Apple's latest iPhone operating system, iOS 18, brings a host of new features and improvements to iPhones new and old. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and the company is expected to release it sometime on Monday, September 16, likely at around 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time/1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on the official release day, based on past releases.
Here are 20 notable additions that should enhance your iPhone experience once the over-the-air update becomes available for you to download and install on your device. In the meantime, to check if the update is available, go to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update, and wait a moment for your device to contact Apple's servers. If you're in no rush, you can wait for iOS 18 to be delivered to your iPhone when you next plug it into your computer.
- Customizable Home Screen: You can now place app icons and widgets anywhere on the Home Screen, including along the bottom or sides. This allows for more personalized layouts and easier access to your most-used apps and information.
- Redesigned Control Center: The Control Center has been revamped with customizable groups of controls and support for third-party app controls. You can now organize your most-used settings and actions in a way that makes sense for your workflow.
- Improved Photos App: The Photos app receives a major design update, featuring automatically organized collections and new viewing options. New AI-powered features help you find and relive your favorite moments more easily.
- Dynamic Text Effects in Messages: You can add animated effects to words or phrases in iMessage conversations. These effects, such as "explode" or "ripple," add a fun and expressive element to your chats.
- RCS Support: iPhone now supports Rich Communication Services (RCS), enabling better messaging with non-iPhone users. This means improved media sharing, read receipts, and typing indicators when texting Android users.
- Advanced Mail Categories: The Mail app now organizes your emails into categories like Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. This intelligent sorting helps you focus on important messages and manage your inbox more efficiently.
- Safari Highlights: Safari can now provide summaries and additional information about web pages you're viewing. This feature helps you quickly grasp the main points of an article or get key details about a location or person mentioned on a webpage.
- New Passwords App: A dedicated Passwords app centralizes management of your passwords, passkeys, and Wi-Fi credentials. This makes it easier to view, edit, and share your login information securely across your Apple devices.
- Enhanced Maps for Hiking: Apple Maps now includes topographic maps, hiking trails, and the ability to create custom walking routes. You can also download trail information for offline use, ensuring you stay on track even without cell service.
- Game Mode: A new mode optimizes iPhone performance for a more immersive gaming experience. It prioritizes system resources for gaming, reduces background processes, and enhances compatibility with game controllers.
- Installment Payments with Apple Pay: You can access installment financing options when checking out with Apple Pay online and in apps. This feature allows for more flexible payment options directly at the point of purchase, without requiring additional apps or services.
- AirPods Improvements: New features include the ability to respond to Siri with head gestures and enhanced audio quality for gaming. The spatial audio experience has also been improved for a more immersive sound environment.
- Audio Recording in Notes: You can now record audio directly within notes and get live transcriptions. This feature is perfect for capturing lectures, meetings, or your own thoughts, with the added benefit of searchable text.
- Journal App: A new journaling app helps you track your thoughts and experiences over time. It offers prompts, the ability to include photos and location data, and uses on-device intelligence to suggest topics based on your daily activities.
- InSight for Apple TV+: This feature provides real-time actor and music information while you're watching Apple TV+ content. You can easily learn more about the cast or add songs from the soundtrack to your Apple Music library.
- Eye Tracking Navigation: You can now navigate your iPhone using just your eyes, without additional hardware. This accessibility feature opens up new possibilities for users with limited mobility.
- Live Voicemail Transcription: The Phone app now offers live transcription of voicemail messages as they're being left. This allows you to screen calls more effectively and quickly assess the importance of a message without listening to it.
- Improved Calculator: The Calculator app now includes a Math Notes feature for more complex calculations and graphing. You can save and share your calculations, making it a more powerful tool for students and professionals alike.
- Hands-Free Unlock for Home: You can unlock your home door as you approach, without taking your iPhone out. This feature uses ultra-wideband technology for secure and convenient access to your smart home.
- Music Haptics: Your iPhone can now match haptic feedback to the rhythm of songs in Apple Music, enhancing the experience if you're deaf or hard of hearing. This feature adds a new dimension to music enjoyment, making it more inclusive for all users.
Apple Intelligence Features
While iOS 18 brings numerous improvements at launch, Apple has also announced several AI-powered features under the banner of Apple Intelligence, which will be released in future updates.
Among these upcoming additions is an AI-powered writing assistant that can help you rewrite text in different styles, proofread your writing, and generate summaries of longer content. A new Image Playground app will allow you to create and edit AI-generated images based on text descriptions or existing photos.
Siri is set to receive a significant upgrade, gaining the ability to understand personal context from your emails, messages, and photos, providing more accurate and personalized responses. Additionally, Apple plans to introduce AI-powered features in the Photos app, including a "Clean Up" tool to remove unwanted elements from your pictures.
The first set of these Apple Intelligence features, while not available in the initial version of iOS 18, should arrive when iOS 18.1 is released in October, with a roll out continuing in iOS 18.2 in December, and beyond.
