iOS 18 is Apple’s current operating system for its iPhone models. Here is everything you need to know about this major update.
iOS 18 is Apple‘s current operating system for iPhone models, including the new iPhone 16. Previewed during the WWDC 2024 keynote, this software update offers a Home Screen redesign, more privacy features, and Apple Intelligence.Release Date
iOS 18 has been available since September 16, 2024. Its first beta was released on June 10, with a public beta made available the following month.Features
iOS 18 is full of new features for iPhone users. BGR has compiled the most important ones here for you.
Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center revamp
In previous iOS updates, Apple has tweaked the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center. This time, the company has finally taken customization to a new level. Now, apps can be organized in any way, which means they can be placed anywhere.
App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make apps appear larger to create the perfect experience. In the Lock Screen, it’s possible to choose new widgets instead of the Flashlight and Camera options. Here’s how to customize the iPhone’s Home Screen in iOS 18.
Finally, the Control Center has been redesigned. Users can create new groups of widgets for Home controls, connectivity, and music listening and reorganize the widgets’ locations. The new controls gallery displays the full set of available options, and users can customize how the controls are laid out, including adjusting them to the ideal size and creating entirely new groups. Here’s how to customize the iPhone’s Control Center in iOS 18.
There’s even an over-the-top new interactive flashlight widget. However, with all of these changes, adding a new wallpaper seems more confusing than ever.Photos app gets the biggest update to date
Apple has an ambitious plan for iOS 18’s Photos app. With its redesign, Apple wants to make it easier for users to find and relive special moments. With a single-view display, it offers new collections to help users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums.
Collections can be pinned to keep favorites easily accessible. While there was a new carousel view, Apple removed it during the beta test in favor of a more simplified experience. Apple says that auto-playing content throughout the app brings libraries to life “so past moments can be enjoyed while browsing.”
If you disliked the new look, there’s a way to almost bring back the old design. Here’s how to fix the iOS 18 Photos app.Messages get powerful new features
With iOS 18, Apple is adding even more features to Messages. These are the top new functions:
All-new text effects: You can amplify any letter, word, phrase, or emoji with dynamic, animated appearances
Personalize messages: Users can better express tone by adding formatting like bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough;
Tapbacks: Includes any emoji or sticker;
Schedule messages: Over the iMessage menu, you can schedule a message to send later;
Messages via satellite: When cellular and Wi-Fi connections aren’t available, you can send and receive texts, emojis, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS. Passwords App and new ways to stay safe
Building on the foundation of Keychain, the new Passwords app makes it easy for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes.
In addition, Apple has released new features that let users lock and hide apps. When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system. Users can only unlock it with Face ID and Touch ID. BGR teaches you how to hide and lock iPhone apps in iOS 18.Everything new with Apple Music in iOS 18
Event Tickets with Apple Wallet: The new Tickets in Wallet feature improves event information with venue and parking details, in-seat food delivery, and even recommended playlists from Apple Music. It all depends on the promoter.
Music Haptics: Apple Music has a breakthrough feature coming with iOS 18, but it’s likely not for you. With Music Haptics, Apple brings a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music on iPhone. The company explains: “With this feature enabled, the Taptic Engine in iPhone plays taps, textures, and refined vibrations to the audio of the music.”
UI tweaks: Apple has tweaked the Shuffle, Repeat, and Autoplay icons with bigger buttons.
You can learn more about Apple Music features in iOS 18 here.RCS is here
Last year, Apple announced that RCS messaging support would come in 2024. With iOS 18 now available, Cupertino brings RCS-supported texts, better integration on group messages, high-quality photos and videos, and more between iPhone and Android. However, if you don’t see RCS support on your device, you must wait for an update from your carrier.
Still, features like memoji, stickers, edit, and unsend messages will continue to be iMessage-exclusive. You can have a first look at RCS texting here.
Additional iOS 18 features
There’s even more Apple available with iOS 18, including:
In Apple Maps, users can browse thousands of hikes across national parks in the United States and easily create their own custom walking routes, which they can access offline;
Game Mode enhances the gaming experience with more consistent frame rates, especially during long play sessions;
SharePlay with Apple Music allows even more users to share control of music playing from HomePod, Apple TV, or any Bluetooth-enabled speaker, making listening together more fun and engaging;
iPhone Mirror: You can control your iPhone on a Mac running macOS Sequoia; it’s possible to follow notifications, and even drag and drop content;
In the Notes app, formulas and equations entered while typing are solved instantly with Math Notes; you can learn more about the new Notes app here;
In Journal, an all-new insights view helps users keep track of their journaling goals, and the ability to search and sort entries makes it easy to enjoy past memories.
