Apple unveiled iOS 18 at WWDC 2024, sending ripples of excitement through the iPhone community. This major update promises a more personal and powerful iPhone experience, boasting extensive customization options, a revamped Photos app, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence – a feature poised to be a game-changer.

Unleashing Your Creativity with Customization

Get ready to personalize your iPhone like never before! iOS 18 introduces a plethora of customization options, allowing you to truly make your device your own. Imagine rearranging app icons to create a home screen that reflects your style, or even hiding apps you rarely use for a cleaner look. The possibilities are endless!

New look for app icons

App icons and widgets appear even sleeker with a new Dark look. Tint them all with any color, or have iOS suggest a color that complements your wallpaper. You can also make apps and widgets appear larger.

Locked and hidden apps

Two new ways to protect sensitive apps and the information inside them when others are using your device.

A big update to Control Center

The redesigned Control Center features new groups of controls, which you can access more fluidly with a single, continuous swipe down on the Home Screen.

Controls gallery

Add more controls from the Controls gallery, which displays all your options in one place, including new controls from your favorite apps.

Rearrange and resize your controls

Customize how your controls are laid out, resize them, or build your own groups of controls so they’re always just a swipe away.

Photos: Reimagined and Ready to Shine

The Photos app gets a long-awaited makeover in iOS 18. Apple is revamping the way you interact with your photos and videos, making it easier to find, organize, and relive your memories. Expect smarter search features, powerful editing tools, and a more intuitive layout that puts your cherished moments front and center.

Easily browse by helpful topics

Collections automatically organizes your library by topics like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. And Pinned Collections gives you lightning-fast access to the collections or albums most important to you.

A new space for your greatest hits

Swipe right from the grid to access the new Carousel, which highlights your best content in a beautiful, poster-like view. And it displays a new set of photos each day for a fun surprise.

Messages

All-new ways to play with text

In addition to bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough, you can apply playful, animated effects to any letter, word, phrase, or emoji in iMessage — many of which are automatically suggested as you type.

Schedule a message with Send Later

Whether it’s too late at night or too important to forget, you can now schedule a message to send at a specified time.

Support for RCS messaging

RCS (Rich Communication Services) messages bring richer media and delivery and read receipts for those who don’t use iMessage.

Mail

Get right to what matters most

The Primary category helps you focus on what matters most, like time-sensitive messages and emails from friends, family, or colleagues.

Messages grouped for scanning

View snippets of messages like receipts, marketing emails, and newsletters grouped by sender.

Safari

Introducing Highlights

Safari will automatically detect relevant information on a page and highlight it as you browse. Highlights display helpful information like directions and quick links to learn more about people, music, movies, and TV shows.

A smarter, redesigned Reader

With a table of contents and high-level summary, get the gist of an article before reading on.

Passwords app

All your credentials in one place

From passwords to verifications and security alerts, find them all securely stored in the Passwords app.

Game Mode

Maximize gameplay performance

Game Mode minimizes background activity to sustain consistently high frame rates for hours of continuous gameplay.

More responsive AirPods and controllers

Game Mode dramatically reduces audio latency with AirPods, and makes wireless game controllers incredibly responsive.

Journal

Journaling for wellbeing

Log your state of mind in the Journal app. You can also automatically add the time you spent journaling as mindful minutes in the Health app.

Track goals with insights view

View your writing streaks, a calendar with existing entries, and other fun stats to stay on top of your journaling goals.

Sort and search past entries

Easily find past entries with the ability to sort your journal and use Search to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Home app

Grant specific controls with guest access

Guest access helps you manage how and when people can enter your home, providing access to the garage openers, alarm systems, and door locks you select, at the times you choose

Hands-free unlock

Magically unlock doors as you approach, simply by carrying iPhone in a bag or pocket or wearing Apple Watch.

View your home electricity use

Easily access and understand your home electricity usage right from the Home app. Eligible Pacific Gas and Electric Company customers can connect their utility account to view their electricity usage and rate plan information.

Privacy and Security

Control how you share contacts with apps

Decide which contacts to share with an app, rather than giving it access to all your contacts. Or give the app access only to those you message and call most.

Redesigned Privacy and Security settings

An improved Privacy and Security settings menu makes it easier to manage how much information you’re sharing with apps.

Connecting Just Got Easier

Staying connected with loved ones is even smoother with iOS 18. New features in Messages promise to enhance your communication experience. Whether it’s improved group chats or exciting additions for video calls, Apple is making sure you stay close to those who matter most.

Apple Intelligence: A Glimpse into the Future

Apple Intelligence is the name on everyone’s lips. This beta feature, currently available only on iPhone 15 Pro models, is set to revolutionize how you interact with your iPhone. Imagine a Siri on steroids, capable of anticipating your needs and proactively suggesting actions. Apple Intelligence also introduces Genmojis, personalized emojis that mimic your facial expressions, adding a whole new dimension to your communication.

Availability and Compatibility

iOS 18 will be available as a free software update for iPhone Xs and later models this fall. The public beta is expected to launch next month, so you can try out some of the new features early. As for Apple Intelligence, it’s currently in beta testing and limited to the latest iPhone Pro models.

iOS 18: A Step Forward in Personalization and Power

With its focus on customization, improved core features, and the introduction of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 promises to be a significant upgrade for iPhone users. This update empowers you to personalize your device, manage your memories effortlessly, and stay connected with ease. Buckle up, iPhone users – the future of iOS is here!