Apple showed off the next major iteration of iOS during its Worldwide Developer Conference ( WWDC ) in June . This iteration is iOS 18 , and it ’s packing quite a punch in terms of features .
It has bring inApple Intelligence , which is Apple ’s entourage of AI tools . Combined with new customization tools , a redesigned Photos app , and more , there ’s a lot to dive into . Here ’s everything you take to bonk about iOS 18 .
iOS 18 release date
Historically , Apple releases the terminal variant of iOS to the public about a week after foretell the next iPhones — and this turned out to be true .
When Apple officially harbinger the iPhone 16 at the“It ’s Glowtime ” upshot on September 9 , it confirmed that all new iPhones will ship with Io 18 out of the box seat . For those with sometime iPhones , you may upgrade to iOS 18 when you ’re quick . As of December 11 , 2024 , the current version is iOS 18.2 .
iPhones that can download iOS 18
Apple has made iOS 18 a bit complex in terminus of compatibility . While you could instal iOS 18 on iPhones as far back as the iPhone XR , you ’ll involve at least an iPhone with the A17 Pro poker chip to get the raw Apple Intelligence characteristic . That means theiPhone 15 ProandiPhone 15 Pro Max(and by and by ) get the complete package for iOS 18 .
The reasoning for this is due to the 8 GB of RAM that the iPhone 15 Pro exemplar have , as well as the performance offered by the A17 Pro . After all , AI typically requires a luck of power to run due to its big language models ( LLMs ) , so this get sense . Unfortunately , it think that even theiPhone 15andiPhone 15 Plus , which are just over a twelvemonth old , are already a flake date since they do n’t meet the minimal requirement verge for Apple Intelligence .
Furthermore , Apple Intelligence works with all the unexampled iPhone 16 models — let in theiPhone 16,iPhone 16 Plus , iPhone 16 Pro , andiPhone 16 Pro Max . Apple Intelligence is a key merchandising point of the new lineup , so from this point ahead , all iPhones should be able to utilize It .
There are still plenty of other characteristic in iOS 18 that the old mannikin can get too . We have a list ofevery iPhone compatible with iOS 18if you need to double - check . As for iPads , you ’ll involve one with at least an M1 chip to enjoy iPadOS 18 .
Apple Intelligence is here
Apple Intelligence is a big part of iOS 18 . Again , while many iPhones will be able-bodied to support iOS 18 , not all of them will get the Apple Intelligence feature . As bring up , prior to the iPhone 16 serial , the only two modelling that get Apple Intelligence are theiPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max .
Apple has trace its Apple Intelligence AI as “ comprised of highly capable enceinte language and dissemination models specialized for your everyday tasks . ” It will draw on your personal context to provide you with help by understanding and create spoken language and images . It also let you take various steps to simplify actions across multiple apps that you use daily .
Apple Intelligence can prioritise your notifications so that only the most all-important ones are at the top of the push-down stack . A newfangled Reduce Interruptions Focus feature article have in mind you will only see the notifications that involve contiguous attention .
There are alsowriting tools integrated into Apple Intelligencethat should help oneself you write better . The writing peter are integrate systemwide so that you could use them across both first- and third - party apps . Writing tools let in rewrite , proofreading , and even text summarisation .
Rewrite will do just that — rewrite what you ’ve already written into a different translation , perhaps with a different tone than you already had . Proofread helps you ensure there are no grammar or typo error , and can supply edit trace . Summarize permit you select textbook and get a recapitulation of of the essence selective information in a more digestible path . summary can also be bump in your email inbox , and Apple Notes can record and transliterate audio .
Image contemporaries also spiel a big part in Apple Intelligence and is now usable for everyone in Io 18.2.Apple has a young app called Image Playground , where you could “ create ” young and original images to express yourself in dissimilar way . Image Playground is integrated right into the Messages app , other apps like Notes , and even third - party apps that utilize the app Programming Interface ( API ) . Alternatively , you may utilise the standalone Image Playground app .
Like creating your own figure of speech in the Image Playground , Apple Intelligence can also render custom emojis with Genmoji . Just typewrite in a descriptor , and Apple Intelligence whips up a individualized emoji based on what you described .
