Highlights
- iOS 18 introduces a hardware power button in the Control Center
- Vocal Shortcuts enable custom voice commands for specific actions
- Power button tap shows the power slider for easy shutdown
- All Vocal Shortcuts processing occurs on-device for privacy
For years, many an iPhone user has struggled to work out how to turn their device off.
But iOS 18 fixed that perennial annoyance from Apple by adding a hardware power button into the mix.
The omission of the Home button from the iPhone changed the hard-wired years-old muscle memory behavior.
Instead of holding both the side button and a volume button simultaneously, one just had to hold both of those buttons.
This changed years of muscle memory for many people, so they went online to get it right.
Apple, in its iOS 18, has now made the task easier by embedding a power button into the top-right corner of the new Control Center.
Tapping once on the power button will pop up the good old power slider to let you power off your iPhone easily.
How to customize and use Control Center in iOS 18:
- Check that you’re running the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone (full guide)
- From the Lock or Home Screen, swipe down from the top right corner of your screen
- You can stop on the first Control Center screen (Favorites) or do one longer continuous swipe down to access the new Music, Home, or Connectivity Control Center screens
- Tap the + icon in the top left corner to add controls and customize (or long press in an empty space)
- Drag on the bold rounded corner of a control to make it larger or smaller
- When in edit mode, you can tap the dotted circle icon just below the Connectivity page to create a fifth or sixth Control Center page from scratch.
Vocal Shortcuts Empower Voice Commands
There are some other improvements as well with iOS 18.
Even though the interface of Apple Intelligence is going to make Siri’s abilities even better, iOS 18 also introduces a very major feature called Vocal Shortcuts that is aimed at enhancing voice computing.
Vocal Shortcuts allow the user to make custom voice commands for initiating specific actions or shortcuts on the iPhone or iPad.
The user could say a specific phrase, something like “Order pizza,” and the phone will automatically open the webpage through which ordering can be done.
These features overcome the problem of understanding natural language by the voice assistant and let the user develop their personally tailored commands.
Setting up Vocal Shortcuts is a straightforward process:
- Enable the feature in Settings > Accessibility > Vocal Shortcuts.
- Choose the desired action or shortcut to be triggered.
- Define a custom trigger phrase.
- Speak the phrase aloud three times for recognition.
Notably, all processing for Vocal Shortcuts occurs entirely on-device, ensuring privacy and security.
Streamlined Voice Commands Without Siri
Once set up, Vocal Shortcuts may also be activated by articulating the trigger phrase which has been designated, even when a user’s device is locked.
It means that there is no need, in the first instance, to call Siri into action.
Seamlessness made even more seamless then.
In all, iOS 18 brings further simplification of everyday tasks and a better experience for the end-user.
This ranges from having the phone turn off with just one touch to any kind of other customized voice control.
As voice computing continues to evolve, features like Vocal Shortcuts demonstrate Apple’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of user interaction and accessibility on its devices.
Actions you can choose from when setting up your Vocal Shortcuts include:
- anything Siri can do—you’ll type out a Siri command, then assign that command a custom phrase, and Siri will perform it upon you saying that phrase
- any shortcut you have in the Shortcuts app
- or one of a variety of basic functions like activating Control Center, your device’s flashlight, volume adjustments, and more
FAQs
What is the new power button feature in iOS 18?
iOS 18 adds a hardware power button in the top-right corner of the Control Center, allowing users to easily access the power slider to turn off their iPhone.
How do Vocal Shortcuts work in iOS 18?
Vocal Shortcuts let users create custom voice commands to trigger specific actions or shortcuts, providing a personalized voice control experience.
How can I set up Vocal Shortcuts on my iPhone?
To set up Vocal Shortcuts, go to Settings > Accessibility > Vocal Shortcuts, choose an action, define a trigger phrase, and speak the phrase aloud three times for recognition.
Do Vocal Shortcuts require Siri to be activated?
No, Vocal Shortcuts can be activated by simply articulating the designated trigger phrase, even when the device is locked, without needing to call Siri.
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