Even in case you’re not planning to purchase one of many new iPhones, your present iPhone (XR and later) can now get a bunch of recent options following the discharge of iOS 18.
Among the many new options in iOS 18 are a redesigned Pictures app, new methods to customise your Residence display screen and wallpaper, new Messages reactions, privacy-related options and dozens of different smaller modifications. There may even be some AI options, dubbed Apple Intelligence coming to some iPhones (discover out in the event that they’ll be in your iPhone under).
This free software program replace brings interface tweaks, bug fixes, and new options. It’s like getting a brand new iPhone with out paying a penny. On this article, we focus on the whole lot it’s essential find out about iOS 18, together with which iPhones will have the ability to run iOS 18, the brand new options – and the brand new options nonetheless to return as a result of they weren’t prepared in time for the launch of iOS 18.
We even have details about the beta program together with the most recent model of the general public and developer betas.
Replace: September 20 – reviews of a Messages crashing bug linked to make use of of Apple Watch.
iOS 18: Launch date
iOS 18 arrived on Monday, September 16. macOS Sequoia, watchOS and iPadOS 18 had been additionally launched across the identical time.
iOS 18: Newest model
The most recent model is iOS 18, however anticipate iOS 18.0.1 to reach quickly as Apple addresses any issues with the preliminary launch.
For instance, there seems to be a problem with iPadOS 18 inflicting the iPad Professional M4 to cease working. See: iPadOS 18 replace pulled after bricking M4 iPad Professional.
Apple can be engaged on a beta of iOS 18.1, which incorporates Apple Intelligence options. Apple Intelligence is just not obtainable within the first model. The primary set of options will are available in iOS 18 with extra following in subsequent updates. See our detailed roadmap of Apple Intelligence options and their probably launch dates.
Additionally learn: iOS 18 is lacking extra than simply Apple Intelligence
iOS 18: Issues and bugs
Messages bug: A Messages bug that may trigger crashes and should even consequence within the lack of useful knowledge has been reported. It appears to be linked to an Apple Watch characteristic that lets customers share their watch face over Messages (or Mail). Clearly, these are fairly a distinct segment set of circumstances and one of the best ways to keep away from it seems to be to not reply to observe faces in a thread. We’ve got extra info right here: Hyperlink-sharing bug in iOS 18 Messages could cause iPhone crashes, knowledge loss.
When you’ve got any issues with iOS 18 you might be able to downgrade. Learn: Tips on how to downgrade an iPhone from iOS 18 to iOS 17.
iOS 18: Ought to I set up iOS 18 on my iPhone?
So long as your iPhone can run it, we advocate updating to iOS 18. The brand new options–all of which we focus on under–look attractive sufficient, and, up to now, the one downside (see above) is not going to have an effect on many individuals. We deal with how How iOS 17 and iOS 18 examine individually. Additionally check out: All of the little particulars and hidden options in iOS 18 you received’t wish to miss.
Nonetheless, we do advocate you wait every week or extra in order that any points with the early launch will be addressed: regardless of the beta program, there are sometimes points as soon as the software program replace will get put in on mass-market iPhones. It’s additionally smart to not be one of many first downloaders as a result of the obtain will probably take so much longer in case you attempt quickly after it turns into obtainable.
iOS 18: Tips on how to set up
Putting in iOS 18 and any subsequent updates is a breeze. Simply open the Settings app in your iPhone and go to Common > Software program Replace; iOS will test for any obtainable updates and information you thru the method of putting in them. You merely must comply with the directions, which we clarify in our iOS updating information. And it’s simpler nonetheless in case you’ve turned on Automated Updates, which you are able to do from the identical display screen.
Somewhat work making ready your iPhone earlier than putting in the replace will help keep away from issues. We advise you comply with these steps:
- Again up your iPhone: Again up earlier than putting in the brand new model and you’ll at all times have the ability to get better your iPhone with the older model of iOS working on it ought to issues go incorrect. Learn: Tips on how to downgrade an iPhone.
