iOS 13, which launches today, is less about a grand, orchestrated new direction, and more about lots of really, really useful little features and tweaks. For instance, one of the best changes is that Safari on iPad is now a proper desktop browser, just like you have on you Mac. And then there’s the new top row of the share sheet, which gives one-tap buttons to share to friends via iMessage.
Or, in iPadOS 13, which ships at the end of the month, you can plug in pretty much any USB device and it will work. Hard drives, SD cards full of movies, anything.
So, while you’re waiting for the new version of iOS to install on your device(s), check out all the new iOS 13 features right here.
All iOS 13’s best new features
Photography

Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
Even for older devices, the Camera app and Photos app bring some amazing additions. The new Photo library view will take a bit of getting used to, but you’ll soon love it. The editing tools alone are worth the upgrade, and you can even edit your videos.
How to use iOS 13’s new High-Key Mono Portrait Lighting effect
Check out the next-level photo editing tools in iOS 13
iOS 13 finally lets you edit, crop and filter your videos
iOS 13 lets you strip location data when sharing photos
New in iOS 13

Photo: Cult of Mac
There are a few brand-new features in iOS 13, including welcome additions to Mail, and the keyboard. Check them out.
iPad is a whole new beast after leaving iPhone behind
What you need to know about Dark Mode on iOS 13
How to use 3D Touch menus in iPadOS
5 new iOS 13 features you haven’t heard about yet
iPadOS lets you open multiple instances of the same app for powerful multitasking
How to take iOS 13’s new PDF screenshots, including text!
8 great iOS 13 and iPadOS features (and 2 terrible ones)
Apple Pencil and QuickPath floating keyboard
Secrets to multitasking like a pro in iPadOS 13
How to block unwanted calls, email and messages in iOS 13
Listen to music, movies on two pairs of AirPods with iOS 13 Audio Sharing
Here’s how multi-select works in iPadOS 13
iOS 13 finally lets you (kinda) replace Apple’s default apps
How to use iPadOS’ new full-page PDF capture tool
How to use the amazing new text tools in iPadOS
New Apple apps features

Photo: Cult of Mac
Reminders, Notes, iMessage and even the Podcasts app all get new features in iOS 13.
How to use the new iPhone Migration tool
Check out the great hidden features in iOS 13 Reminders app
How to repeat and shuffle songs in iOS 13
Time and location triggers make Shortcuts far more useful in iOS 13
How to use Safari’s download manager in iOS 13
Notes app censors handwritten curse words in iOS 13
How to add a custom iMessage avatar in iOS 13
Finally, iOS 13 can create reminders from Mail
How to use Apple Maps Look Around feature in iOS 13
How to search podcast transcripts in iOS 13
iPadOS Files’ search is now almost as good as the Mac’s
Using a mouse and USB devices in iOS 13

Photo: Charlie Sorrel/Cult of Mac
This is mostly for the iPad, but you can use a mouse with the iPhone if you really want to. And yes, with the right Camera Connection Kit adapter, you can even plug a hard drive or thumb drive into your iPhone.
Every USB device I’ve plugged into an iOS 13 iPad so far
Everything you need to know about external hard drives and iPadOS
Make the most of mouse buttons in iOS 13
What really happens when you duplicate a file on iOS?
New iOS 13 gestures: How to use copy, paste & undo iPadOS 13 gestures
Safari tips
Oh, Safari. You’re even better than your Mac version now!
iOS 13 Safari stops you from opening the same site twice
How to use Safari’s amazing new settings in iOS 13
How to save all open tabs to a folder in iOS 13 Safari