iOS 18: Discover new features in Apple’s latest operating system

Apple has released the latest version of its iOS operating system, iOS 18. The company debuted the operating system at WWDC 2024 in June and began rolling it out to iPhones on September 16.

In many ways, iOS 18 could be considered the biggest update to iOS in a while, as it brings major changes to the design, features, and overall usability.

The new iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models also get AI features that you won’t find on other iPhones. I’ll walk you through some of the key features of iOS 18 that you should know about.

Which iPhones will get the iOS 18 update?

Before we get the features, it’s important to know if your iPhone will get the latest iOS update. Here’s a list of iPhones that are eligible for the iOS 18 update.

• iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation) and SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 12 mini, 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini, 13, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max

8 iOS 18 Features Everyone Should Know About

iOS 18 is a huge update that includes a ton of new features and improvements. I won’t go into detail about them all, but here are eight of my favorites. I’ve been using some of these for a while now, since I was part of the beta program, which gave me early access.

1.Home Screen Customizations

If you’ve been using iPhones for a while, you know that Apple hasn’t given you much control over how things look on the screen. That’s changing now with iOS 18 as the company has introduced several new features that let you customize your iPhone’s Home screen.

You can now freely place app icons and widgets anywhere in the Home screen grid. This is something that Android users have been bragging about to iPhone users for a while now. In a way, it gives your iPhone a more personalized look.

Apple also lets you change the color of your apps and widgets on the Home screen. You can switch between light and dark mode, and the icons will adjust accordingly if the app has a dark mode icon.

2. The most significant Photos redesign

This major update to Photos makes it easier to find and relive special moments. The sleek, clean design of the library offers a unified yet familiar look. New collections like Recent Days, People & Pets, and Travel use device intelligence to automatically organize your library, so you can spend less time searching and more time enjoying your memories. You can also personalize your experience with a customizable layout that highlights what matters most to you and pins your favorite collections for quick access.

3. Locking and hiding apps

There are some apps that you may want to keep on your phone, but don’t want others to know about. With iOS 18, iPhone users can now lock any app behind Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, ensuring that no one can open the app without authenticating you. 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 the App Library or search results. You won’t receive any notifications from the app unless you open the designated hidden folder in the App Library. The only way to access this folder is with Face ID, Touch ID, or a password.

4. Updated Messages App

Apple has added some cool new features to the Messages app. You can now use text effects for specific words in your messages, with options like Large, Small, Shake, Gesture, Burst, Ripple, Boom, and Shake. Plus, there are new formatting options that look more like the ones you’d find in Google Docs or Microsoft Word.

The Messages app is also getting an updated Tapback system, so you can reply to messages with a wider range of emojis or stickers, not just the ones Apple previously approved. Another new feature is scheduling, which lets you set messages to send at a later time.

5. Siri Gets an AI Boost

Apple’s virtual assistant, Siri, has been pretty limited up until now. They’ll often direct you to Apple’s website or insist on searching the web for almost every question. However, with iOS 18, Apple is giving Siri a major AI upgrade. The new Siri will be able to handle more complex questions and remember what you say, like ChatGPT.

Apple also says that Siri will be able to see what’s on your screen and answer any questions you have. Plus, you’ll be able to find specific messages, photos, or files. For example, you can ask Siri to locate an email you received from your coworker about a project last month or show you the recipe you saved for your favorite pasta dish.

However, the new Siri won’t be available with the initial release of iOS 18. Apple says the upgrade is still in the works and will arrive either later this year or early in 2025.

6. Control Center Changes

Control Center gets a new multi-page layout with a gallery of controls where third-party developers can add their own widgets. You can even enable 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 updated Control Center. For example, Apple showed off how the Ford app will use this API to let you start your car, open the trunk, and more right from Control Center.

7. Rich Communication Service (RCS) Support

You won’t really notice or get much RCS if most of your friends and family are using iPhones. RCS is designed to improve text messaging between iPhones and Android devices.

It’s an upgrade to SMS/MMS. It adds things like typing indicators, delivery and read receipts, higher-quality photos and videos, and the ability to send text messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data instead of relying solely on your carrier’s network. It also makes it easier to manage group conversations, such as letting you leave conversations.

8. iPhone Screen Mirroring

With iOS 18, Apple has made it easier for iPhones and Macs to collaborate. The new iPhone Screen Mirroring feature lets you control your iPhone right from your Mac by mirroring your iPhone’s screen to your Mac. You can use your Mac’s mouse, keyboard, and trackpad to manage iPhone apps, check notifications, and more. This feature will essentially create a digital copy of your iPhone on your Mac.

What about all the AI ​​features?

Most of Apple Intelligence’s AI features won’t be available with the initial release of iOS 18. As I mentioned earlier, these features will roll out in later iOS 18 updates, perhaps later this year or early 2025. However, the features I talked about earlier will be ready immediately after installing the iOS 18 update, with the exception of the updated Siri.

How to install the iOS 18 update?

• Click on Settings
• Click on General
• Click on Software Update
• If an update is available, it will give you the option to download and install it.

To keep your phone up to date, you can turn on automatic updates. Simply go to the Software Update screen, click on Automatic Updates, and turn on all the services that you want to update automatically.

Kurt’s Main Takeaway

iOS 18 is a nice upgrade with a ton of improvements for your iPhone. You can customize your phone and use cool features like iPhone Mirroring to better communicate with your other Apple devices. The Messages app now includes fun effects to spice up your texting experience. However, it’s a bit disappointing that the Apple Intelligence features that have been touted since WWDC aren’t out of the box with the initial release.

Which iOS 18 feature do you think you’ll use the most?