- Make house in your iPhone: In case your iPhone doesn’t have a variety of obtainable house internally we advocate having a little bit of a tidy-up so you may reclaim some iPhone storage. Easy methods to do that may embrace deleting apps you don’t use, deleting outdated Notes, Messages, and duplicated photographs.
- Replace your iPhone to the most recent model: Don’t skip an replace and go straight to iOS 18. In the event you haven’t put in iOS 17.6.1 but achieve this now.
iOS 18 compatibility: Which iPhones get iOS 18?
The next iPhones get assist for iOS 18, the identical lineup of supported units as iOS 17.
- iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, Professional, Professional Max
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, Professional, Professional Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, Professional, Professional Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, Professional, Professional Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, Professional, Professional Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Professional, Professional Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd gen or later)
Learn: iOS 18 compatibility: Which iPhones assist iOS 18 and iOS compatibility checker
A few of the new options is not going to be supported on the older telephones, as a result of they lack the {hardware} crucial (a strong sufficient Neural Engine or GPU to run AI stuff, or sufficient RAM). That is typical of recent iOS releases. In 2022, for instance, the iPhone 8 and iPhone X missed out on a bunch of cool stuff because of their older processor. It’s no shock, subsequently, that the {hardware} necessities are steep for the AI-related options aka ‘Apple Intelligence’—iPhone 15 Professional or later.
Like iOS 17, iOS 18 doesn’t assist iPhone 8 or the iPhone X which got here out in 2017, however since these telephones are in a position to run iOS 16, they’ll proceed to get assist by way of safety updates for not less than one other yr. With the discharge of iOS 18 although, Apple will cease supporting iOS 15, which is able to imply that iPhone 7, 7 Plus, iPhone 6S, 6S Plus, and iPhone SE (1st era) will not get assist. Typically, Apple has offered software program updates for the previous two variations of iOS. See: How lengthy does Apple assist iPhones.
iOS 18 beta: Newest model
Apple’s beta testing program for builders and public testers has been working since June/July and can proceed past the launch of iOS 18 to most people. There’s additionally a separate iOS 18 Sequoia 15.1 beta that features Apple Intelligence options. Under you’ll find details about the most recent beta variations and how one can set up them.
If you wish to run the developer beta, it’s essential be a registered Apple software program developer, which has each free and paid ($99/£79) variations. We clarify Tips on how to be a part of Apple’s beta program individually. Since June 2023 Apple has opened the beta testing program to all registered builders–so now everybody can get the earliest doable entry to the iOS beta with out paying Apple. Developer betas will be dangerous although, so as a substitute, anybody can join the Public Beta, which must be extra steady than the developer beta. Beware although: whether or not a public beta or a developer beta, any beta software program is just not as steady as the ultimate model and the iOS and your apps could not work correctly. Learn Do you have to set up the iOS 18 beta? for recommendation. Quite than putting in the developer beta we advocate that you must set up the general public beta to keep away from too many problems.
As soon as registered, once you go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace in your Mac, you’ll see a brand new tab for Beta Updates, which is able to record the model of the beta you’re working. For instance, if you wish to set up the developer beta choose iOS 18 Developer Beta, alternatively, if it’s the general public beta you need, choose iOS 18 Public Beta. In the event you need assistance putting in the developer or public betas learn our Tips on how to get the iOS beta article. In the event you then wish to uninstall it, we now have a information for that: Tips on how to take away the iOS beta.
Newest beta
- iOS 18.1 beta 4 – developer beta launched September 17
- iOS 18.0 RC – public beta
Apple started the beta program quickly after it revealed the main points of iOS 18 at WWDC. The developer beta is accessible for anybody who desires to run the beta, nevertheless it must be famous betas–particularly developer betas–are more likely to be buggy, so we don’t advocate putting in it on a main gadget.
Apple began parallel growth of iOS 18.1 on July 29 with the discharge of the iOS 18.1 beta to builders with supported {hardware} (iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max). This model consists of Apple Intelligence options which weren’t obtainable within the preliminary launch of iOS 18. See: All the pieces Apple Intelligence can (and might’t) do in iOS 18.1.
