On September 16,Apple launched the newfangled iOS 18 update for the iPhone , and while the company always says it ’s the biggest update ever , this class , that ’s true . So many new iOS 18 features will delight you , but many of these are also profound changes to how you utilise your iPhone .
I ’ve been usingiOS 18 in beta for months and love many of the newfangled features . They ’ve suspire new life into myiPhone 15 Pro Maxand will do the same forall iPhones that defend the update .
Such a openhanded update may be daunting , but if you ’ve been on the fencing about add the update , there are many features that you ’re missing out on . Here are 10 reasons why you should update to iOS 18 flop now .
A whole new home screen experience
The most detectable modification to iOS 18 is theall - fresh home screen experience . Since the first iPhone , apps have been coerce to automatically follow the app before , with Apple prevent you from deliver any gaps on your habitation screen . That ’s all shift in iOS 18 . If you ’ve been jealous of your Android fans who can organize app icons around their wallpaper , the wait is over .
Io 18 allow you to move apps around and come out them wherever you want on the home blind . The restriction have little refinement , but for the most part , you have the exemption to arrange everything as you wish . There ’s still no app drawer , but the App Library still exists to the right hand of your home screen , and there are some welcome improvements there as well .
Alongside the changes to home screen layouts , you could also at last customize the size of it of widgets on the fly thanks to Modern handlebars that make it easy to resize from an app icon to the big size .
If you ’ve been hold back for the ability to make your iPhone truly yours , not just in layout , iOS 18 is deserving raise to . Every app and thingumajig can now take on a tinge look , so they wait incredible in dark modality . you’re able to also change the shade to match your wallpaper ’s colors perfectly . iOS 18 insure every iPhone can be unique , and the habitation filmdom improvement are revolutionary for all iPhone exploiter .
Hiding apps is easier than ever
When ’s the last metre you handed someone your phone — whether to read a subject matter , look at mapping , or see a particular photo — and had that fleeting terror that they might also see something they should n’t ? Whether it ’s a individual pic , a specific content , or the apps that are your shamed delight , we all have things we require to keep private . gratefully , iOS 18 finally allow you to guarantee that someone only sees what you desire them to .
Now , you could lock any app so that it requires you to authenticate — whether via face up ID or Touch ID if you ’re using an iPad or older iPhone — for someone to get at the app . Sometimes , that ’s not enough , and if you have specific apps that you desire to completely enshroud , you could hide them in a new individual folderin the App Library .
To get to the app , you ’ll always need to navigate to the App Library and authenticate yourself , but it ’s a fantastic feature that ensures the thing that matter to you always quell private .
New Control Center customization
iOS 18 is all about customization and personalization , and it is n’t just confine to apps and the place cover . Now , you could completely customize the all - new revamped Control Center . I screw this feature as I have murder all the features that do n’t matter to me — such as home controls — which ensures I have quick access to everything that does .
The grown improvement is that you’re able to not only edit out what ’s in the Control Center ( which was present in late versions of iOS ) but also create multiple control heart that you’re able to abstract through . I ’ve created a freestanding one with a widget that allow quick access code to all my connectivity options , make believe changing Wi - Fi configurations or Bluetooth devices effortless .
Texting with non-iPhone users is much better
We ’ve all been in mathematical group text or charge messages to non - iPhone user and either had poor - quality photos and videos , that annoying text that someone liked your message , or the lack of read revenue .
iOS 18 solves this and arguably adds the biggest reason everyone should advance : RCS messaging . You may have go steady Google ’s petitions to ( aka troll of ) Apple about bring the next propagation of text messaging , and you’re able to finally send prospicient messages or high-pitched - quality photos and TV and see when your non - iPhone friends have take your messages .
They must check to transport read reception for the latter , but RCS completely transforms the non - iMessage experience . Texting a non - iPhone user still appears as a green bubble , so there ’s no result for that just yet . Your common carrier must also be support , but RCS improves everyone ’s message experience .
Helpful (and adorable) iMessage updates
It ’s not just sending subject matter to non - iPhone users that ’s near ; iMessage has also been improved . Now , you may schedule messages and even send precious reactions with any emoji on the keyboard .
Rather than send someone a message that could interrupt them , you could easilyschedule itwhen you think they ’ll be awake . This is the ideal resolution if you want to care someone a happy birthday but do n’t want to stay up or want to schedule a subject matter that you wo n’t be come to turn and do n’t want to ignite up early on .
I ’ve always think Tapbacks and reaction in iMessage were limited , specially the latter . Now , you’re able to use any emoji as a response , not just in iMessage , although if you send it to someone with RCS , they ’ll see a generic thumbs - up emoji . Tapbacks also elevate the messaging experience by letting you revive any text you write with cute impression that can be replay repeatedly and are guaranteed to bring a grinning to the other person ’s face .
Apple’s new Passwords app
Are you using the same password for every online service , writing them down on paper , or carry through them in a text file on your phone or computer ? Stop the right way now ! Online crime is rising rapidly , and everyone should use a countersign manager to make randomise , secure passwords for all their services .
