1110145103
  290. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/control-accessories-iph0a717a8fd/ios
  291. https://www.matteralpha.com/explainer/ios-18-public-beta-whats-new-apple-home-app
  292. https://9to5mac.com/2024/06/11/ios-18-homekit-features-apple-smart-home/
  293. https://9to5mac.com/2025/05/12/apple-confirms-ios-19-will-end-support-for-legacy-home-app-system/
  294. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102287
  295. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2015/03/09Apple-Watch-Available-in-Nine-Countries-on-April-24/
  296. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/watch/id1069511734
  297. https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/explore-the-face-gallery-apdd909455f0/watchos
  298. https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/apps-on-apple-watch-apdf1ebf8704/watchos
  299. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108369
  300. https://support.apple.com/guide/watch/vitals-apd15aa7ed96/watchos
  301. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/06/introducing-watchos-10-a-milestone-update-for-apple-watch/
  302. https://www.apple.com/os/watchos/
  303. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/09/new-versions-of-apples-software-platforms-are-available-today/
  304. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/watch/apdde4d6f98e/watchos
  305. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108926
  306. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/119601
  307. https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/watch/apd6b2bcdb19/watchos
  308. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/05/apple-unveils-powerful-accessibility-features-coming-later-this-year/
  309. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/magnify-or-describe-things-around-you-iphe867dc99c/ios
  310. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/magnifier/id1563316278
  311. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/detect-people-around-you-iph19e03650c/ios
  312. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/05/apple-previews-live-speech-personal-voice-and-more-new-accessibility-features/
  313. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/detect-text-read-loud-iph29dbe3fb6/ios
  314. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/tips-iph3afc3b3fc/ios
  315. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tips/id1069509450
  316. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/get-started-with-preview-on-iphone-iph7239ea3b5/ios
  317. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/open-and-view-pdfs-and-images-iph7a0cdad0c/ios
  318. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/mark-up-pdfs-and-images-iphb3e3a9f9/ios
  319. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/work-with-multiple-windows-at-once-ipad08c9970c/ipados
  320. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/12/apple-launches-freeform-a-powerful-new-app-designed-for-creative-collaboration/
  321. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/draw-with-apple-pencil-ipadc55b6c7a/ipados
  322. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/11/ios-18-macos-15-freeform-app-scenes/
  323. https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/06/14/freeform-in-ios-18-is-enormously-easier-to-work-inside-and-navigate
  324. https://support.apple.com/guide/ipad/search-freeform-boards-ipad7ae086e1/ipados
  325. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/share-boards-and-collaborate-iph5a2eb2c7b/ios
  326. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/12/apple-intelligence-now-features-image-playground-genmoji-and-more/
  327. https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/create-original-images-with-image-playground-iph0063238b5/ios
  328. https://techcrunch.com/2016/06/14/apple-kills-the-game-center-app-but-the-service-will-continue/
  329. https://www.macrumors.com/2016/06/14/game-center-removed-ios-10-beta/
  330. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2025/06/introducing-the-apple-games-app-a-personalized-home-for-games/
  331. https://www.cnn.com/2012/09/11/tech/mobile/youtube-iphone-app
  332. https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-19162228
  333. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/youtube-launches-new-iphone-app-ahead-of-ios-6-release/
  334. https://www.macrumors.com/2017/06/30/youtube-app-take-back-control/
  335. https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/12/ios6-new-features-developers-mobile-safari/
  336. https://www.imore.com/yes-ios-6-beta-4-removes-youtube-app-and-could-be-good-thing
  337. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2017/03/apple-introduces-clips-the-fun-new-way-to-create-expressive-videos-on-ios/
  338. https://support.apple.com/en-us/123359
  339. https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/10/25/apple-tv-remote-app-influenced-steve-jobs-into-making-siri-remote
  340. https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/Remote_%28app%29
  341. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102661
  342. https://support.apple.com/en-us/108778
  343. https://9to5mac.com/2020/10/20/apple-removes-its-tv-remote-app-from-the-app-store-as-ios-now-has-an-integrated-remote/
  344. https://www.macrumors.com/2020/10/21/apple-tv-remote-app-removed/
  345. https://appleinsider.com/articles/20/10/20/apple-seemingly-discontinues-apple-tv-remote-app
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.