In the event you’d like to affix the beta learn how one can be a part of Apple’s beta program and check out new software program. If you wish to take away the beta out of your gadget learn this: Tips on how to take away an iOS beta out of your iPhone.
iOS 18 options: The brand new options in iOS 18
There have been many new options in iOS 17 together with a brand new app known as Journal, Dwell Voicemail, and a brand new means to make use of Stickers, amongst dozens of different smaller modifications. Rumors steered that iOS 18 can be “one of many greatest iOS updates — if not the largest — within the firm’s historical past.” As anticipated, in iOS 28 Apple will embrace some main new AI options, dubbed Apple Intelligence, though these options will solely be obtainable on iPhone 15 Professional and Professional Max and newer iPhones.
Not all the brand new options will likely be obtainable at launch. The primary Apple Intelligence AI options will likely be launched in iOS 18.1. Different options, akin to the brand new classes in Mail, will come “later this yr” in a subsequent software program replace. Learn: These options will likely be lacking when iOS 18 launches this fall.
Customization
There will likely be a extra customizable Residence Display, Lock Display, and Management Middle in iOS 18.
A number of reviews had claimed that Apple would permit larger personalization of the Residence display screen, together with permitting customers to put icons anyplace on the grid, permitting areas between them. Previous to iOS 18 icons will be reordered or put into folders, however at all times fill the display screen from left to proper and high to backside.
In iOS 18 customers will have the ability to prepare apps and widgets anyplace on the Residence Display, together with proper above the dock or framing a wallpaper. It should even be doable to alter the lock display screen icons or take away them.
As well as, App icons and widgets can have a darkish or tinted impact to mix in. Learn: iOS 18: Tips on how to change the colour of the app icons on your property display screen and Tips on how to put app icons, widgets, and folders anyplace you need in addition to iOS 18: Tips on how to make your app icons massive and label-free.
This “put icons wherever you need” characteristic is one thing we’ve wished from Apple for a few years, and has been a staple of many Android telephones seemingly eternally.
The Management Centre is getting a redesign to offer simpler entry to a person’s most-utilized controls. Customers may even have the ability to add controls from supported third-party apps into Management Middle.
Is it sufficient? Learn: Apple is lastly letting you might have it your means–kinda and You may lastly customise your iPhone like Android–right here’s the whole lot you are able to do.
Pictures
New options in Pictures will assist customers discover their photographs and maintain large libraries organized. It’s the largest redesign of Pictures ever and is meant to assist customers discover photographs quick. Will probably be simplified however nonetheless acquainted, based on Apple and can embrace a brand new Unified View, new Collections, and customization options.
Customers will have the ability to filter out litter to slender all the way down to particular varieties of content material. Will probably be doable to browse by matters, time, individuals, recollections, journeys, Current Days and Folks and Pets.
A brand new carousel view will current highlights that replace every day – that includes favourite individuals, pets, and locations.
Messages
Messages will acquire new methods to specific your self. Anticipate enhancements to textual content formatting and enjoyable new textual content results. Tapbacks are getting redesigned and can allow you to faucet again with any emoji or sticker. You’ll additionally have the ability to amplify and animate letters, phrase, phrases, and emoji, and add formatting like daring, underline, italics, and strikethrough.
Additionally, you will have the ability to schedule a message to ship later.
Messages may even assist RCS for extra dependable group messaging with those that would not have an Apple gadget. Examine how your conversations with Android customers will look in iOS 18 and RCS on iPhone with iOS 18: Each query answered.
Apple can be making it doable to ship Messages by way of Satellite tv for pc so you may textual content when off the grid from Messages app. iMessages despatched over satellite tv for pc are encrypted.
Mail will make it easier to handle incoming electronic mail higher with new on-device categorization. As electronic mail arrives will probably be sorted into Main (private and time-sensitive), Transactions (confirmations and receipts), Updates (information and social notifications), and Promotions (advertising and coupons).
A brand new Digest will pull collectively all related emails from a enterprise, so for instance, it may deliver all flight info collectively.
