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iOS8 is set to be released the week of September 8, 2014. Visit this post for #iOS8 tips and tricks!
Update: At the end of this post are answers I’ve found to the most asked questions about the new iOS7 including pictures and wallpaper automatically resizing and losing the post to twitter and Facebook in the notification center.
As someone in the Apple Developer program, I was able to download iOS7 onto our iPhones before the release. We (Michael and I) wanted to share our favorite features with you, as well as some tips and tricks you might need to function when you first update your operating system to iOS7!
What We Love About iOS7
- Multiple pages of apps within folders.
- The default weather app–shows animations of the current weather in your area.
What We Don’t Love About iOS7
- The lag time when switching between apps “the old way.” While the animation does make for a cooler look, it makes the overall experience seem a little slower. And yes, I realize I’m talking about .002 seconds. You can call me spoiled. It’s much quicker to use the double-click method explained below.
- Michael thinks the new operating system makes his iPhone look like a Droid–I agree, there are some definite similarities.
- I really thought there would be a one-handed way to take a screenshot–kind of bummed it hasn’t changed.
iOS7 Tips And Tricks
Multiple pages Of Apps Within Folders
A dream come true for app junkies and bloggers, this is the smartest feature I’ve found:
Just keep adding apps to existing folders to take advantage of this feature. Drag from one screen to the next as you would on your home screens (touch and hold app, wait for it to shake and drag it to the next screen).
To Multitask and Close Apps In iOS7
Double click the home button (the small round button on the bottom front) and slide to easily switch between apps:
To close an app, “flick” it upward. This takes some getting used but you’ll learn quickly.
Wallpaper
Apple has preloaded some fun dynamic wallpapers that work well with their Parallax feature, the which makes the background seem almost 3D. The wallpapers that come with the new operating system are fairly basic, but as you can see there are colors to match the new iPhone 5c:
The colors go even further than the wallpaper–the control center feature also matches the wallpaper color and with the new iPhone 5c, your case color can now be integrated with your phone’s software.
If you’re looking for some more iOS7 backgrounds, here are 20 Parallax (dynamic) wallpapers for your iPhone from The Next Web.
Swipe Up For Control Center
The new swipe up feature for the iOS7 Control Center takes the place of what would take multiple clicks in iOS6. What used to be Settings > Brightness is now a swipe up from the bottom of the screen and a quick drag of a slider.
My favorite features of the Control Center are the flashlight, wi-fi settings, airplane mode and screen orientation.
The Control Center is available from any screen in iOS7, including the lock screen.
Here’s a full list of the features you’ll find in your control center:
- Airplane mode
- Wi-fi
- Bluetooth
- Do Not Disturb
- Screen Orientation
- Brightness
- Music Controls
- Airdrop and Airplay
- Flashlight
- Timer
- Calculator
- Camera
Continue To Swipe Down For Notifications
Your Notification Center is still available with a swipe down from the top of the screen.
Search In iOS7
You used to scroll left to the last screen to find a search bar, but now this feature is available by pulling down the home screen:
Tell me… what are your favorite tips about iOS7?
If you’re new to all things iPhone, check out my iPhone 101 post here:
Your iOS7 questions: Answered.
My wallpaper is automatically resized. How do I fix it? This is a part of the Parallax feature. To turn off Parallax (and leave your wallpapers the size they were), Settings > General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion. This is also helpful if you have motion sickness and are not able to easily view your new iPhone screen.
Where are my quick post to tweet and post to facebook buttons that were in the notification center? Unfortunately, those are gone. Some people mentioned that they technically weren’t notifications, so they didn’t belong there to begin with–but I understand–they were there and you did use them. There’s mention of these being brought to the control center, so keep an eye on that.
The weather app can’t find my location! You may need to update a few things. Try Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Make sure your location is on for the weather app. If that didn’t work, try Settings > Notification Center > and make sure undr Today View: Calendar Day View > On. You may need to restart your phone after this to see the information in your notifications. Note: This information will be in text form–not the fun animated view from iOS6.
What’s the blue dot next to some of my apps? Since you don’t have to manually update your apps anymore, this blue dot lets you know that app was recently updated.
Since updating I can no longer use landscape view when playing words with friends, it’s so annoying, is anyone else having this problem or know how to fix it? Thanks..Michelle
You’re not the only one, Michelle – I’d keep googling for answers, I bet they’re working on it!
I just found the correction for this this morning. You can swipe up the bottom where you can get to some settings. There are circles with symbols at the top. The one on the right is a picture of a lock. If it is locked, you tap it and it will unlock so you don’t have the “portrait screen” locked on and it should enable you to have horizontal views!
The compass app that is built in on the phone now has a level. Never know when you might need to level something .
I really do not like the new calendar! Is there a way to see a whole calendar page at once? Right now I can just see one week at a time. It was nice to see those little dots that told you there was an event that day; could see it all at a glance.
Also, you can not just clear a convo in texts; you have to get to your message list and edit that list and delete. This is a pain because then you have to start a whole new text message next time.
Those are the two main things I would like back. Granted, maybe the change abilities are there and I just havent found them, yet.
Thanks for the great article!
