iOS 18 Features and Release Updates

Did you know iOS 18 will change how you use your iPhone? It will let you customize your Home Screen and redesign the Photos app. This is the biggest update for photo organization and search¹². It will be released on September 16, bringing big improvements for how you use your device³.

This update works with many iPhone models, like the iPhone XR and iPhone 14 Pro Max. It also adds new features like better Messages app, RCS messaging, and more³.

Key Takeaways

• iOS 18 lets you rearrange apps and widgets on the Home Screen in new ways. This makes your layout personal¹.
• The new Photos app makes finding and organizing photos easy¹².
• With satellite messaging, you can stay connected without Wi-Fi or cellular. This works on iPhone devices from iPhone 14¹.
• The update has a new Passwords app. It stores your passwords safely with end-to-end encryption and filters¹³.
• Game Mode makes games better by improving how fast your device responds. It also doubles the Bluetooth polling rate¹².

Home Screen Customization

iOS 18 brings new features for Home Screen customization. Now, users can make their devices truly their own. They can arrange apps, widgets, and themes in ways that suit their style.

Personalized Layout

iOS 18 lets users create a layout that’s all their own. They can place apps and widgets anywhere on the Home Screen. This makes the screen look unique and personal.

Users can even put a single app in the middle of the screen. They can make rows or columns. This gives them a lot of freedom in organizing their screen⁴⁵.

They can also remove app names or change icon colors. This adds even more to the personal touch⁶.

Rearrange Apps and Widgets

iOS 18 makes it easy to move apps and widgets around. Users can resize widgets right from the Home Screen. This gives them more ways to customize their screen⁴.

This feature helps manage the screen better. It makes the Home Screen look good and work well⁵.

Home Screen Tints and Themes

iOS 18 introduces Home Screen tints and themes. Users can change all icons to match their wallpaper. This creates a unified look⁴.

There’s also dark mode for app icons. This saves battery and makes the screen look cool⁶. The customization options in iOS 18 make the screen both personal and pretty.

Larger Icons and Widgets

iOS 18 makes icons and widgets bigger. This is great for those who like a more open look. By tapping “Large” under icon settings, users can make icons bigger and remove labels⁶.

New widgets like Health and Journal add function while looking good. They make the screen more useful and nice to look at⁴.

Improved Messages App

The Messages app in iOS 18 has gotten a big update. It now has cool new features like text effects, Tapbacks, and scheduled messages. These changes show Apple’s dedication to making messaging better for everyone.

Text Effects

Text effects iOS 18 is a big deal. You can make your messages pop with Big, Small, Shake, and Nod styles⁷⁸. You can also make text bold, italic, underline, or strikethrough to highlight important stuff⁷⁹. Plus, emojis are bigger when you send just one, making messages more fun⁷.

Expanded Tapbacks

Tapbacks in iOS 18 are more fun now. You can reply with any emoji or sticker, making messages more personal⁸⁹. Tapbacks also have color icons with shading, making messages look better⁹.

Scheduled Messages

The Send Later feature lets you schedule messages up to 14 days ahead. It’s great for reminders and urgent messages⁷. This way, you can send messages when it’s best, adding more control to messaging.

Satellite Messaging

iOS 18 brings satellite messaging to iPhone 14 or later. You can send texts, emojis, and Tapbacks even without cell or Wi-Fi⁹. Apple gives two free years of satellite access with every iPhone 14⁷. This is super helpful for those in remote areas.

RCS Support

Apple now supports RCS in the Messages app, making messaging better across platforms. You can send higher quality photos, bigger files, and get read receipts⁷⁸. RCS also means better group chats and more security, showing Apple cares about your safety and messaging experience⁹.

Redesigned Photos App

Apple’s iOS 18 brings a new Photos app. It’s easier to use and looks great. You can see about 30 photos at once¹⁰. It handles over 3 trillion images and videos every year¹¹.

