iOS 14 changed the iPhone Home Screen with widgets and App Library. It also introduced App Clips and changed several everyday interactions. The public release arrived on September 16, 2020; the original post's pre-release wording has been corrected.
The changes readers were looking for#
Home Screen widgets made selected information visible without opening its app. App Library organized applications into a separate view. Compact call presentation reduced the need for an incoming call to take over the whole screen, and Picture in Picture supported compatible video experiences.
Apple's release announcement and iOS 14 update notes describe the features and their availability. Those documents are more precise than assuming every feature worked in every region and application.
Compatibility is historical too#
A phone's eligibility for iOS 14 in 2020 does not establish its current security-update status. This version therefore does not reuse an old supported-device list as present-day purchasing or update advice.
Use the 2020 date when comparing these features with later iOS releases. For a common compatibility misconception, see what running iPhone apps on Windows actually means.
