Your iPhone homescreen is completely changing today with new iOS 14 update (2024)

APPLE is giving your iPhone's homescreen a total makeover later today – and fans are split.

The new design adds loads of cool features, and some Android fans have even vowed to quit and join the Apple brigade.

But others aren't seen keen on the new design.

It's all part of the new iOS 14 update, which rolls out to iPhones on Wednesday, September 16.

The big update should roll out to everyone in September, and completely changes the way to the homescreen looks.

Just like on Android phones, your iPhone will now have an App Library.

All of your apps will be organised automatically inside this App Library.

It means that you don't have to keep all of your apps on the homescreen.

If you've got loads of homescreen pages, you can tap to hide some of them – and then track down missing apps in the App Library.

Apple has also updated its widgets to look much better than before.

And like Android, you can now put these widgets on the homescreen alongside your apps.

For instance, you could have podcast or weather widgets on your homescreen.

This will completely change the way your homescreen looks, arguably for the better.

But some Apple fans weren't too happy with the change when it was announced back in June.

One Twitter user moaned: "They are changing the homescreen so it looks more like that ugly Android.

"I haven't changed from iPhone since I first got a smartphone because I don't want that messy Android."

Another said: "Not sure how I feel about iOS 14, honestly the first iOS update since I've had an iPhone I'm not excited about.

"Widgets aren't cool to me and app library seems unnecessary."

And one irate user described it as "so ugly".

But the majority of iPhone users seemed pleased with the changes.

"WWDC was amazing! The new App Library on iOS 14 is really cool, as well as Widgets," said one Twitter user.

Another praised Apple for its widgets, adding: "This update is so amazing and I hope we get more amazing things like this in the future."

And Apple is even converting Android fans.

"I'm a long time Android user here and you may have just won me over with iOS 14," they said.

"I still hate Lightning and that notch so we'll see how this iPhone 12 turns out. So far so good."

iOS 14 – what else is changing?

Apple has finally added a proper picture-in-picture mode that works across the device.

So you can play videos while doing other things.

And audio will still play across the device.

Siri has received a major update.

Your iPhone can now run dictation on the device, so you can read out texts to the Message app.

Apple is also using Siri’s technology for a new app called Translate.

It lets two people who speak different languages have text conversations.

The app works offline, and is a clear rival to Google’s own Translate app.

Messages is getting an update.

You can now pin conversations to the top of the Messages app.

And there are 20 new hear and headwear styles for Apple’s animated Memoji avatars.

There are face coverings (because duh!), and new age options for Memoji too.

Apple has added “mentions” that let you tag people in group conversations.

And there are now in-line replies for miniature threads in group chats – a bit like in Slack.

Apple has also promised to reinvent the car key.

“They’ve become big, bulky and ripe for reimagining,” said Craig.

Your iPhone can now work as a digital car key on certain new car models.

The first car to support the tech is the new BMW 5-Series, available next month.

But Apple says it’s working with other car-makers too.

You can turn off the key remotely via iCloud if you lose your iPhone.

And you can even text your key to a pal temporarily if they want to borrow the car.

Eventually, the feature will let you enter your car without even taking your iPhone out of your pocket, just because the car knows the handset is nearby.

Apple also unveiled App Clips.

They’re “light and fast” pieces of apps, and work through virtual cards.

You tap your iPhone on a real-world NFC tag (or scan a QR code), and it launches an App Clip.

For instance, you could access a shareable scooter in the real world, or check a coffee shop menu.

You can also launch App Clips from the web too, including via text.

The new update will be available from Wednesday, September 16.

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