Unified Layout

The unified layout makes the app simple. It has an icon with two arrows for filters¹⁰. You can find your photos fast, like recent edits or videos.

The Utilities Collection has lots of options. You can find Hidden, Recently Deleted, and more¹⁰. It helps organize your photos better¹⁰.

Collections

Collections group photos by theme, like pets or kids¹¹. You can make Memory Movies with text prompts¹⁰. It’s easy to find and share your favorite photos¹⁰.

The Shared Albums feature lets you share photos with others¹⁰. It’s great for sharing memories together¹⁰.

Enhanced Search Functionality

The new Photos app has better search. You can find photos with phrases like “Me with food”¹⁰. It’s easy to find what you need from your photos¹⁰.

It also keeps your photos safe. Only certain apps can see your photos¹¹. Your privacy is protected while you share¹¹.

Advanced Control Center

The iOS 18 Control Center brings big changes. It lets you customize your device in new ways. You can arrange buttons and icons in an 8×4 grid¹².

It has many pages by default. You can add or remove pages. You can swipe up and down or tap on icons to move between pages¹².

New controls for smart home devices use up to 24 spaces. Volume and brightness controls take two spaces. This makes everything work well together¹².

Now, you can have up to 15 screens for controls. This makes your device easier to use. It’s all about making things personal for you¹².

The music widget is also new. It shows album art and is fun to use¹³.

Managing Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Airplane mode is easier now. This makes using your device simpler¹³.

Third-party apps can also be added. This gives you quick access to app controls without opening the app¹³.

This customizable iOS 18 Control Center lets you make your device your own. You can resize buttons and move widgets around. It’s all about making things your way¹³.

Passwords App Integration

Apple’s new iOS 18 brings a better way to manage passwords with the Passwords app. It saves and fills in passwords and passkeys. It works on many devices, showing Apple’s dedication to safety and ease¹⁴. The app uses strong encryption to keep your data safe.

The app shows Apple’s focus on keeping your data safe. It alerts you to possible data breaches and weak passwords. It also lets you see how apps use your data, giving you more control¹⁴.

The Passwords app iOS 18 lets you pick who can see your contacts. It has special safety features for kids, like needing a password for certain content¹⁴. You can also choose who sees your contacts, keeping your info safe¹⁵.

It has cool features like Locked Apps and Hidden Apps. These keep your data safe and private¹⁴. Apple is all about keeping your info safe and private.

The Passwords app iOS 18 is available in beta since July¹⁵. It will be fully released on September 16¹⁴. Apple wants to make the internet safer for everyone.

Enhanced Safari Experience

Safari got a big update with iOS 18. It makes using the web easier and faster. Now, users can surf the internet with more ease.

Highlights Feature

The Highlights feature uses smart tech to find important info fast. It helps users find what they need quickly. This makes browsing the web much better.

Distraction Control

The Distraction Control feature helps you stay focused. It removes things that get in the way. This makes your Safari experience smoother and cleaner.

There are also new looks for the toolbar and Reader mode. These changes make Safari easier to use. The Enhanced Reader View Mode has a table of contents and summaries. It helps you understand articles better, but only in certain countries.

New and Improved Apple Wallet

With iOS 18, Apple makes the Wallet app better. It now has Tap to Cash for easy payments. Just touch devices to send or get Apple Cash¹⁶.

The app also shows rewards and installment plans. You can use Apple Pay to get points and balances. This makes using rewards easier¹⁶. You can also manage payments, making things more convenient¹⁷.

Apple Wallet now has new tickets. They have event guides and tips. This makes using the app better¹⁸.

Tap to Cash

The Tap to Cash feature in iOS 18 makes payments easy. Just bring devices close, like AirDrop. It’s fast and easy¹⁶.

Rewards and Installments

The new Apple Wallet shows rewards and points balances. You can use Apple Pay to get them right away. This makes using rewards simple¹⁶.

The app also lets you manage payments. You can use services like Affirm and Monzo Flex. This helps you handle purchases better¹⁷. It’s all about making things easy for you.

