More Customization Than Ever
iOS 18 introduces expanded customization for the Home Screen and Control Center. Users can now organize app icons and widgets around their wallpaper, choosing from light, dark, or tinted themes. Control Center gets a major redesign with flexible groups of controls for media, Home, and connectivity, plus the ability to rearrange or even remove controls from the Lock Screen. Users of iPhone 15 Pro and later can also map their favorite controls to the Action button for quicker access.Biggest Redesign of the Photos App
The Photos app receives its largest update yet, with a new layout that unifies the library into a more intuitive view. Collections like Recent Days, People & Pets, and Trips are automatically created using on-device intelligence, making it easier to find special moments. Users can now customize their experience, pin favorite collections, and view memories with personalized layouts.Enhanced Messages and Phone App
The Messages app has received minor enhancements, including the ability to format text with bold, italics, and more. New text effects bring conversations to life, and Tapbacks now support emojis and stickers. A delayed-send feature allows users to compose iMessages in advance. For those in areas without Wi-Fi or cellular service, Messages via satellite offers texting via satellite technology. The update also brings RCS support for richer messaging with Android users.In the Phone app, live call recording and transcription enable users to save and search through conversations later. Transcripts are stored directly in the Notes app for quick access. Also, T9 dialing finally makes its way to the iPhone! Android converts rejoice!
Smart Categorization in Mail
Mail now organizes messages into categories like Primary, Transactions, and Promotions. A new digest view shows all relevant messages from a particular sender, making it easier to manage emails efficiently.Distraction-Free Browsing in Safari
Safari remains the world’s fastest browser, and it now comes with new features like Highlights, which surfaces key information from websites like addresses or media summaries. The redesigned Reader mode offers a more streamlined view for articles, complete with summaries and a table of contents.Introducing the Passwords App
iOS 18 debuts the Passwords app, built on the foundation of Keychain. This new app consolidates all user credentials, from passwords to passcodes and verification codes, into a single, secure location, with end-to-end encryption and cross-device syncing.Privacy and Security Features
The update introduces Locked and Hidden apps, ensuring that private information remains confidential. Users can lock specific apps, and notifications within those apps will remain hidden from search and notifications. There’s also more control over how apps access contacts, and a seamless, more private experience when connecting third-party accessories to the iPhone.Apple Intelligence: A New Personal AI Assistant
One of the most anticipated additions is Apple Intelligence, a new generative AI system that’s deeply integrated into iOS 18. Available starting next month with iOS 18.1, it will assist with various tasks across the system. Users can refine their writing, create customized photo memories, and even search for specific moments in videos using natural language.Apple Intelligence also brings a new Clean Up tool for removing distracting background objects in photos and a Writing Tools feature that offers proofreading, rewriting, and summarization in apps like Mail and Notes.
Siri Gets Smarter and More Flexible
Siri is also enhanced with new natural language understanding, allowing it to maintain context between requests. Its new design features a glowing light that wraps around the iPhone’s edge when activated, and it now supports seamless switching between text and voice commands. The new Siri is also unavailable at this moment but will come in iOS 18.1 next month.Game Mode and Updates for AirPods
For gamers, iOS 18 introduces Game Mode, which enhances frame rates for a smoother experience during long sessions. New updates for AirPods improve wireless responsiveness, including better noise cancellation and Voice Isolation for clearer calls. AirPods Pro 2 are also gaining over-the-counter hearing aid capabilities later this fall, offering a personalized hearing test for users with mild to moderate hearing loss.Additional Enhancements
Other updates include:• Apple Maps: Thousands of new hiking routes across U.S. national parks and custom walking routes that work offline.
• Journal App: New insights view for tracking journaling goals and logging mindful minutes to the Health app.
• Home App: Guest access and improved control over home devices, including energy usage tracking.
• Emergency SOS: Live video-sharing with emergency dispatchers.
• Health App: Enhanced features for pregnancy tracking and a redesigned Medical ID for emergencies.
Availability
iOS 18 is now available for all devices from iPhone Xr and newer.For more information, visit Apple’s iOS 18 page.
