With the introduction of iOS 18, Apple has also rolled out iOS 17.7, which adds numerous vital security enhancements. This update will be prominently featured on the Software Update screen, although users can scroll down to locate the option for transitioning to iOS 18. In a noteworthy rebranding, Apple ID has been changed to Apple Account.
Key Features of iOS 18
Customized Home Screen and Lock Screen
iOS 18 offers a variety of personalization choices for users’ home screens. To begin, simply long press anywhere on the home screen. Unlike earlier iOS versions, which lined up icons vertically, users can now reposition and arrange them freely across the interface.
You can modify your app icon hues by selecting from a light mode, a dark mode, or an automatic setting that adapts based on the time of day. Moreover, the Tint feature enables individualized icon colors across all app icons, including those from third-party developers. A color picker, represented as an eyedropper tool, allows you to select an icon color that complements your wallpaper.
To alter the look of your app icons, press and hold on the home screen, tap the Edit button in the upper left corner, and select Customize from the menu. This menu also gives you the ability to adjust home screen pages and incorporate widgets.
The theme chosen will also influence your wallpaper; for instance, enabling dark mode will simultaneously darken your background. You can toggle between light and dark wallpapers by selecting the brightness icon (depicted as a sun). By default, app icons are configured to “Small,” though a “Large” alternative is available, which conceals app labels.
Widgets can now be resized by dragging their edges. For more rapid inclusion, simply long press an app icon and select your desired widget size from the menu.
Improvements to the Lock Screen in iOS 18 comprise the option to customize it by long pressing and selecting the Customize choice. Users can now remove the flashlight and camera icons from the lock screen.
These icons can be replaced by tapping the + button, giving you the option to choose from various options like Translate, Calculator, Dark Mode, Shortcuts, and more. Many system settings and tools are now more accessible, with the ability to access a custom app directly from the lock screen being a notable highlight.
App Security with Face ID
A significant privacy enhancement in iOS 18 is the feature that permits app security using Face ID, preventing unauthorized entry. To employ this, long press an app icon and select “Require Face ID.” This adds an additional security layer by requiring Face ID to access the app and its content, making it suitable for temporarily locking personal applications like Photos when sharing your phone with friends.
While certain apps, such as Bitwarden, previously offered optional Face ID protection in earlier iOS releases, iOS 18 expands this feature to all applications, marking a substantial improvement.
You can also elect to conceal apps while enforcing Face ID for access, which is advantageous for sensitive banking or messaging applications. These apps will not be visible on the home screen, but they can be found in the App Library under the “Hidden” section. Hiding an app also implies that you won’t receive notifications from it.
Redesigned Control Center
iOS 18 facilitates the addition or removal of shortcuts from the Control Center. To enter the editing mode, either click the + button in the upper left corner or long press anywhere in the Control Center.
To introduce a control, simply select the Add a control button and choose your desired option, such as quick access to a specific application. These options reflect the shortcuts available on the lock screen.
The Control Center now supports multiple pages or sections of controls that can be scrolled through, enhancing the widget resizing experience. By default, it contains three pages: one for standard controls, another for media playback (now playing), and the last for connectivity features.
Additionally, the power button located in the upper right corner functions similarly to the physical power button, allowing you to power down your iPhone.
iMessage – RCS, Message Scheduling, and Text Formatting
Rich Communication Services (RCS) has arrived in iMessage in iOS 18, enabling iPhone users to observe when their Android contacts are typing. Delivery and read receipts for sent and received messages have also been integrated. RCS allows for the sharing of high-resolution images and videos, with a size limit of up to 100MB.
A new feature, Send Later, empowers users to schedule messages for future delivery—up to two weeks in advance. This is particularly useful for sending timely birthday or anniversary greetings. To utilize this functionality, tap the + button and select “Send Later” to arrange your message.
An exciting enhancement in iMessage is the introduction of text formatting features, which enable users to style their messages with options such as bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough.
Phone App Improvements: Call Recording and T9 Dialer
With the iOS 18 update, the Phone app now includes the capability for call recording. To initiate recording a conversation, tap the record button at the top left of the screen. The app will inform the person on the other line that the call is being recorded.
