WordPress 5.6 is probably the last major release of the year 2020. This new WordPress release came up with a lot of improvement and new features. Plus, it also has a brand new default WordPress theme. 

Today, in this blog we will discuss the new updates in WordPress 5.6 and its features you should try out after updating your website. Without further ado, let’s get started. 

The New Default WordPress Theme

WordPress usually releases a new default theme each year that is generally named after the year. The new WordPress theme provides a canvas for the WordPress block editor along with other website editing features. The theme is simple, un-opinionated, refreshing, and easy to use.  

The typography of the theme is similar to to the default system fonts. There are no additional font files to load. The new theme of this new version has its own typography and fonts. You can try out the homepage layout if you want to test the new theme. 

To use the theme go to Appearance > Customize page and hit the publish button to generate basic website pages.

Improvements In Block Editor

A content editor in WordPress is where you will spend most of the time making layouts, writing blog posts, and creating pages. Some noticeable changes block editor include:

Organized Pattern Categories

The patterns panel in the theme has a category switcher in the Add new block. This makes it easy for you to use the pattern. You can also distinguish them from the default WordPress theme patterns.

Improving Block Search Through Keyword Variations

With the help of a block editor, a developer can store keyword variations that will help the users to find the block. This will enhance the block search feature. Plus, it will also help the users to discover blocks added by third-party plugins or block libraries.

Controlling Video Position For The Cover Back

The cover block only showed position controls for images back then. With WordPress 5.6, the users can set video position inside the cover block.

Ease In The Character Information Panel 

In the new WordPress theme, the information panel will now show character along with block, words, and paragraphs used in the content. 

Social Icons Block

The social icons block now comes with two improvements. Firstly, users can choose to open all the links in a separate window of the block. Secondly, there is a new grey style for social icon buttons.

The Lists Block Colour Support

The lists block now has the feature to select background and text colours without adding the list into another block. 

Editor Options Are Now Called Preferences

The default block editor has a settings panel which allows you to set up the editor to your own liking. In WordPress 5.6, now the new model name has been changed from Options to Preferences.

Support For PHP 8

PHP is basically the main programming language for WordPress. PHP also releases new versions of additional features, improve performances, and fix bugs. 

PHP 8 was expected to release on November 26 closer to the release of WordPress 5.6. The core team worked hard and planned well to find and fix any known compatibility issues with PHP 8. 

This will help the users who want to upgrade to the latest PHP version. But the test is yet to run by the plugin and theme developers to check their code for compatibility. 

The New Automatic Updates For WordPress Major Releases

Earlier in 2020, WordPress 5.6 made it easier to turn on automatic updates for specific plugins. WordPress 5.6 has extended this feature and added the option for turning on automatic updates for other WordPress major releases too. 

To do this, go to Dashboard > Updates page inside your WordPress admin area. Click on the “Enable automatic updates for all new versions of WordPress” option. 

This feature is optional for you. It is up to you whether you want to enable this option or not. If you are using a managed WordPress hosting. They will automatically update WordPress for you.

Application Passwords For Rest API

The Rest API in WordPress helps developers to easily communicate with a website that is outside the WordPress installation itself. 

To make it secure, WordPress uses nonce keys and cookies. They ensure that only legitimate users can access the API. These methods were not good to work with.  

WordPress 5.6 helps developers to use application passwords in WordPress. The users can now access and manage their website by going to Users > Profile page.  

Wrapping Up 

This is all you need to know about what’s new in WordPress 5.6. If you found this article helpful, follow us on Digitalleadr’s social channels and subscribe to our YouTube channel for more information.