Apple has released iOS 18.4 and if you have installed that update, you can immediately try out the new functions from these iPhone tips!
iPhone tips: 3 new iOS 18.4 functions
Although iOS 18.4 brings more new functions to your iPhone, some of those functions are only possible if you have Apple Intelligence. In the article Apple Intelligence is available in the Netherlands: This way you can read it in how you can use it now. You can also try out the functions in these iPhone tips without Apple Intelligence!
1. This is how you use the new function background music
If you have installed iOS 18.4 you can play soothing background music (Ambient Music) via the control panel. In addition, you have the choice of four categories:
- Well -being (Wellbeing)
- Sleep (Sleep)
- Relaxed (chill)
- Productivity (productivity)
The first time you have to add the desired buttons to the control panel. If you have done that, you can also place the buttons on the lock screen, for example so that you can quickly turn the background music on and off. Add the buttons to the control panel as follows:
- Open the control panel (wipe down from the top right down);
- Tap at the top left of the plus sign;
- Tap down ‘Add a controller’;
- Choose one of the four buttons under ‘background music’;
If you tap the button now, a playlist appears. When you tap that, you can see that you can choose from four different playlists. So make your choice.
If you open the control panel from now on, the new button for background music is there. You just have to tap to start the music. If the music is played, you will also see that in the Dynamic Island. Tap it to open the music player, who looks more or less like the Apple Music player. Of course you can also stream the background music via AirPlay.
2. Handy new functions of the photos app
The photos app has received a number of useful new functions with the arrival of iOS 18.4. To start with collection categories ‘MediaTypen’ and ‘Other’. If you do not see one of the two, first tap ‘adjust and change order’ downstairs and then check them.
When you tap the name ‘MediaTypen’ or ‘other’, a list appears from which you can adjust the order yourself by tapping ‘Change’ at the top right. It is advisable to put the parts that you probably use most often at the top. If you are not satisfied with your changes, you can always tap ‘Tap again’ again at the top left.
Another new function in the photos app is ‘main photo’. Tap the name ‘Albums’ and then at the top right of the three dots. By default is the ‘list display’ option, but you can now turn it into ‘main photo’. Albums are then no longer shown with one small photo, but with one large photo and three small ones. So you see four photos at a glance that are in the folder, so you know faster whether it is the right folder or not.
Finally, you now have more options for filtering your photos. When you scroll through, you see an icon with an arrow up and down an arrow down. If you tap that, all options that are available will appear. Among other things, the option ‘Not in an album’ is new.
3. Switch out recent searches in Safari
Finally, there is a new function in Safari. This ensures that recent searches in Safari are not so much removed, but hidden. That gives you more privacy that is a fixed welcome when other people also use your iPhone. You set the option as follows:
- Open the app settings;
- Tap ‘Apps’ all the way down;
- Scroll to the ‘S’ and tap ‘Safari’;
- Switch off the ‘Show recent searches’ option.
More iPhone tips?
Did you like these iPhone tips and do you want more? On iPhoned Read useful tips and tricks for your iPhone every week. Check the most recent tips below!
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