*Note: Call Recording was not functional on my iPhone 13, which may suggest regional restrictions.*
Moreover, the Phone app has introduced a T9 dialer, allowing you to enter a contact’s name directly into the keypad for swift searches. A dedicated FaceTime icon is now visible next to each contact for instant access to video calls, while the phone icon can be used for voice communications. Improvements to the recent calls page feature enhanced search functionality for easier retrieval of call records.
Live Voicemail is set to launch in multiple countries, including English-speaking regions such as the UK, Australia, India, Singapore, and South Africa, as well as in Spanish, French, German, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Portuguese.
iPhone Mirroring
While primarily a macOS feature, iPhone Mirroring necessitates devices to be updated to iOS 18 or later. This ability allows users to project their iPhone screen onto a Mac.
To access this feature, open the iPhone Mirroring application, which will be made available in the dock after updating to macOS 15 Sequoia. The app will guide you through the setup process, allowing you to interact with your iPhone using your Mac’s mouse and keyboard.
Note: iPhone Mirroring is currently unavailable for users situated within the European Union.
Distraction Control and Reader Mode in Safari
Safari has introduced a new Distraction Control mode, which can be activated from the menu. This feature enables users to conceal distracting elements on websites by double-tapping them. While it isn’t a complete ad blocker, it allows for temporary modifications to the web view.
The updated Reader mode, accessible via a button to the left of the address bar, streamlines webpage layouts and includes an AI-generated summary and a table of contents for easier navigation. This button will also indicate when highlights are available, permitting users to access essential details such as summaries, maps, and information about featured landmarks or media.
*Note: Features like AI-generated summaries and highlights are currently available only to users in the United States.*
Passwords Application
A notable addition in the iOS 18 update is the Passwords application, representing Apple’s inaugural dedicated password management solution. This tool allows users to generate secure passwords for their online accounts and automatically imports data stored in iCloud Keychain. The application also supports passkeys and provides an autofill feature for quick logins across various applications.
To begin, click the + icon to add a username. When you select the password field, the application creates a secure, random password for you. This app also keeps verification codes for two-factor authentication and allows the scanning of QR codes or entering setup keys for secure logins. It is compatible with Mac, iPhone, Vision Pro, and iPad, offering end-to-end encryption for user information that syncs effortlessly across devices. Users can organize their passwords into categories such as Passkeys, Wi-Fi, and more, including options for manual sorting.
To sync passwords on a PC, you will need to have iCloud for Windows installed. Additionally, the iCloud Passwords extension is necessary for browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera, or Vivaldi, though it is unavailable for Firefox. While Mozilla’s browser does support iCloud Bookmarks, the extension has not received updates in over two years.
Note: A third-party Apple Passwords extension is available on Mozilla’s AMO. This extension is not connected with Apple, so use it at your own risk.
Though the Apple Passwords application provides basic features that may be adequate for the average user, those familiar with more comprehensive password managers like Bitwarden or 1Password may find it lacking due to its absence of advanced functionalities and limited compatibility, as it is not accessible for Android or Linux.
Apple Intelligence
If you are curious why Apple Intelligence is absent from our list, it’s because this feature has not been deployed yet. Apple plans to roll out AI functionalities in a forthcoming update for users who have set their device language to U.S. English, with subsequent updates for other English-speaking nations later this year, including Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, and the UK. French, Japanese, and Spanish-speaking users can expect the rollout in 2025. However, due to the Digital Markets Act, Apple Intelligence will not be available to users within the European Union, and this limitation also pertains to China.
It is worth noting that Apple Intelligence is solely available on the iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models. Previous iPhone models are not supported mainly due to DRAM limitations.
Supported iPhones for iOS 18
The devices compatible with iOS 18 include:
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and subsequent)
Many of these features—particularly the customizable home screen selections, widgets, and screen mirroring—have been present on Android devices for quite some time, either natively or through third-party software. It’s thrilling to see these capabilities finally introduced to iOS. For a comprehensive overview of the changes in iOS 18, you can consult Apple’s official documentation, which also provides a PDF version of the information from the same source.
Image Source: Mojahid Mottakin / Shutterstock