The Mail Categorization options will likely be obtainable later this yr.
Safari
A brand new Highlights characteristic is designed to make it simpler to find info on the net.
A redesigned Reader expertise will use machine studying to floor key info on a webpage in order that customers can overview a abstract to get the gist of an article. A desk of contents will likely be included for longer articles
Apple says customers may even have the ability to shortly see the placement of a restaurant, resort, or landmark; or take heed to an artist’s observe proper from an article concerning the track or album.
Additionally, you will have the ability to snap away annoying adverts.
Pockets and Apple Pay
There will likely be new methods to pay with Apple Pay. Customers can ship and obtain Apple Money by holding two iPhones collectively: Faucet to Money will allow you to share money with out exchanging electronic mail or quantity.
Tickets in Apple Pockets together with key occasion info like an occasion information with data concerning the venue, and really helpful Apple Music playlists
iPhone mirroring on the Mac
iPhone Mirroring will grant customers entry to their iPhone by way of their Mac. Will probably be doable to see notifications from the iPhone on the Mac, and drag and drop information between the units.
Learn: How iPhone Mirroring allows you to entry your iPhone in your Mac in macOS Sequoia.
Different app updates:
- Journal – New options that can assist you maintain observe of objectives, Insights view, calendar, writing streak, and truly search
- Maps – New topographic maps with trails (US nationwide parks solely)
- Sport Mode – Will reduce background exercise for the most effective body charges
- Notes app – formulation and equations entered whereas typing will likely be solved
- Calendar – incorporates duties from Reminders and a brand new month-to-month view
- Well being app – Medical ID redesigned
- Emergency SOS Dwell Video
- Residence app – visitor entry
- Accessibility – Eye Monitoring
- iCloud – Apple is including a “Maintain Downloaded” possibility that stops the file from being moved to iCloud and retains the file on the gadget. Learn concerning the new Maintain Downloaded possibility.
Apple didn’t focus on the whole lot at WWDC. There have been plenty of options that didn’t make the WWDC keynote.
Additionally see: Unannounced iOS 18 tweak allows you to see the time even when your iPhone is useless.
Privateness options
iOS 18 will enhance privateness. It is possible for you to to regulate who can see your apps, which contacts you share with that app, and which equipment apps can hook up with.
You may as well management whether or not others can view your apps in your iPhone by locking an app so it received’t open with out Face ID or a passcode. A brand new locked hidden apps folder can be coming with iOS 18.
Builders can have a solution to seamlessly join third-party equipment with iPhones with out letting an app see all the opposite units on a person’s community.
Apple Intelligence
Apple’s new synthetic intelligence system is coming to iPhone, Mac, and iPad with iOS 18, macOS Sequoia, and iPadOS 18. Apple Intelligence will solely be supported by iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 15 Professional Max although. (Right here’s why you’ll have to improve your iPhone to get Apple Intelligence, additionally learn: Right here’s why newer iPhones and Imaginative and prescient Professional can’t run Apple Intelligence).
The {hardware} necessities are steep—iPhone 15 Professional or later. iPads will want not less than an M1 chip or later as will Macs. Apple Intelligence options will principally be processed on the gadget, which is completely different from different platforms the place AI processing is finished within the cloud. However Apple Intelligence will have the ability to decide if cloud processing is required and can use it when applicable.
Apple Intelligence options embrace the next:
Writing – Apple Intelligence will assist customers improve their writing and communications. Writing Instruments are in-built systemwide that may supply to rewrite, proofread, and summarize textual content in writing centered apps akin to Mail, Notes, Pages, and third-party apps.
Photographs – New picture capabilities may even come to M-series Macs. In Picture Playground customers will have the ability to create photos in three kinds: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch.
Pictures – A brand new Recollections in Pictures characteristic will create a video from photographs and movies based mostly on an outline offered by the person. Apple Intelligence will select the photographs and movies, develop a storyline based mostly on the photographs, and prepare them right into a film. As well as, a brand new Clear Up instrument will determine and take away undesirable objects from the background of a photograph.
