Fix the Most Annoying iPhone Features in iOS 16

iOS 16 added useful options, but features such as the new lock screen, persistent notifications and keyboard haptics can feel intrusive. Use these steps to adjust the settings that bother you; you’ll need an iPhone running iOS 16 and its passcode if you change protected settings.

What You’ll Need

• An iPhone running iOS 16. Menu wording can vary slightly between iOS 16 updates and iPhone models.
• Your device passcode, if prompted. Back up the iPhone before considering a settings reset; the steps below do not normally erase data.

Step-by-Step

1. Stop the lock screen from being easy to change. On the Lock Screen, touch and hold an empty area to open the wallpaper gallery. If it asks, authenticate with Face ID or your passcode. Swipe to the wallpaper you want and tap it. To avoid accidentally entering the gallery, lock the phone before putting it away, and avoid long-pressing the Lock Screen when handling the device. iOS 16 does not provide a separate switch to turn off the wallpaper gallery gesture.
2. Make notifications less cluttered. Open Settings > Notifications. Under Display As, choose Count to show a number at the bottom of the Lock Screen instead of stacked previews, or choose List to show notifications in a list. Choose Stack if you prefer the default grouped presentation. To reduce interruptions from a particular app, tap its name on the same screen and adjust Allow Notifications, alerts, sounds or Lock Screen delivery. Turning notifications off means you may miss that app’s alerts.
3. Change the Lock Screen clock or widgets. Touch and hold the Lock Screen, then tap Customize and select the Lock Screen. Tap the clock to choose an available font and color, or tap a widget area to change or remove its widgets. Tap Done when finished. If the customization controls do not appear, authenticate first or make sure you are pressing and holding the Lock Screen itself, not an open app.
4. Turn off keyboard haptics or sounds. Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback. Turn off Haptic to stop the small vibration with each key, and turn off Sound if you also want silent typing. These controls are separate: changing one does not necessarily change the other. If you do not see Keyboard Feedback, check that the phone is running iOS 16 or later.
5. Stop the Home Screen search button from getting in the way. Open Settings > Home Screen and switch off Show on Home Screen under Search. The search function remains available: swipe down from the middle of the Home Screen to open it. This hides the button above the Dock; it does not remove search from the iPhone.
6. Choose a less distracting Focus setup. Open Settings > Focus, choose a Focus such as Do Not Disturb, and review the people and apps allowed to notify you. Check its schedule or automation if it turns on at unexpected times. If you do not want a Focus to change your wallpaper, open that Focus and review its customization options, then disconnect the Lock Screen if one is linked. The available controls depend on your iOS version and configuration.
7. Reduce accidental calls from the side button. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and turn on Prevent Lock to End Call. This can prevent a side-button press from ending a call, though it also means the button will not lock the screen during a call in the usual way. Turn it off again if you prefer the normal behavior.

Common Mistakes

• Changing an app’s notification settings but leaving its alerts enabled in another delivery location. Check the app’s individual options under Settings > Notifications.
• Expecting a hidden Home Screen search button to disable search. Swiping down still opens search by design.
• Turning off keyboard sound and assuming haptics are off too. Check both Keyboard Feedback switches.
• Confusing a wallpaper’s appearance with an iOS feature. Some Lock Screen images have depth or layered effects; changing the wallpaper or customizing it may be more suitable than changing general settings.
• Resetting all settings to fix one annoyance. A reset can undo preferences for networks, privacy, accessibility and other features, so try the individual controls first.

Tips

• Change one setting at a time, then use the phone normally for a while. This makes it easier to identify what helped.
• For notifications, adjust only the apps that interrupt you. Keeping time-sensitive alerts enabled may matter more than making the Lock Screen completely quiet.
• Use multiple Lock Screens if you want different looks for different situations. Touch and hold the Lock Screen to switch or customize available screens.
• If a setting has disappeared, open Settings and search for its name. Apple may move controls between updates, and accessibility or device-management settings can affect what appears.

Troubleshooting

If the menu path does not match, confirm the iOS version at Settings > General > About. iOS 16 menus may differ from later releases, and some options vary by model. Install an available iOS update if you want the latest fixes and settings, but check storage and back up first.

If a change does not take effect, close and reopen the relevant app, lock and unlock the phone, or restart it. For notification problems, confirm that Allow Notifications is enabled for the app and that a Focus is not silencing it. For unwanted Focus activation, inspect schedules and automations. If the Lock Screen gallery opens unexpectedly, verify that the phone is locked before handling it; there is no universal iOS 16 setting that disables the long-press gallery.

If several settings behave unpredictably, first note your current preferences and check for a software update. As a last resort, Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings restores many system preferences without deleting photos or apps, but it can remove saved settings such as Wi-Fi networks and privacy choices. Read the confirmation carefully; do not select Erase All Content and Settings unless you intend to erase the iPhone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I completely disable the iOS 16 Lock Screen wallpaper gallery?
No. iOS 16 does not include a switch to turn off the long-press gallery. Lock the iPhone before putting it away and avoid pressing and holding the screen.

Can I remove the Home Screen search button but keep search?
Yes. Turn off Show on Home Screen under Settings > Home Screen. Swipe down on the Home Screen to search.

Why do notifications still appear after I change their display style?
Count, Stack and List change how Lock Screen notifications are presented, not whether apps are allowed to send them. Review each app under Settings > Notifications.

Does turning off keyboard haptics also silence typing sounds?
No. In Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback, switch off Haptic and Sound separately as needed.

Will Reset All Settings delete my photos?
It is intended to reset settings rather than erase personal content, but it can undo many preferences. Back up first, and do not choose Erase All Content and Settings unless you want to wipe the device.

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