Apple has released the latest version of its iOS operating system, iOS 18. The company first showed off the OS at WWDC 2024 in June and began rolling it out to iPhones on September 16.
In many ways, iOS 18 can be considered the biggest iOS update in a while, as it introduces major changes to design, functionality, and overall usability.
The iPhone 15 Pro and the new iPhone 16 models also come with artificial intelligence features not available on other iPhones. Here are some of the key iOS 18 features you should know about.
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What’s new in iOS 18? (apple)
Which iPhones will receive the iOS 18 update?
Before reading about the features, it is important to know if your iPhone is eligible for the latest iOS update. Below is the list of iPhones that are eligible for the iOS 18 update:
- iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation), SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
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8 iOS 18 features everyone should know about
iOS 18 is a massive update with a ton of improvements and new features. I won’t go into detail on all of them, but here are eight of my favorites, some of which I’ve been using for a while now, as I was part of the beta program which gave me early access.
1. Customizing your home screen
If you’ve been using an iPhone for a while, you know that Apple doesn’t give you much control over what appears on your screen, but iOS 18 changes that, introducing some new features that let you customize your iPhone’s home screen.
You can now freely place app icons and widgets anywhere within the home screen grid, something Android users have long boasted about to iPhone users, and in some ways it makes the iPhone feel more personalized.
Apple also lets you change the color of apps and widgets on your home screen, you can switch between light and dark mode, and if an app has a dark mode icon, the icon will adjust accordingly.
Customize your iPhone home screen (apple)
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2. Most important photo redesign
This major update to the Photos app makes it easier to find and relive special moments. An elegant, streamlined layout presents a unified, familiar looking library. New collections, like Recent Days, People & Pets, and Travel, use on-device intelligence to automatically organize your library so you spend less time searching and more time enjoying your memories. You can also personalize your experience by highlighting what matters most to you with customizable layouts and pinning your favorite collections for instant access.
3. Lock and hide apps
There are some apps you want to keep on your phone, but don’t want others to know about. With iOS 18, iPhone users can now lock apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, so no one can open them without authorization. If you want to take it a step further, you can use the Hide feature.
When you hide an app, it won’t appear in your App Library or search results. You won’t receive notifications from the app unless you open its special hidden folder from the App Library. The only way to access this folder is with Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
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4. Messages app upgrade
Apple has added some cool new features to its Messages app. You can now apply text effects to specific words in your message. Options include big, small, wiggle, nod, explode, ripple, flower, jitter, and more. Plus, there are new formatting options that are very similar to those found in Google Docs and Microsoft Word.
The Messages app also gets an upgrade to its Tapback system, allowing you to react to messages with a wider range of emojis and stickers, rather than just the ones previously approved by Apple. Another new feature is scheduling, which lets you set messages to be sent at a later time.
Upgraded messaging app (apple)
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5. Siri’s AI will be improved
Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, has been pretty limited up until now. Most of the time, it only guides you through Apple’s websites or requests a web search for almost every question. But with iOS 18, Apple is giving Siri a major AI upgrade. The new Siri will be able to answer more complex questions and remember what you say, like ChatGPT.
Apple says Siri can understand what’s on your screen and answer questions if you ask it. It can also find specific messages, photos, and files. For example, you can ask Siri to find an email you received from a colleague last month about a project, or show you the recipe for your favorite pasta dish.
However, the new Siri won’t be available in the initial release of iOS 18. The upgrade is still in the works and is expected to be released at the end of the year or early 2025, according to Apple.
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6. Changes to the Control Center
Control Center has a new multi-page layout with a Control Gallery where third-party developers can add their own widgets, and you can even display new controls on the lock screen, replacing the flashlight and camera icons.
Apple also introduced a new API that allows third-party apps to add controls to the revamped Control Center — for example, Apple demonstrated how a Ford app could use the API to let you start your car or open your trunk directly from Control Center.
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7. RCS (Rich Communication Services) Support
If most of your friends and family use iPhones, RCS won’t be of much use to you. RCS is designed to improve text messaging between iPhones and Android devices.
It’s an upgrade from SMS/MMS, and adds things like typing indicators, delivery and read notifications, higher quality photos and videos, the ability to send texts over Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of relying on your carrier’s network, and easier management of group chats, including the ability to leave a conversation.
8. iPhone Mirroring
In iOS 18, Apple has made it easier for your iPhone and Mac to work together. With the new iPhone Mirroring feature, you can display your iPhone screen on your Mac and control your iPhone directly from your Mac. You can use your Mac’s mouse, keyboard, and trackpad to manage your iPhone apps, see notifications, and more. This feature essentially creates a digital version of your iPhone on your Mac.
What about AI capabilities?
Most of Apple Intelligence’s AI features won’t be available in the initial release of iOS 18. As mentioned earlier, they’ll be rolled out in a future update to iOS 18, likely later this year or early 2025. However, the features we just discussed will be available as soon as you install the iOS 18 update, with the exception of the upgraded Siri.
How do I install the iOS 18 update?
- Tap setting
- Tap General
- Tap Software Updates
- If an update is available, you’ll be given the option to download and install it.
To keep your phone up to date, turn on automatic updates: Go to the Software Update screen, click “Auto Update,” and turn on all the services you want to update automatically.
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Important points about the cart
iOS 18 is an exciting upgrade with a ton of improvements for your iPhone. You can customize your phone and improve connectivity with other Apple devices with cool features like iPhone Mirroring. The Messages app now has fun effects to spice up your texting experience. However, it’s a bit disappointing that the Apple Intelligence features that have been talked about since WWDC aren’t immediately available in the initial release.
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