iOS 18 with major updates and AI

This new feature combines generative models with personalized context for a smarter and more relevant experience across iPhone, iPad and Mac.

New Customizations and Options

iOS 18 allows iPhone users to customize their home screen, lock screen and control center more freely.

Home screen: Apps and widgets can be arranged anywhere, including above the dock. Widgets can have a dark or tinted look and can be resized for a personalized feel.

Control Center redesign: Easy access to day-to-day controls with customization options for media playback, home controls, and connections. Users can add controls from third-party apps, such as unlocking a car or capturing content for social media.

Lock Screen Customization: Users can now toggle or remove controls at the bottom of the lock screen and use the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max for quick access.

Improvements in the Photos App

The Photos app has been redesigned for easier browsing and reliving special moments.

Unified View: A simplified grid view and new collections help users browse by theme without organizing content into albums. Carousel View: Highlights favorite people, pets, places and more with autoplaying content throughout the app. The app is customizable to organize and pin collections.

Improved Messaging

iMessage now has dynamic text effects that allow users to animate letters, words, phrases or emojis.

Personalization: Formatting options include bold, underline, italic, and strikethrough. Tapbacks now support any emoji or sticker, and users can schedule messages.

RCS Support: Richer media and more reliable group messaging for non-Apple contacts.

Messages via Satellite: When cellular and Wi-Fi connections are unavailable, text, emoji and Tapbacks are enabled over iMessage and SMS with end-to-end encryption.

Improvements in Mail

On-device categorization sorts emails into Primary, Transactions, Updates and Promotions. A new digest view gathers relevant emails from companies for quick scanning.

Safari updates

Safari offers easier information discovery with Highlights and a redesigned Reader experience. Machine learning highlights key information on web pages, such as summaries, locations and music tracks.

Passwords App

The new Passwords app, built on Keychain, provides easy access to passwords, access keys, Wi-Fi passwords and verification codes. It includes alerts for weak or reused passwords and those in known data breaches.

Privacy features

iOS 18 improves user control over app visibility, contact sharing, and accessory connectivity.

Locked and Hidden Apps: Users can lock or hide apps, keep notifications and content private.

Selective Sharing of Contacts: Users can choose to share specific contacts with apps.

Accessory privacy: Seamless third-party accessory connections without exposing all devices on a network.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence improves typing and communication across iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia.

Writing tools: System-wide tools for rewriting, proofreading and summarizing text in various apps.

Image Playground: Create playful images with Animation, Illustration or Sketch styles.

Memories in Photos: Generate stories with selected photos and videos, remove distracting objects.

Advanced Siri: More natural, contextual interactions with text and voice capabilities.

Private Cloud Compute: Balancing on-device processing and server-based models, ensuring privacy.

ChatGPT Integration: Access to ChatGPT for expertise and understanding of images/documents.

Additional Features in iOS 18

Apple Maps: Browse hikes in national parks, create custom walking routes and save favorites offline.

Game Mode: Consistent frame rates and responsive accessories for a better gaming experience.

Apple Pay: Redeem rewards, access installments and use Tap to Cash for fast transactions.

SharePlay with Apple Music: Shared music management for a more engaging listening experience.

AirPods Improvements: Personal interactions with Siri, improved call quality, and better audio latency for games.

Notes App: Instant solutions for formulas and equations, collapsible sections and highlighting.

Journal App: Insights view, search and sort posts, mindful minutes tracking and a Journal widget.

Calendar: Integration with Reminders, updated monthly view and task management.

Health App: Redesigned Medical ID, better understanding of pregnancy data and emergency SOS live video.

Home App: Guest access control, hands-free unlocking with home keys and insight into energy consumption.

Accessibility: Eye Tracking, Music Haptics and Voice Shortcuts for enhanced user experiences.