Siri also catch a mint of new smartness with Apple Intelligence . With AI , Siri is capable to better understand natural speech communication and be more conversational . Siri should even be capable to understand you even if you falter and can defend context from one request to another .
It will also have Apple product knowledge , so you could ask Siri for help on how to do something on your iPhone , iPad , or Mac . Lastly , Siri has on - covert awareness , so you could take action with Siri base on what ’s presently on your screen .
Apple hasChatGPT integration baked into Apple Intelligence . If Siri is unable to fill out your request , it will suggest ChatGPT to get you an answer — without ever take to switch apps . ChatGPT is also available through the writing tools .
Apple Intelligence also makes theClean Up toolin Photos potential , which we ’ll get to in a piece . It ’s Apple ’s version ofGoogle ’s Magic Eraser and Samsung ’s Object Eraser tools . Searching is profligate and easier through your photos and picture with natural language , and you’re able to even make new memory videos with a phrase .
Though iOS 18 was first available in September , it did not ship with Apple Intelligence have initially . Beginning with iOS 18.1 , Apple sum up a fistful of Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools , improved Siri , improvement to searching memories in Photos and the Clean Up cock , and call recording with transcription .
On December 11 , 2024,Apple released Io 18.2to the world . This update includes all the image contemporaries puppet in Image Playground , including Genmoji and ChatGPT desegregation , which are available through Siri and Writing Tools . For those who have an iPhone 16 machine , iOS 18.2 also adds Visual Intelligence through the Camera Control , andiPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max users also get Layered Recordings in Voice Memos .
Visual Intelligence
At the iPhone 16 case , Apple introduced the newCamera Controland a characteristic call Visual Intelligence . This is a new instrument in Apple Intelligence that ’s only usable on the iPhone 16 , iPhone 16 Plus , iPhone 16 Pro , and iPhone 16 Pro Max equipment .
Visual Intelligence is basically Apple ’s take on Google Lens . To activate Visual Intelligence , just fight and hold the Camera Control button and then point the tv camera at any object in the real world . Some expend case for this are to key animal or plants , tally issue flyer details to your calendar , find out where you’re able to purchase a cool aim like a bike you see outside , and more .
This is a magnanimous marketing point for the new iPhone 16 line , making the Camera Control clitoris more useful than ab initio . Visual Intelligence is now officially available with the iOS 18.2 update .
Lots of new customization options
Among the big features of iOS 18 , apart from Apple Intelligence , are the new customization options . For the first fourth dimension , iPhone users are able to custom-make their home cover likewise to how those on Android can .
With iOS 18 , exploiter canplace their apps and whatchamacallit anywhere on the home cover power system . Previously , you ’d have to employ some workaround apps or the Shortcut app to make a “ blank ” picture to place in between app picture to make a space . Now , iOS 18 lets you put those icons and thingmabob in any space you ’d like . This will open up up a whole young world of home screen customization and bring it even closer to Android than ever before .
Not only that , but Apple now has a “ dark mode ” theme for app picture as well . If you have dark musical mode enabled on your iPhone with Io 18,your app icons get a dark - themed overlayto make home screenland icons prosperous on the eyes . There is also a new app ikon tinting feature that lease you vary the icons ’ color to match your wallpaper or whatever color you feel like using .
ultimately , if you do n’t like the size of the app icons and widgets , you could line up their size to make them large . It ’s a bunch of special tools , and it ’s all very good news for customization fans .
A redesigned Control Center
Control Center has remained the same for many years , but Io 18 gave it a much - call for revamp .
The Control Center now has even more restraint available to you , which you could add as you see fit . you could rearrange the order of the controls , even the default options , and you could now have multiple page and groups of dominance . Developers can also create ascendency for their apps that you may add in the Control Center , and you may align the size for each mastery according to your preferences .
last , you could swap out the lock cover control for whatever you desire , including third - party apps that are supported . So you are no longer stuck with just the flashlight and camera . The Action button can also be used to get at the unexampled controls .
Big changes to Apple Photos
Apple is giving Photos abigrefresh this year with iOS 18 .
With Apple Photos , you ’ll have a new unified view rather than separate tabloid and section . The Photo Library will still be the main focus , and to view additional content , you just swipe down . The spare content includes collections of images that would be under the For You tab from before , as well as any album that you create .
