iOS 15 Tips App: New Onboarding Features

With the release of iOS 15, Apple redesigned the onboarding experience within the native Tips app to help users seamlessly discover and configure new system capabilities. Rather than offering a static list of generic tutorials, the updated onboarding flow introduces personalized content, actionable shortcuts directly into system settings, and dedicated walkthroughs for iOS 15 flagship features. This guide breaks down every key enhancement introduced to the onboarding process.

Dedicated "What’s New" Collection

Immediately following the update or during initial device setup, the Tips app greets users with a prominent "What’s New in iOS 15" hub. This section organizes tutorials around the operating system's major platform shifts, specifically guiding users through:

  • Focus Modes: Explaining how to configure custom profiles and automate notification filtering.
  • Live Text: Showing how to interact with text inside photos, screenshots, and the Camera viewfinder.
  • Redesigned Safari: Guiding users through the bottom tab bar layout and Tab Groups.
  • Notification Summaries: Showing how to schedule non-urgent notifications to arrive at set times.

A major functional improvement in the iOS 15 Tips onboarding is the inclusion of contextual deep links. Instead of merely describing how to adjust a preference, onboarding cards feature direct action buttons (such as "Try It" or "Open Settings"). Tapping these links navigates the user directly to the relevant menu inside the Settings app or supported native applications, allowing for immediate configuration.

Personalized and Hardware-Aware Curation

The onboarding flow adapts to the user's specific hardware and usage patterns. If a user sets up an iPhone with accessories like AirPods Pro or an Apple Watch, the Tips app dynamically surfaces onboarding cards for features like Spatial Audio or cross-device fitness tracking. It also hides guides for hardware features not supported on older compatible devices.

Contextual Suggestions

Rather than requiring users to manually read through every guide at once, the iOS 15 onboarding engine schedules relevant tips to appear over time. After the initial welcome, the app delivers subtle system notifications highlighting relevant shortcuts based on user behavior, ensuring the onboarding process feels integrated rather than overwhelming.