Apple has overhauled the Settings application for iPhone and iPad. Starting with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you will notice that items are in a different place and a new look is used.
The new interface looks cleaner, with more space for important items and submenus. Although most settings are in the same place, it looks quite new overall and will take some getting used to for all iPhone and iPad users. Apple has also made minor adjustments to System Preferences for macOS Sequoia.
Table of contents
Settings app updated
In iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple has given the Settings app a redesigned interface. It’s not a radical change like the move from System Preferences to System Settings on the Mac, but it will take some getting used to for most users.
Settings is mostly cleaned up and the list is a lot shorter and more compact. Apple has also given some items a more prominent place at the top of the list. For example, you have direct access to the Battery settings.
The Notifications, Sounds, Focus and Screen Time sections have been moved down a block, giving you immediate access to sections such as: General, Wallpaper, Display, Camera, etc.
Most important at the top
In general, you can say that Apple has tried to sort the parts so that you can find them more easily, and places important parts at the top.
Some choices are quite striking. For example, ‘Control Panel’ is quite high up on the list, with only one setting behind it. This is because the Control Panel must now be changed from the panel itself.
Explanation for settings
When you open some settings, you will see a short explanation of the setting at the top. If you open ‘General’, you can read what you can find in this section. This is also the case with ‘Privacy and Security’, ‘Face ID and access code’, ‘Screen time’, etc.
These pages also feature larger icons in the list, including explanations of what a particular setting does. This makes it easier to understand what all the settings are for.
Apple ID becomes Apple Account
Another small change in the Settings app can be found at the top of the list. It now shows ‘Apple Account’ under your name and no longer Apple ID. The company has decided to replace the term ‘Apple ID’ with ‘Apple Account’.
Suggestions in search
Swiping down the list of settings will activate the search field. Tapping this will allow you to search for the setting you want. Starting with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, the app will show suggestions based on previous searches or times of day. You can also find your recent searches here so you can quickly refer to them again.
Passwords disappeared
Are you looking for your Passwords? Then you can keep looking for a long time, because they have disappeared from the Settings application for iPhone, iPad and Mac. From the new software updates you can find your login details and more in the separate Passwords app.
Settings for apps
Apple was able to keep the list for the Settings app so short because they decided to put the sections for applications in a new category ‘Apps’. Not only for third-party applications, but also their own apps.
Opening this section will display a list of apps in alphabetical order. You will also have immediate access to a search field to search for an application. You can then consult and manage the settings for this app.
Minor changes for macOS
System Settings for macOS Sequoia has received minor changes. For example, the order of some components has been changed and you will also see suggestions when opening the search function. In addition, macOS now also uses Apple Account and the separate Passwords app, but that’s where it ends. Explanation after opening certain settings is not yet available.