Apple has unveiled iOS 18, bringing exciting features and enhancements to customize your iPhone like never before.
Whether you want to stay connected with friends and family, relive favorite moments, or experience the magic of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 has it all.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key features, updates, and everything you need to know about iOS 18.
Customization
Rearrange Apps and Widgets
iOS 18 allows you to personalize your Home Screen layout. You can rearrange apps and widgets to suit your preferences, making it easier to access your favorite tools and apps.
New Look for App Icons
App icons and widgets now have a sleeker Dark look. You can tint them with any color or let iOS suggest a color that complements your wallpaper. Additionally, you can make apps and widgets appear larger for better visibility.
Control Center Update
The Control Center in iOS 18 has been redesigned. It features new groups of controls, which you can access with a single, continuous swipe down on the Home Screen. The Controls gallery displays all your options in one place, including new controls from your favorite apps.
Photos
Biggest Redesign Ever
iOS 18 brings the biggest redesign ever to the Photos app. Your entire library is now organized just for you, making it easier to find and relive your favorite moments.
Messages
New Ways to Play with Text
In Messages, you can now apply bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough to your text. You can also add playful, animated effects to any letter, word, phrase, or emoji in iMessage. Many of these effects are automatically suggested as you type.
Support for RCS Messaging
RCS (Rich Communication Services) messages are now supported. This means richer media, delivery, and read receipts for those who don’t use iMessage.
Wallet
Introducing Tap to Cash
With iOS 18, Apple introduces Tap to Cash, a new feature in the Wallet app. Simply bring two iPhone devices together to pay privately and securely. This makes peer-to-peer payments easier and more convenient than ever.
Passwords App
All Your Credentials in One Place
The Passwords app securely stores all your credentials, including passwords, verifications, and security alerts.
Categorization
Coming later this year, the Mail app will categorize your emails, sorting them out for you automatically.
Safari
Introducing Highlights
Safari will now automatically detect relevant information on a page and highlight it as you browse. This includes directions and quick links to learn more about people, music, movies, and TV shows.
Smarter, Redesigned Reader
The Reader feature in Safari now includes a table of contents and a high-level summary, so you can get the gist of an article before diving in.
Passwords App
All Your Credentials in One Place
The Passwords app securely stores all your credentials, including passwords, verifications, and security alerts.
Maps
Topographic Maps and Trail Networks
iOS 18 introduces topographic maps and trail networks. You can download these maps to access offline, browse thousands of hikes, and save them to your device along with any notes you want to add.
Custom Walking and Hiking Routes
Create custom walking and hiking routes to suit your preferences.
Game Mode
Maximize Gameplay Performance
Game Mode minimizes background activity to sustain consistently high frame rates for hours of continuous gameplay. It also reduces audio latency with AirPods and makes wireless game controllers incredibly responsive.
Notes
Live Audio Transcription
Record audio sessions within your notes and generate live audio transcriptions. You can search through these transcriptions or combine them with other comments, checklists, or documents.
Crunch Numbers Right in Your Note
Enter an expression in a note and have it solved instantly while typing.
Journal
Journaling for Wellbeing
The Journal app helps you log your state of mind. You can automatically add the time spent journaling as mindful minutes in the Health app. Track your goals with insights view, which shows your writing streaks, a calendar with existing entries, and other stats.
Apple TV App
InSight Feature
The new InSight feature in the Apple TV app provides information about actors and music as it plays onscreen. It is also available when using your iPhone as a remote control for Apple TV 4K.
Home App
Guest Access
Manage how and when people can enter your home with guest access. You can control access to garage openers, alarm systems, and door locks, specifying the times when guests can enter.
Hands-Free Unlock
Unlock doors as you approach, simply by carrying your iPhone in a bag or pocket or wearing an Apple Watch.
Privacy and Security
Control How You Share Contacts with Apps
Decide which contacts to share with an app, rather than giving it access to all your contacts. You can give the app access only to those you message and call most.
Redesigned Privacy and Security Settings
The improved Privacy and Security settings menu makes it easier to manage how much information you’re sharing with apps.
Emergency SOS Live Video
Share streaming video and recorded media during emergency calls. During a call, participating emergency dispatchers can request to share live video or photos over a secure connection, making it easier and faster to get the help you need.
Compatibility
Supported Devices
iOS 18 is compatible with the following devices:
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
Tables for Quick Reference
Customization Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Rearrange Apps and Widgets | Personalize Home Screen layout |
| New Look for App Icons | Sleeker Dark look, customizable colors, larger icons |
| Control Center Update | Redesigned, continuous swipe access |
Key App Updates
| App | New Features |
|---|---|
| Photos | Entire library organized for you |
| Messages | Bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, animated effects |
| Automatic categorization (coming later this year) | |
| Safari | Highlights, smarter Reader |
| Passwords | Secure storage for all credentials |
| Maps | Topographic maps, trail networks, custom routes |
| Notes | Live audio transcription, instant calculations |
| Journal | Log state of mind, track goals with insights view |
| Apple TV | InSight feature for more info about actors and music |
| Home | Guest access, hands-free unlock |
Privacy and Security Enhancements
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Contact Sharing Control | Select specific contacts to share with apps |
| Redesigned Settings | Easier management of shared information |
| Emergency SOS Live Video | Share live video and photos during emergency calls |
FAQ
What is the biggest change in iOS 18?
The biggest change in iOS 18 is the enhanced customization options, including a redesigned Control Center, new looks for app icons, and the ability to rearrange apps and widgets on the Home Screen.
How does iOS 18 improve the Photos app?
iOS 18 brings the biggest redesign ever to the Photos app, organizing your entire library to make it easier to find and relive your favorite moments.
What new features are available in Messages?
Messages now support bold, italics, underline, strikethrough, and animated text effects. It also supports RCS messaging for richer media and delivery and read receipts.
How has Safari been updated?
Safari now includes Highlights that detect and display relevant information on a page. The Reader feature has also been redesigned with a table of contents and high-level summary.
What is the new Game Mode in iOS 18?
Game Mode minimizes background activity to maintain high frame rates and reduces audio latency with AirPods. It also improves the responsiveness of wireless game controllers.
How does iOS 18 enhance privacy and security?
iOS 18 allows you to control which contacts you share with apps and includes a redesigned Privacy and Security settings menu. It also supports sharing live video and photos during emergency calls.
Which devices are compatible with iOS 18?
iOS 18 is compatible with iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS series, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE (2nd generation or later).
Conclusion
iOS 18 is a significant update that enhances the iPhone experience with new customization options, app updates, and privacy features. Whether you’re looking to personalize your device, stay connected, or ensure your data’s security, iOS 18 has something for everyone. Upgrade to iOS 18 and explore the new possibilities it brings to your iPhone.
