I’ve been using Apple’s big new iOS 13 update for 24 hours, and the new Messages and Photos updates are the best part

The update comes with an updated Photos app, the long-awaited dark mode , and other changes.
While some say that iOS 13 is off a buggy start, I've had a good experience so far.
The best part are the changes to the Messages and Photos apps, both of which have updates that help you find exactly what you're looking for.
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Apple released iOS 13 for iPhones as old as the 6S on Thursday and although some people have been using the public beta since June, it's new to me.

I downloaded iOS 13 to my iPhone XR soon after it was released, and so far I've been impressed. While I haven't had the time to extensively test out every new feature in the sweeping new update, some updates stuck out immediately as clear improvements.

In this update, Apple focused on privacy, on performance, and on improving core apps like Photos, Maps, and Messages. I've been pleasantly surprised to find that those tweaks make my phone a little better and more useful: The new design of the Photos app makes it more usable, so you can quickly find the photo you're looking for. I also found some useful updates in the Messages app and in the App Store.

Read more: Here's how to download iOS 13, Apple's big new iPhone update

Finally, I'm optimistic about Shortcuts, the Apple-made app for helping automate common tasks on your phone. It comes built-in to iOS 13 (before, it was a separate download),and suggests some helpful uses based on your habits. I've already used some of those routines several times.

The actual usefulness of these changes will become more clear over time, but here are some of my first impressions after a day with iOS 13:

Messages got an update with some features that are already proving useful in the day Ive had iOS 13.

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Mary Meisenzahl

I frequently go back in a message thread to try and find something I saved for later. In iOS 13, you can see photos and links separately under "info," eliminating the need to scroll up. I can already tell this will save me time and frustration.

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Mary Meisenzahl

Its also easier to manage and delete messages (something I should do more frequently to clear up space on my phone). Instead of swiping to delete individual threads, theres now a button that will allow you to "Manage Messages List" and delete multiple threads at once in one go.

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Mary Meisenzahl

Ill always happily take more Memoji options. Memoji are Apples custom-made emoji that use the iPhones front camera to track and match your facial expression only available on the iPhone X and newer models.

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Mary Meisenzahl

Your options to share a message look a little different from before. The new design isnt exactly worse, but moving AirDrop down next to Messages means Ive almost accidentally airdropped several random links to people on the train while trying to send them to my sister. The muscle memory is hard to unlearn.

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Mary Meisenzahl

A minor App Store change is already proving helpful. Now, you can delete apps straight from the same screen where you see all your pending app updates. Thats handy, as seemingly every single app updates to support iOS 13 Ive seen a lot of apps that Ive forgotten about, and that can now be deleted.

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Mary Meisenzahl

In the same spirit of decluttering my phone, Im excited about the ability to automatically close tabs after certain periods in the Safari browser. Im embarrassed to say how many were actually open when I went to test this feature.

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Mary Meisenzahl

I'm finally admitting to myself I'll never read the article I opened in March.

As a devotee of Twitter dark mode, I was excited to finally have the feature for my iPhone. Right now, Im trying out the "Light Until Sunset," feature, letting my phone automatically switch between light and dark.

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Mary Meisenzahl

Typing by swiping across the keyboard is one of my favorite new features. I previously used Gboard to enable this feature, but occasionally updates would break it and Id have to re-add the keyboard manually. Having the swipe built into keyboards makes it effortless to use.

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Mary Meisenzahl

You can toggle this setting on and off under Settings, then General, then Keyboard, and scroll to the bottom.

So far, the Photos redesign has made it easier for me to find pictures and sort through old photos.

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Mary Meisenzahl

I'm not sure how I feel about the photos feed hiding screenshots yet. It does make my albums look cleaner, but it takes an extra second to find a screenshot when that's what I'm looking for. Hiding duplicates is a handy feature, though.

Some new shortcuts look promising, although I havent gotten to try them all out.

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Mary Meisenzahl

I can already tell that this shortcut that combines screenshots for easier sharing is going to get used all the time.

