Apple has officially rolled out iOS 18, packed with exciting new features for iPhone users, including enhanced home screen customization, upgrades to Messages, and a redesigned Photos app. Released just before the highly anticipated iPhone 16, this latest software update offers more personalization and streamlined functionality, setting the stage for Apple’s next-generation devices.
Key Features:
- Home Screen & Control Center Customization: Users can now arrange app icons and widgets more flexibly, change their sizes, and apply colour tinting for a personalized aesthetic. The Control Center also gains grouped controls, resizing options, and support for third-party apps.
- Messages App Updates: iOS 18 adds more animated text effects, expanded formatting options (bold, italic, etc.), new emoji and sticker reactions, and RCS support for messaging non-iPhone users.
- Standalone Passwords App: A new dedicated Passwords app makes it easier to manage passwords and set up two-factor authentication.
- Photos Redesign: The Photos app now organizes images into customizable collections, with filter options to reduce clutter and better manage the photo library.
- Coming Soon – Apple Intelligence: Though not part of the initial rollout, iOS 18.1 will introduce Apple Intelligence, an AI-based feature to enhance Siri, Photos, and more, including AI-generated emojis (Genmojis) and an Image Playground.
Additional Updates:
- Live audio transcriptions
- Maps enhancements
- “Tap to cash” in Wallet
- Ability to adjust beam width of flashlight
- Option to restart the phone in the Control Center
- Custom Lock Screen controls