The new Photos app has new filter and sorting options , which can help you find what you ’re looking for faster . The sorting options include late add or by capture date . The filters include Favorites , Edited , Photos , Videos , and Screenshots . Once a filter is selected , it will display your point in that category .
A big focal point of the new Photos app is Collections . These are “ smart ” groups of photograph and videos based on subject , location , eccentric , and other parameters in the metadata . In iOS 18 , you’re able to convert the order in which these collections appear under the Photo Library grid or even remove a assemblage entirely . If you like a Collection , it can be pinned for easy access code .
As note in short , Apple Intelligence is in the Photos app as well . If you ’re using an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence , you ’ll have access tothe raw Clean Up photo - editing tool , which will get rid of unwanted people and objects in your photos . The search is also improved to understand natural language and get more specific search outcome . in conclusion , Memory Maker uses Apple Intelligence to create a custom Memory Movie using existing photograph and videos by just entering a command prompt .
Lots of new Messages features
The Messages app receive some big improvements as well with iOS 18 .
The most significant variety is the financial support ofRCS messagingfor better communicating between iPhone and Android users . With RCS electronic messaging , you get end - to - end encryption , read receipts , typing index number , and — good of all — mellow - timber image and video transference . So , when your mechanical man - using friend sends you a video , it will no longer be a blurry , pixelated mess the size of a stamp mold ! RCS content will still have green bubble , though .
Other updates for Messages include rich school text data format , new spiritedness styles , and the power to send texts via orbiter , expend any emoji or sticker as a Tapback reaction , and the ability toschedule text edition substance for later . If you have an iPhone with Apple Intelligence , you may also use Image Playground to engender contextual images and create individualized Genmoji .
Your iPhone has a new password manager
While Apple has allowed drug user to keep passwords store in Keychain for the retiring few years , get at those economise passwords was a number hard with Keychain tucked off in the options app . Thankfully , that ’s a bit loose on iOS 18 with the novel Passwords app .
The Passwords app has a layout similar to the Reminders app , with category tile and a lookup bar at the top . If you have already been using Keychain , then all of your saved logins and countersign will be here , and you’re able to just authenticate with Touch ID or Face ID .
Once you select a password to consider , it will show you thing like land site or app name , username , login , substantiation code , websites , billet , and more . you could add a raw entry at any time , delete existing passwords , delete them , and even sort them by date edited or created , website , or deed .
All password in the Passwords app will be synced via iCloud Keychain , and you may get to the Passwords app on your iPhone , iPad , Apple Vision Pro , and Mac . Apple is also tot up a Passwords app to iTunes for Windows at a later date .
Those who use otherpassword manager apps , like 1Password or LastPass , will be able to spell their passwords later , but Apple has not set up a solid escort for that feature just yet .
Other updates/features in iOS 18
As you’re able to see , iOS 18 is pack with changes , but we just went over the prominent ones . Here ’s a quick rundown of some pocket-size unity to also keep an eye out for .
The Mail app has a fresh Primary category in the unified inbox that will rivet on time - sensible e-mail from those who weigh the most to you . It will also group email from the same transmitter , such as revenue , marketing electronic mail , and newssheet from one fellowship .
Safari features Highlights , which notice relevant information on a varlet and highlights it while you pasture it . The Reader opinion has also been redesigned to be smarter , with a tabular array of contents and eminent - level summarisation . We havea closer look at all of the Safari change .
In Maps , you’re able to download topographical maps and trail web , save tramp for offline admittance , and even create custom walk and hike routes . For gamers , the new Game Mode maximizes your equipment ’s performance by minimizing backdrop action and sustaining systematically high build charge per unit . This mode also dramatically reduces audio latency when using AirPods , making wireless game controllers more responsive .
Apple Wallet now has Tap to Cash , which lets you bring your iPhone up to another iPhone to send money with Apple Cash instantly . There is also backup for advantage platform and installment plans in Apple Wallet , as well as redesigned event ticket that include an event pathfinder .
HomeKit users get some cool new things with the Home app , such as grant specific controls with Edgar Guest access and manus - destitute unlock with Express Mode . Finally , eligible Pacific Gas and Electric Company customer can look at their dwelling electrical energy usage directly in the Home app .
