Apple has released iOS 18! It’s the biggest update of the year, bringing a bunch of new features to your iPhone. Here they are!
iOS 18 is out!
Update now! The official version of iOS 18 is available for all iPhones. The software version brings many changes to your iPhone, such as the Control Panel and Home screen that you can customize to your own preferences. And that’s not all, because the Photos and Messages apps also get new functions. Are you curious about all the changes? We list the seven most important features for you!
Overview
1. Customize Home Screen
Apple gives users much more freedom in iOS 18 when setting up the home screen of the iPhone. You decide where to place apps, they no longer have to be next to each other. The icons of the apps can also be adjusted, because you can change the colors of all applications and enable a dark mode. The icons also get a large mode, so that you no longer see the text of the apps. Read more about the home screen in iOS 18 here.
2. New Control Panel Layout
With iOS 18, the Control Center gains more functions. In the new iOS version, you decide which controls you add and where you place all the shortcuts. In iOS 17 (and earlier), these still had a fixed place, but Apple is introducing a change with iOS 18. In addition, the Control Center gains multiple windows, so that you have enough space to add buttons. See here how to customize the Control Center.
3. iMessage gets more features
Apple is expanding iMessage in iOS 18 with a number of useful features. You can respond directly to messages with all emoji, add more text effects and format words in multiple ways. For example, it is finally possible to send italic or strikethrough sentences and words. In addition, from iOS 18 you can schedule messages to send later and iMessage gets support for RCS. You can now also use iMessage to communicate with Android users.
4. Photos app gets a makeover
One of the biggest changes in iOS 18 is the redesign of the Photos app. According to Apple, the app has received its biggest update ever in iOS 18. You can now find all albums, collections and memories in a different place in the photo library. Do you need some time to get used to the new layout? Don’t worry, because you can change the order of all the items in the Photos app to your own preference.
5. Secure apps with Face ID
Do you find the privacy and security of your iPhone very important? iOS 18 adds a handy feature for that, because you can secure all apps with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. A secured application must first be unlocked before use. Do you want an app to be completely invisible? Then Apple gives you the option to hide the application from iOS 18. Hidden apps are moved to a separate folder, which is also secured with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
6. Password app
Apple is making it much easier to find and enter your passwords in apps or websites in iOS 18. With iOS 18, a special Passwords app is coming to your iPhone. In this app, you can add passwords and verification codes, so that they can be automatically filled in on your iPhone, iPad and Mac. You don’t have to worry about the security of the Passwords app, because it is locked by default with Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode.
7. Hide items in Safari
In iOS 18, Apple is adding an important feature to Safari. Hide Distractions gives you the ability to temporarily remove parts of a website. For example, distracting ads or cookie notifications can be hidden on Safari. It’s temporary, so when you visit the web page again, the hidden parts will reappear. The feature is also available in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.
8. More new features (but no Apple Intelligence)
Unfortunately, Apple is not releasing all iOS 18 features right away. We will have to wait even longer for Apple Intelligence, which will only be available for the iPhone with iOS 18.1 and later. Some features will not even be available until next year, according to Apple this has to do with European legislation. The same applies to iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, these updates will also have to do without Apple Intelligence.
Fortunately, there are plenty of features that are available right away with iOS 18. Apple is making minor changes to Maps and new accessibility features are available. Apple is also improving Game Mode and the AirPods Pro 2 are getting many more features with iOS 18. Curious about which features are delayed? Read here which features Apple was unable to finish in time for the release of iOS 18.
Install iOS 18
Apple released iOS 18 on Monday, September 16, so it is now possible to install the update on your iPhone. You can find iOS 18 under ‘Settings > General > Software Update’. If you don’t see the new software version yet, wait a little longer, because Apple is releasing the update gradually. This means that the latest iOS version will not appear at the same time for all users.
In addition to iOS 18, Apple also released iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, HomePodOS 18, visionOS 2, and an update for the AirPods Pro 2. So be sure to check all of your Apple devices, because there’s a good chance you can also update your iPad, Apple Watch, Mac(Book), Apple TV, HomePod, or AirPods!
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