Learn: Apple Intelligence FAQ: What it’s, what it does, and once you’ll get it and Apple Intelligence is a gradual rollout—right here’s what you’ll get, and when.
Siri
Siri can be getting some AI updates and ChatGPT is to be built-in into Siri. As a result of some queries will likely be dealt with off-device Apple is introducing Non-public Cloud Compute in order that when knowledge is shipped to server-based fashions for processing it’s not saved or made accessible to Apple.
One of many easiest modifications to Siri is that will probably be simpler to kind to Siri somewhat than having to talk to the on-device assistant. Apple could have lastly twigged that folks don’t at all times wish to speak to their telephones.
The brand new Siri is claimed to be extra “conversational” and pure, with options that “assist customers of their day-to-day lives.”
A brand new good responses framework will assist Siri have in mind your personal private particulars in its replies: like individuals, corporations, calendar occasions, areas, dates, and extra.
Later this yr, Siri is claimed to get cross-device media management. So you may speak to Siri on one in every of your units to regulate media playback on one other.
In an replace scheduled for early 2025, Siri is claimed to realize the flexibility to regulate practically any app, with a whole lot of doable instructions. This characteristic will begin off with single instructions for Apple’s personal apps and develop to incorporate third-party apps and instructions with a number of steps. As well as, Siri will have the ability to react to and take actions based mostly on what’s in your display screen. That is stated to enter beta for builders in January, with a rollout to customers in iOS 18.4 within the spring.
New accessibility options
Apple is planning a number of new accessibility options for iOS 18, together with Adaptive Voice Shortcuts, which is able to let customers activate or off particular accessibility options utilizing a customized phrase, and Dwell Speech, which lets customers kind what they wish to say and have it learn out loud on cellphone calls or video conferences, will get the flexibility so as to add saved phrases to classes.
Options coming after the iOS 18 launch
Some iOS 18 options received’t be part of the preliminary launch. Quite, they are going to be launched later in 2024 or in 2025 as a part of an iOS 18 level launch (iOS 18.2 or iOS 18.4, for instance).
Listed here are among the extra vital options we anticipate to come later in an iOS 18 replace:
Mail app options – Auto-categorizing of mail, mail digests, and summaries in your inbox are all options anticipated later in 2024.
Residence assist for robotic vacuums – The Residence app received’t have the ability to begin or cease your Roomba till later in 2024.
Drag and Drop between iPhone and Mac – You’ll have the ability to see and management your iPhone in your Mac when iOS 18 and macOS 15 are launched, however drag-and-drop assist between your Mac and iPhone will are available in an replace.
ChatGPT integration – The flexibility to name upon ChatGPT when utilizing Apple’s AI instruments will probably come later in 2024.
Superior Siri options – Siri options like its capability to see and react to what’s in your show, semantic indexing (the place Siri is aware of and makes use of info from throughout Messages, Mail, Contacts, and extra), and superior management over apps is all coming in 2025.
Car Movement Cues in iOS 18 will assist scale back movement illness.
Third-party NFC transactions – Apple will permit third-party NFC transactions starting with iOS 18.1–by request.
As well as, all the Apple Intelligence options will initially assist solely American English, and could also be restricted to just some areas. Further languages and areas are more likely to be obtainable by way of 2025 and past.
Subsequent model of iOS
We all know that the subsequent model of iOS after Apple finishes growth of iOS 18 will likely be iOS 19. However what subsequent when it comes to software program? Anticipate much more Apple Intelligence options to return within the late 2025 replace to iOS and anticipate that iOS, iPadOS and macOS will likely be nearer than ever.
Over the previous a number of years, the discharge of the brand new model of iOS has been pretty constant, normally falling on the Monday following Apple’s iPhone launch occasion:
- iOS 18: Monday, September 16, 2024
- iOS 17: Monday, September 18, 2023
- iOS 16: Monday, September 12, 2022
- iOS 15: Monday, September 20, 2021
- iOS 14: Wednesday, September 16, 2020
- iOS 13: Thursday, September 19, 2019
- iOS 12: Monday, September 17, 2018