If you click on the name of the month, the whole month will appear. If you click on the search icon (magnifying glass, each day will appear in list form.
That helps a lot!!
For deleting specific texts, just hold your finger down on the bubble, and when the edit bar pops up just click “more”. It will then allow you to choose which messages you’d like to delete.
The thing I don’t like about the new calendar is that it is too easy to move (in the month view) I want it stablize when I get to a month, but it just flows from one to the other when you scroll and you may end up with half of one month and half another…fine if you want to see it that way, but confusing if you just want it line up like a wall calendar!!
I love the look of yhe new update but now since I have done the update my typing is very delayed and super slow. Please help me to fix this probelm. Because it is very annoying! I have HE IPHONE 4 s through AT&T!
Have you turned your phone off and on again, Morgan? That usually fixes quirks like this.
I find the icons to be too light colored. They don’t pop unless you use a dark background. With the lighter colored (pastel) backgrounds, the icons just blend in.
I updated last night and now my charger (not an apple charger) wont work. It keeps saying this product does not support… does anyone have a fix for this?
Another get tip for when you are closing out apps: If you double click your home button you will notice that you can see three open apps at a time. Take three fingers and place on each one and flick upwards. You can close up to three at a time. (:
LOVE this!
I’m not liking the new calendar but I LOVE LOVE LOVE that you can ZOOM on video now… Before and during recording!!
And that there’s a level in the compass app.
And in a group message it shows the pics next to the senders messages too!
Loving the new update!!
The folders are a puke color. Can you develop something that allows users to choose their color preference? This looks ugly. Also, why the cartoon toddler toy effect on the aps?
The folder colors change when you change the wallpaper color, Julie. Try doing that :)
The new camera options are wonderful. If ur like me and you use your iPhone to take lots of pictures of your children playing sports; the new shutter speed on the camera is great. Just hold down the capture button and it takes multiple pictures.
Anyone with the 5 having trouble saving photos that people send you in text messages? Only option is to copy. I used to be able to “save as image”. Help!
Click on the picture so you’re viewing it at full screen size. Down on the lower left hand corner, you’ll see a box w/ an arrow pointing up out of the top. (If it’s not there, just tap your screen for it to appear). Tap that box and two rows of icons will appear. The top row will give you the option to share the picture via message, mail, twiter, FB, etc. The bottom row will give you the option to save the image (to your camera roll), assign to a contact, Copy the image, or print the image. Hope that helps!!
How do you un-do upgrade? My daughter hates it!
Not sure if it will work, but about half way down the page is a box telling how to downgrade. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2425030/How-use-Apple-iOS-7-features-slammed-difficult-unfamiliar.html
Am I the only one not having huge problems after this upgrade? My banking app doesn’t wk, showtime won’t allow me to log in any longer and now my phone just shits off dead and won’t come on till it wants . Same issues with husbands too!
My banking app crashes with the new update and my instagram is completely messed up.
Melody and Danne, I’d try a few things: 1. Turn your phone all the way off and back on. 2. Restore your phone from the last backup. 3. Wait and allow your bank app to update-it could be that they haven’t updated yet. Maybe email them and ask?
I love the new iOS 7 but am struggling with my text and ring tones. If I have a lock on my phone it will only vibrate and if I take the lock off I have sound! I have compared mt settings to my hubby’s and they are all the same from what I can see — I want my phone locked for security purposes but I want to be able to hear when I am Geri g a text or call! Any suggestions?
Thank you for a great post! Super informative :-) I’ve heard that if you take a screen shot of a text it will send a message to the other person saying you took a picture of their text… Is this true?
I’m 99% sure that was a rumor. Try doing it with a friend and ask if they got a notification–I haven’t had it happen yet.
I was so upset by the IOS 7 update when I did it that I called Verizon and asked to have it taken off–and they said it couldn’t be done. I did the next best thing and told everyone around me, including my out of town daughters, not to update just yet. Apparently, every one knew to wait to update except me.
Verizon did help me with understanding some of the new or changed things. And yes–this is going to take a while to get used to.
Ok so I’m retarded but iTunes imports the songs I bought on my laptop to my iPhone but I can’t figure out how to play them! Help!
Your music app, Kelcee :) You might have to search the phone to find it.
Hi. I have tried going to General>Accessability to help stop the resizing of the pictures for wallpaper and it did not work when I turned it off. Please help if you have any further instructions.
Thank you,
Shelby
Just making sure – you went to General > Accessibility > Reduce Motion and turned it on?
Yes I did. It worked when I did it to my iPad, but it doesn’t work with my iPhone. Do you have any other suggestions?
Thank you,
Shelby
I don’t, Shelby – Have you tried turning your iPhone off and back on? If you still don’t see it you could restore from backup – that is usually a fix for glitches like this.
Having problems resigning in to my FaceTime! Very frustrating. Called Apple and they told me to keep trying for 3 more days. I know my id and password is right because I could sign in on the computer. HELP
Apple probably told you that for a reason :-/ They could be having system errors. My thought is to make sure you turn your phone off and back on, then maybe try a system restore.
My toaster is actually toasting my bread a little too much and no matter HOW i adjust it, I just can’t make it turn out right. It’s ruining my life. PLEASE HELP!!!