Apple has officially released iOS 18, introducing an array of new features and enhancements that aim to provide iPhone users with greater customization, a reimagined Photos app, and significant improvements to Messages and Mail. This latest update also paves the way for the introduction of “Apple Intelligence,” a personal intelligence system combining the power of generative models with personal context, set to launch next month.
With iOS 18, Apple offers users more ways than ever to personalize their Home Screen and Control Center. Users can now frame app icons and widgets around their wallpaper, select from light, dark, or tinted app icons, and even enlarge app icons for a streamlined appearance. The redesigned Control Center enables more flexible organization of controls, including favorites, media playback, and connectivity options, while allowing users to customize their experience directly from the Lock Screen.
The Photos app receives its most significant update yet in iOS 18, making it easier to find and relive cherished memories. The new, unified layout organizes the library into collections such as “Recent Days,” “People & Pets,” and “Trips,” utilizing on-device intelligence to streamline photo organization. Users can personalize their photo experience by customizing layouts and pinning favorite collections for quick access.
The Messsages app now offers new formatting options like bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough to better convey tone. New text effects, emoji, and sticker reactions, along with the ability to schedule messages, make communication more expressive. A standout feature is “Messages via Satellite,” allowing users to send and receive texts when cellular and Wi-Fi connections are unavailable. Additionally, the Messages app now supports RCS for enhanced messaging with non-Apple devices.
The Phone app also sees enhancements, including live call recording and transcription, which are saved to the Notes app for easy reference. This feature will notify call participants before recording begins, ensuring privacy.
Mail now includes intelligent categorization, sorting messages into primary, transactions, updates, and promotions to help users manage their inbox more efficiently. Safari, already known as the world’s fastest browser, introduces new browsing features like “Highlights” for key information on webpages and a redesigned Reader for a streamlined article view. “Distraction Control” allows users to hide disruptive elements on webpages, ensuring a smoother browsing experience.
iOS 18 introduces a new app, Passwords, which builds on the foundation of Keychain. This app provides a centralized location for users to manage passwords, passcodes, and verification codes securely, with end-to-end encryption. It alerts users about weak or compromised passwords, enhancing security.
iOS 18 continues Apple’s commitment to user privacy with features like locked and hidden apps, enabling users to manage access to app content, notifications, and search results. Apple’s new personal intelligence system, Apple Intelligence, launches next month with features like Writing Tools, which aid in refining text across Mail, Notes, Pages, and other apps. Apple Intelligence also enhances Photos, allowing users to create movies by simply typing descriptions and searching for specific moments in photos and videos using natural language.
Siri, Apple’s voice assistant, receives a brand-new design and improved capabilities, including the ability to understand and maintain context across multiple requests. Many Apple Intelligence models will run on-device, ensuring user privacy and security while providing advanced AI features.
Other updates including improved browsing and hiking features in Apple Maps, enhanced gaming with Game Mode, and new ways to pay with Apple Pay. The Health app introduces new pregnancy-related insights and redesigned Medical ID for emergencies, while the Fitness app and Apple Fitness+ get personalized updates for users.
Apple has also introduced new accessibility features such as Eye Tracking and Music Haptics, enhancing the user experience for individuals with diverse needs.
iOS 18 is available today as a free software update for iPhone Xs and later models. The first set of Apple Intelligence features will roll out next month in iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.