Highlights
- Apple rolled out iOS 18 Update in India and around the world.
- Apple Intelligence features aren’t part of this release.
- iOS 18 focuses on personalisation.
- It includes custom icons, a revamped Control Center, support for locked/hidden apps and more.
- As per Apple, AI features will be released with iOS 18.1 starting in the US.
First unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) earlier this year, iOS 18 is finally out for regular iPhone users. The much-anticipated update is scheduled to go live at 10 AM PT/1 PM ET/5 PM UTC to iPhone users across the world simultaneously.
While iOS 18 is packed with many upgrades and enhancements, it is worth noting that Apple Intelligence will not be part of iOS 18. As per Apple, it will be released in subsequent updates.
Here’s a roundup of everything you need to know about the latest iOS 18 update.
iOS 18: What’s New Features are Coming?
Here’s everything new you will be getting with the iOS 18 update –
| New iOS 18 Feature | Details |
| Home Screen Customisation | ● Enhanced flexibility in rearranging apps and widgets.
● Change colour themes and app icons for dark mode. |
| Revamped Control Center | ● Redesigned for easier access through a swipe-up gesture.
● Control settings are accessible from the lock screen. ● Option to use Action Button for faster access. ● Rearrange control tiles as desired. |
| App Lock | ● Lock individual apps and hide them in a secure folder.
● Provides extra privacy for sensitive information. |
| Messages App Updates | ● RCS support for compatibility with other messaging platforms.
● New features: emoji and sticker reactions, scheduled message sending, text formatting, and dynamic text effects. ● Satellite messaging for iPhone 14 and newer models, allowing communication in remote areas. |
| Mail App Changes | ● Enhanced sorting with on-device categorization into groups (primary, transactions, updates, promotions).
● Smart sorting feature coming in a future update. |
| Game Mode for iPhones | ● Game Mode from Macs is now available on iPhones.
● Options to optimize performance based on game requirements. |
| Revamped Photos App | ● Major redesign for easier access and organization.
● Smart features automatically curate photo collections. |
| Audio and Siri | ● Siri now supports gesture-based interactions (e.g., nodding to confirm).
● Voice isolation for AirPods Pro improves call clarity. ● Personalized spatial audio for gaming coming later, with Need for Speed Mobile as the first game to support it. |
Apple Intelligence: When Is It Coming?
If you have been specifically waiting for Apple Intelligence features, you will have to wait longer.
Apple has planned a scattered release of Apple Intelligence features in multiple iOS updates.
What this means is the new iOS 18 that everyone is raving about doesn’t carry any Apple Intelligence features to your iPhones.
The first set of Apple Intelligence features is scheduled to release with iOS 18.1 in October. And a subsequent release in December will bring the next set of key Apple Intelligence features.
That’s not the only catch when it comes to Apple Intelligence.
Although iOS 18 is compatible with older iPhone models, most old iPhones will not support Apple Intelligence features when they are released.
As per Apple, new Apple Intelligence features will be limited to both the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Apple has also announced that its new Apple Intelligence features will first be available only on devices using Siri set to US English.
Later this year, Apple Intelligence support will expand to localised English versions of different countries. These include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK.
iOS 18: Eligible older-generation models
The newly launched iPhone 16 Series comes with the iOS 18 out of the box. Are you wondering if your older iPhone will be eligible for the new update or not? Well, here’s a list to refer to.
Only below mentioned iPhones will be eligible for the recently rolled-out iOS 18 update –
- 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 or later)
Things To Do Before Installing iOS 18
While you may be excited to get the latest update iOS 18 update on your iPhone, there are certain things that you should keep in mind.
Here’s a quick checklist to follow before you hit the install button for the iOS 18 update –
- Delete all unused apps and files.
- Make sure your iPhone or Apple device has enough storage space for the iOS 18 update.
- Temporarily delete apps like WhatsApp and Instagram.
- Free up additional space and remove cached data.
- Back up your iPhone using iCloud or a local backup.
- Save data locally to protect your data before the update.
- Ensure your iPhone is fully charged.
- Connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before starting the update process.
Ho w To Download iOS 18?
In case a software update notification doesn’t appear on your iPhone even if it’s eligible for iOS 18, you can manually download and install the latest iOS version.
Follow the below steps to download and install the iOS 18 update:
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Go to
- Then tap on Software Update.
- If iOS 18 is available, tap Download and Install.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process.
FAQs
What are the major updates in iOS 18?
iOS 18 introduces enhanced Home Screen customization, a redesigned Control Center, a new password app, and significant updates to Photos and Messages.
Can I customize the Home Screen more in iOS 18?
Yes, you can now place app icons and widgets anywhere, change their size and colour, and even hide apps for a more personalized layout.
What’s new in the Control Center in iOS 18?