Game Mode for Better Gaming Performance

Gaming on iOS 18 gets a big boost with Game Mode. It’s made for the best gaming experience. It was announced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC).

This feature makes games run better by giving them more power. It also stops other tasks from slowing things down. It’s like the Game Mode on macOS Sonoma¹⁹²⁰.

Now, games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil Village run smoother²⁰.

Improved Performance

Game Mode makes games run better by using more power. This means less lag and better playtime¹⁹. Games will feel smoother, especially with big titles.

Starting a game turns on Game Mode right away. You’ll get a quick notice¹⁹. The iPhone 15 also shows off its graphics with game demos²⁰.

Responsive Controls and Audio

Game Mode also makes controls and audio better. It cuts down on delays with AirPods and game controllers¹⁹. This means a more immersive gaming experience.

It works with Spatial Audio, a new tech for games²⁰. Need for Speed: Mobile is the first game to use it²⁰. Capcom is bringing Resident Evil 7 to Apple devices, showing off Game Mode’s power¹⁹.

Source Links

1. https://www.apple.com/ios/ios-18/ – iOS 18
2. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/09/ios-18-is-available-today-making-iphone-more-personal-and-capable-than-ever/ – iOS 18 is available today, making iPhone more personal and capable than ever
3. https://9to5mac.com/2024/09/16/ios-18-new-features-now-available/ – iOS 18 is here, and it’s Apple’s most personal iPhone update yet – 9to5Mac
4. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-home-screen/ – Rainbow Time and Other New Lock Screen Widget Options
5. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/09/16/apple-releases-ios-18/ – iOS 18 Available Today With These 8 New Features For Your iPhone
6. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/how-to-customize-your-iphones-home-screen-in-the-ios-18-beta/ – How to Customize Your iPhone’s Home Screen in iOS 18
7. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-messages/ – Updated Design
8. https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/06/ios-18-makes-iphone-more-personal-capable-and-intelligent-than-ever/ – iOS 18 makes iPhone more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever
9. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-brings-new-sizzle-to-your-iphone-messages/ – iOS 18 Brings New Sizzle to Your iPhone Messages
10. https://www.macrumors.com/guide/ios-18-photos/ – Filters and Sorting
11. https://www.tomsguide.com/phones/iphones/apple-explains-the-photos-app-redesign-what-they-think-you-want – iOS 18 Photos — Apple explains the biggest redesign in years
12. https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/everything-new-with-the-ios-18-control-center.2431099/ – Everything New With the iOS 18 Control Center
13. https://www.simplymac.com/ios/ios-18-control-center-multiple-pages – iOS 18 Control Center Will Have A Redesigned Interface, Multiple Pages – SimplyMac
14. https://www.ipvanish.com/blog/ios-18-privacy-features/ – New iOS 18 Privacy & Security Features You Need to Know | IPVanish
15. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/16/biggest-new-apple-ios-18-iphone-apps-features-to-protect-your-privacy.html – Apple iOS 18 update is live: These are the most important new iPhone security features to protect your private life
16. https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/ios-18-is-here-and-it-brings-these-new-features-to-your-iphone/ – iOS 18 Is Here and It Brings These New Features to Your iPhone
17. https://www.apple.com/cm/newsroom/2024/09/ios-18-is-available-today-making-iphone-more-personal-and-capable-than-ever/ – iOS 18 is available today, making iPhone more personal and capable than ever
18. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2024/09/16/ios-18-apples-biggest-iphone-release-is-here-with-dozens-of-upgrades/ – iOS 18: Apple’s Biggest iPhone Release Is Here With Scores Of Upgrades
19. https://www.macrumors.com/2024/06/13/ios-18-game-mode-faster-iphone/ – iOS 18 Available Today With These 8 New Features For Your iPhone
20. https://www.pocketgamer.biz/what-apples-ios-18-game-mode-means-for-your-games/ – What Apple’s iOS 18 Game Mode means for your games