After a short time using the update, my advice is to download iOS 13 now, no need to wait for iOS 13.1. I havent noticed any major bugs, and the system is certainly usable as-is. Playing with the cool new features especially those updates to Photos and Messages is worth any minor risks of bugginess, in my opinion.

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I’ve been using Apple’s big new iOS 13 update for 24 hours, and the new Messages and Photos updates are the best part

Recommended articles

Messages got an update with some features that are already proving useful in the day Ive had iOS 13.

I frequently go back in a message thread to try and find something I saved for later. In iOS 13, you can see photos and links separately under "info," eliminating the need to scroll up. I can already tell this will save me time and frustration.

Its also easier to manage and delete messages (something I should do more frequently to clear up space on my phone). Instead of swiping to delete individual threads, theres now a button that will allow you to "Manage Messages List" and delete multiple threads at once in one go.

Ill always happily take more Memoji options. Memoji are Apples custom-made emoji that use the iPhones front camera to track and match your facial expression only available on the iPhone X and newer models.

A minor App Store change is already proving helpful. Now, you can delete apps straight from the same screen where you see all your pending app updates. Thats handy, as seemingly every single app updates to support iOS 13 Ive seen a lot of apps that Ive forgotten about, and that can now be deleted.

In the same spirit of decluttering my phone, Im excited about the ability to automatically close tabs after certain periods in the Safari browser. Im embarrassed to say how many were actually open when I went to test this feature.

As a devotee of Twitter dark mode, I was excited to finally have the feature for my iPhone. Right now, Im trying out the "Light Until Sunset," feature, letting my phone automatically switch between light and dark.

Typing by swiping across the keyboard is one of my favorite new features. I previously used Gboard to enable this feature, but occasionally updates would break it and Id have to re-add the keyboard manually. Having the swipe built into keyboards makes it effortless to use.

So far, the Photos redesign has made it easier for me to find pictures and sort through old photos.

Some new shortcuts look promising, although I havent gotten to try them all out.

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I’ve been using Apple’s big new iOS 13 update for 24 hours, and the new Messages and Photos updates are the best part

Recommended articles

Messages got an update with some features that are already proving useful in the day Ive had iOS 13.

I frequently go back in a message thread to try and find something I saved for later. In iOS 13, you can see photos and links separately under "info," eliminating the need to scroll up. I can already tell this will save me time and frustration.

Its also easier to manage and delete messages (something I should do more frequently to clear up space on my phone). Instead of swiping to delete individual threads, theres now a button that will allow you to "Manage Messages List" and delete multiple threads at once in one go.

Ill always happily take more Memoji options. Memoji are Apples custom-made emoji that use the iPhones front camera to track and match your facial expression only available on the iPhone X and newer models.

A minor App Store change is already proving helpful. Now, you can delete apps straight from the same screen where you see all your pending app updates. Thats handy, as seemingly every single app updates to support iOS 13 Ive seen a lot of apps that Ive forgotten about, and that can now be deleted.

In the same spirit of decluttering my phone, Im excited about the ability to automatically close tabs after certain periods in the Safari browser. Im embarrassed to say how many were actually open when I went to test this feature.

As a devotee of Twitter dark mode, I was excited to finally have the feature for my iPhone. Right now, Im trying out the "Light Until Sunset," feature, letting my phone automatically switch between light and dark.

Typing by swiping across the keyboard is one of my favorite new features. I previously used Gboard to enable this feature, but occasionally updates would break it and Id have to re-add the keyboard manually. Having the swipe built into keyboards makes it effortless to use.

So far, the Photos redesign has made it easier for me to find pictures and sort through old photos.

Some new shortcuts look promising, although I havent gotten to try them all out.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Recommended articles

Top 10 African countries with the highest fuel prices in April 2024

The gold trade in Uganda makes a huge comeback

Best live dealer casino: Top USA live casinos online

Best real money online casinos USA: Top 10 casino sites in 2024

OPEC excited about partnership with Namibia

The US loses to Russia and China in popularity across Africa

Top 10 most valuable South African brands in 2024

Africa's giants play tug of war for the top economic spot

Morocco is making giant strides to become Africa's aviation manufacturing hub

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