Some iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11 and macOS Sequoia features will not be immediately available in the first version of the software. These will only be available in a subsequent software update later this year, for example iOS 18.1. This often happens when a new version is launched.
Waiting for the new features doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Unlike other manufacturers, Apple will only make new features public when they work as they should. A bad experience with a feature can hurt the iOS user experience. Something Apple will always try to avoid as much as possible, but does not always succeed.
This year there are some features that will only be available later. For example, the innovations in Mail, dragging between iPhone and Mac, new emojis and the official version of Apple Intelligence are not expected until later this year.
iOS 18 features that have been delayed
Below is an overview of all the new iPadOS 18 and iOS 18 features that will not be available from day one or are product dependent.
1. Automations in Mail app
Later this year, Mail for iPhone and iPad will get new options to keep your inbox in order. Your incoming emails are categorized and sorted on your device, so that private emails and urgent emails end up in a separate Primary category.
Confirmations and payment receipts will appear in the Transactions category, and marketing emails and discount coupons can be found under Promotions. Mail also includes a new summary view, which shows all relevant emails from a specific company. This allows you to quickly scan whether there is anything that you need to do something with. Unfortunately, this feature will only be in English at the start.
2. Support for robot vacuum cleaners
The Home app will also receive support for robot vacuum cleaners in a later update. Functions such as power control, cleaning mode, vacuuming, mopping and charging status are supported. The devices can also be included in automations and scenes and respond to Siri requests. So you can add them to your cleaning routines, or tell Siri to clean a specific location in the living room.
3. View electricity consumption in the Home app
Later this year, US residents will have the option to link a utility account in the Home app, making it easy to find your current power consumption in the new Energy category. The feature will only be available in the United States for the time being and is limited to customers of the Pacific Gas & Electric Company. It is unknown whether this function will also become available in the Netherlands later.
4. Dragging files in iPhone Mirroring
macOS Sequoia makes Continuity even more versatile with iPhone Synchronous Display. This gives you full access to your iPhone on your Mac and you can also control it from your Mac. You’ll see your wallpaper and icons exactly as they appear on your iPhone, swipe through the different pages of the Home screen, and also use your favorite apps.
You operate your iPhone with your Mac’s keyboard, trackpad and mouse, and the audio also comes from the Mac speakers. Plus, your iPhone is locked all this time, so no one sees what you’re doing. If you receive a notification on your iPhone, you can respond directly from your Mac.
The above iPhone Mirroring options will work with the launch of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. Later this year, the option to drag and drop files and items between your iPhone and Mac will also be available.
5. Mac Virtual Display Extension for Vision Pro
Later this year, Mac Virtual Display for the Vision Pro will have a higher resolution and a larger size. This is currently limited to the resolution of your Mac, but later this year this will be drastically expanded under visionOS 2 and macOS Sequoia. This gives you virtual access to two 4K monitors next to each other. Ideal if you use Apple Vision Pro for work.
6. Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence is a personal intelligence system for Mac, iPhone and iPad that combines the power of generative models with the user’s individual context, resulting in AI that is both useful and relevant.
although Apple Intelligence is part of iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, the AI features won’t be officially released until next year in English (US) being added. For example, Apple indicates that some functions will not be available immediately.
In addition, Apple Intelligence will initially be added in beta when the new software updates launch this fall. It is unknown when Apple’s AI tools will be available in Dutch.
Do you want to know what AI features you can expect on your iPhone, iPad and Mac? Then view our extensive explanation of Apple Intelligence and discover what innovations await you.