The Control Center is more flexible, allowing you to rearrange controls, add multiple pages, and include third-party app controls.
How has the Photos app changed with iOS 18?
The Photos app has a simplified layout, new collections like Recent Days and Trips, and improved organization with on-device intelligence.
What improvements does iOS 18 bring to the Messages app?
The Messages app now supports scheduling messages, using any emoji for Tapback responses, and sending messages via satellite when offline
Will iOS 18 warn you when you’re using a slow iPhone charger?
Apple has made additional charging limit settings for iPhone 15 users, with information about when the user is using a slow charger.
In the Settings app for iOS 18, iPhone 15 users will see several options for setting a charging limit in the “Charging” section of the “Battery” menu.
Earlier, Apple let you set an 80% charge limit, but Apple has now added more granular options to set charge limits of 85%, 90%, and 95%.
iOS 18 comes with a new feature that can tell you if you’re using a slow charger to recharge your iPhone.
In the Settings app, choose the “Battery” menu and look at the Battery Level graph. If you’re actively charging with a slow charger, you’ll see a warning message.
The graph itself has also been updated with a new orange color, which indicates the use of a slow charger.
How to add Bluetooth toggle to Control Center with iOS 18?
• Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
• Long-press on an empty space on the screen to enter editing mode.
• Tap the ‘Add a Control’ button at the bottom of the screen.
• Scroll down and find the Connectivity section.
• Tap on the standalone circular Bluetooth control.
The Bluetooth toggle will now be added to your Control Center. Exit editing mode to save your changes.
You can tap the toggle to enable or disable Bluetooth connections. You can long-press on the control to reveal the Bluetooth details menu, which lists connected accessories.
If your current page is full when adding the Bluetooth control, it will be added to a new empty page. You can long-press to pick it up and drag it to a new location.
To make space for it on a different page, you may need to remove an existing toggle by pressing the minus button in the top-left corner of the control. You can then place the newly-added Bluetooth toggle there instead.
Other Connectivity toggles that can be added in the same manner include Airplane Mode, Mobile Data, and Personal Hotspot.
You can also resize controls, choosing between three different sizes. The Bluetooth toggle can be presented as a small circular toggle, or you can drag the resize handle to make it a double-width rectangle, or resize further to make a larger square toggle.
You aren’t limited to having just one of each type of control. If you customize multiple pages of Control Center widgets, you could put a Bluetooth toggle on every page if you wanted to.
How to use T9 dialing on iOS 18 on iPhone?
Go to the Keypad in the Phone app.
Dial in the numbers corresponding to the first few letters of the person’s name you want to call. Each number button represents three or four letters, so just press the relevant number.
iOS will automatically filter the address book to find possible matches.
The matching person’s name and number will appear at the top of the screen. Tap on the name to confirm and make the call.
Other new Phone app features in iOS 18 include integrated call recording, with automatic transcriptions, and enhanced searchable call history.
iOS 18 is available as a free software update for all iPhone users. Check for the update in Settings -> Software Update.
Has Widgetsmith updated for iOS 18 with an aesthetic new ‘Actions’ system?
Widgetsmith’s update focuses on new customizable Actions that can be added to the Control Center, Lock Screen, and Home Screen.
Widgetsmith taps into this new system of Actions. These widgets allow you to quickly launch an app, run a Shortcut, make a call, send a text, or play music.
In addition to customizing the function of each Action, you can also customize the design. In Control Center, you can customize the text and icon of Action Widgets. They can also be added to your iPhone’s Lock Screen or Home Screen.
iOS 18 also lets you hide app names that appear underneath Home Screen widgets.
The latest version of Widgetsmith is available on the App Store.
Has iOS 18 added a New Repair Assistant for configuring replacement parts?
This feature allows iPhone users and repair professionals to configure new and used Apple parts on the device.
If you previously had your iPhone repaired with a used part or didn’t properly configure a genuine part, you’ll see a prompt in the Settings app after updating to iOS 18 that asks you to complete the configuration process.
Apple has published a new support document on its website with more details on Repair Assistant in iOS 18.
Will iOS 18 make your iPhone run slower?
Old phones can’t keep getting new features without some level of performance strain.
You have to decide: do you want to gain access to the new iOS 18 features, or would you prefer ensuring your iPhone runs exactly as it does today?
Apple is offering iOS 17.7 as a new alternative to iOS 18, complete with important security fixes.
Read More : Apple Intelligence Features: What New Features Will Release with iOS 18.1?
Read More : Your iPhone is Now Theft-Proof: Activation Lock Extended to Internal Components in iOS 18
Read More: Apple Offers Users Update Option as iOS 18 Releases: CIRP Reveals Surprising Reason to Update
Join MyMobile WhatsApp Channel
