Apple has just released iOS 18, and while it may not be the largest update in terms of sheer number of features, the quality of improvements and innovations makes it one of the most significant iOS updates to date. Whether you’re looking to customize your home screen, enhance your phone’s security, or take advantage of new productivity tools, this article will walk you through the best new features to explore first.
1. Enhanced Home Screen Customization
One of the most notable changes in iOS 18 is the ability to customize your home screen more than ever before. By entering jiggle mode (tap and hold on your home screen), you now have the option to customize your layout with new levels of flexibility.
- Icon Sizes: Choose between small or large icons. Small icons keep the traditional view with app names, while large icons remove the labels and offer a cleaner look.
- Icon Tints and Colors: You can switch between light, dark, or automatic modes (which adjust based on the time of day), and even apply a color tint to your entire home screen.
- Freeform Icon Placement: For the first time, you can move apps anywhere on the grid, no longer needing to fill rows from top to bottom.
- Interactive Widgets: Some apps, like Notes, now offer multiple widget options—small, medium, or large—directly from the app icon.
2. App Lock with Face or Touch ID
One of the most requested features, app locking, is now available in iOS 18. You can lock individual apps behind Face ID or Touch ID, adding an extra layer of security.
- To enable this, tap and hold on any app and select “Require Face ID” (or Touch ID, depending on your device). This locks the app until your identity is verified.
- You can even hide apps entirely from the home screen, making them accessible only from the hidden apps folder after unlocking with Face ID.
3. Customize Lock Screen Shortcuts
In iOS 18, you can now change the default lock screen shortcuts. By tapping and holding to enter customization mode, you can replace the flashlight and camera buttons with shortcuts to other apps.
- From the lock screen, tap the empty shortcut icon and choose any app you want to access instantly without unlocking your phone. This is a huge improvement from iOS 17, which limited your customization options.
4. Overhauled Control Center
The Control Center in iOS 18 has been completely redesigned, making it easier to manage your frequently used features and add custom controls.
- You can now rearrange icons, stretch them for larger controls, and add new features using the “Add Control” option.
- Developers can also add their own app-specific controls to the Control Center, giving you even more ways to customize your experience.
5. Messages App Updates: RCS Support and More
A long-awaited feature has arrived in iOS 18: RCS Messaging support. This allows iPhone and Android users to communicate with end-to-end encryption, high-resolution image sharing, and read receipts.
- iOS 18 also adds more animated text effects and improves Tapbacks, now suggesting relevant emojis for quick replies.
- Another great addition is the ability to schedule messages. Just tap the send later option and choose the exact time for your message to be delivered.
6. Safari Improvements and Reader Mode
Safari has received significant updates in iOS 18, making it a more powerful and user-friendly browser. Notable improvements include:
- A redesigned Reader View with easier access to frequently used options.
- The new “Hide Distracting Items” feature allows you to remove specific elements from a webpage, making reading more enjoyable.
7. Dedicated Password Manager App
iOS 18 introduces a dedicated Password Manager app, consolidating all your login credentials, passkeys, and two-factor authentication codes in one place. This new app is more than just a rehash of the password section from settings—it’s a fully integrated tool for managing your digital security.
- You can generate and manage two-factor authentication codes, view saved Wi-Fi credentials, and share login details with family members or colleagues through password groups.
8. Live Audio Transcription in Notes
The Notes app in iOS 18 now supports live audio transcription, allowing you to record audio and get an instant transcript. This feature works on iPhone 12 or newer models and is currently available in English.
- You can also perform basic math calculations directly within a note by typing simple equations, making Notes more useful for tracking numbers on the go.
9. Calendar and Reminders Integration
Calendar and Reminders are now more seamlessly integrated. When creating an event in Calendar, you can opt to create a reminder instead, and it will automatically appear in both apps.
- This new feature streamlines your task management, allowing reminders to be created with preset dates and times, and marking them as completed directly from the Calendar app.
10. Photos App Redesign
Apple has completely overhauled the Photos app in iOS 18, making it easier to organize, edit, and share your pictures and videos. There are many new features, including photo sorting, enhanced memories, and improved editing tools. Due to the significant updates, we’ve created a separate guide dedicated to the new Photos app.