Rather than pay for a agiotage divine service like 1Password , Dashlane , or LastPass , Apple has rolled out an all - new Passwords app in iOS 18 , iPadOS 18 , and macOS Sequoia . This revamp the entire Passwords experience and ascertain you do n’t call for to bear for a premium serve . It will also sync passwords and codification to Windows , iCloud via the web browser , and even the Apple Vision Pro .
Apple has previously used iCloud Keychain to store watchword , but accessing and editing the data has been take exception . The new Passwords app mending this and is an ideal fashion to insure your data point is always safe and secure . You ’ll eventually be able to spell passwords from otherpassword coach apps , but it ’s unclear exactly when Apple will range this feature of speech out .
Lots of changes to the Photos app
Apple Photos is the home of all your memories , but for many years , it ’s watch the same design and menstruum . In iOS 18 , if you provoke up pic , you ’ll find that it feels very familiar but has undergone a substantial transformation . The new Photos app has many features that make it deserving updating your phone .
First , instead of separate tabs and discussion section , you now have a fantastic unified position of all the image you ’ve taken or downloaded . The Photos app will mechanically make relevant assembling that it believe you will enjoy , including those in the For You tab before and any albums you have create .
There are also new filter and sort out alternative to make determine the image you ’re searching for easy . you could easily separate by capture date or just filter images to ones you ’ve taken recently . There ’s also the power to filter by your favorites and thing you ’ve edited ; you’re able to also just see photos or videos or even only see screenshots .
The Photos app also gains new AI features , at least it will when Apple Intelligence starts to hustle out in October . A newfangled Clean Up photo - editing dick shape likewise to Google ’s Magic Eraser and assist you edit undesirable people and objective in your photos . remembering Maker can create a custom movie using existing photograph and video recording with a command prompt . last , the search is improved and more intuitive to find the exact images and television you want .
A much better Notes experience
Quick : what ’s the straight ancestor of 47 prison term 24 disunite by 16 ? I do n’t love the answer , but the Notes app now does . It can make you a mathematics wizard and figure out problems you ’ve type out . In particular , it blends natural language extremely well with common variable and functions like the equal house .
For example , if you need to send off your roomie a partitioning of their share of the monthly bills , you would previously have had to do the calculations in one place and then typecast it all out in normal linguistic process in Notes or Messages . It was convoluted and alongside the calculator app on the iPad ( at long last ! ! ) , Apple is aiming to solve these workaday problems .
In particular , the Notes app is wise at understand lifelike voice communication , which also act as a variable quantity . Adding the equals sign after a word ( such as tear ) intend you’re able to typewrite rent later , and it can pull up the original issue . This is how our brains work , and finally , your phone can work with how you guess . These changes have been issue forth for a long fourth dimension but feel magical .
Call recording and a T9 keyboard
It ’s strange to remember upgrades to a phone app , especially considering that few hoi polloi still make regular phone outcry . But I do , and I enjoy the young earpiece app in iOS 18 . A few minor tweaks have vastly improved my day - to - twenty-four hour period life .
First , Apple in the end joined the party with T9 dialing . You may not know what that word means , but you ’ll recognise the feature if you ’ve used any phone other than the iPhone . Android phone — and the phones that come before smartphones — can search for a contact in the dialer just by typewrite the letters of that person ’s name , but the iPhone could n’t until now . You no longer need to go to the liaison tab .
The improvements do n’t end there ; you’re able to now also enter and transliterate calls without using another app or twist . After placing a call , you ’ll see a new record release in the top - left recess . Everyone on the call is notified that it ’s being recorded via an audio message , and call recordings are bring through to the Notes app .
you may revisit any call from the Notes app and re - take heed to it , but if you ’d rather not heed to the whole affair , Apple Intelligence will also provide you with a full transcript or a call sum-up . This is bang-up and super handy when you ’re talking to a caller or person and discussing things that you ’ll want to recall in the hereafter .
Send cash with just a tap
iOS 18 also lets you quickly send and receive money from someone without exchanging personal details . Running a lemonade outdoor stage ? A side hustle ? Are you essay to send someone money to split the bank bill ? Now , there ’s no need to contract up for payment services like Square or give someone your earphone bit ; instead , you’re able to just tap to compensate them , or they can quickly tap their iPhone to yours to pay you .
This feature article figure out across iPhone , iPad , and Apple Watch and means you’re able to chop-chop exchange money without relying on apps like Venmo or Zelle . It use Apple Pay on both gadget and given how reliable and familiar Apple Pay is , it ’s a great feature for anyone who on a regular basis mail or encounter money .
iOS 18 is a really big deal
Many other iOS 18 feature article , likechanges in Safariand advance to Journal , are worth updating your iPhone for , but the ones above have vastly improved the iPhone . If you ’re switching from Android to the iPhone , these features make the experience far more familiar , and the tone coloring on the home concealment is second to none .
To get Io 18 on your iPhone today , go to theSettingsapp , tapGeneral , and tapSoftware Update . Theupdate should be hold back for you . revel it !
