iOS 18 is Apple’s upcoming operating system for its iPhone models. Here is everything we know about this major update.
iOS 18 is Apple‘s upcoming operating system for iPhone models, including the rumored iPhone 16. Previewed during the WWDC 2024 keynote, this future software update offers Apple Intelligence, a Home Screen redesign, and so much more.Release Date
If Apple follows the trend, the iOS 18 release date should be announced after the iPhone 16 event. With the keynote taking place on September 9, it’s possible that this update will be available as soon as September 16.
Recently, Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman said Apple had finished beta testing, as beta 7 and beta 8 won’t differ much. Now that we know when the iPhone 16 event will happen, this means the Release Candidate Version is about to be released.
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 for them. 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.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.”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 coming
Last year, Apple announced that RCS messaging support would be available in 2024. This change will make it easier to group messages, send high-quality photos and videos, share their location, and more with RCS-supported texts, which means communication between iPhone and Android users over text will be easier.
Still, features like memoji, stickers, edit, and unsend messages will continue to be iMessage-exclusive.
