iOS 18 is AMAZING! – Try These 10 Things First
Apple’s latest software update, iOS 18, is here, and while it may not be the largest update in terms of the number of features, it certainly packs a punch with quality. The new update offers significant quality-of-life improvements and features that will elevate your iPhone experience. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or an average user, there are some must-try features that make this update worth your time.
In this article, we will highlight 10 features you should explore first after downloading iOS 18. From customizations to app security, iOS 18 brings tools that can enhance how you use your iPhone daily. Let’s dive in and discover what makes iOS 18 amazing!
1. Home Screen Customization Like Never Before
The first thing you’ll notice with iOS 18 is the unprecedented ability to customize your home screen. With more control than ever before, you can now truly personalize your device to suit your aesthetic and practical needs.
To start, tap and hold the home screen to enter “jiggle mode.” You’ll find a new “edit” button in the top left, which lets you tweak your home screen in ways previously unavailable.
Key Changes Include:
- Small and Large Icons: You can now choose between small icons with app names underneath or large icons with the names removed. This can declutter your screen if you prefer a minimalistic look.
- Custom Tints: Select from light or dark color schemes, or let it change automatically based on the time of day. Plus, you can tint your entire screen with a color of your choice, adjusting the intensity to fit your style.
- App Grid Flexibility: You’re no longer bound to the traditional top-left alignment. Now, you can move app tiles anywhere on the grid for a more free-flowing design.
This added flexibility in design helps you tailor your iPhone’s appearance and usability to your personal taste. It’s simple but transformative.
2. Lock Apps with Face or Touch ID
Security is a growing concern in the digital age, and iOS 18 steps up by allowing you to lock individual apps with Face ID or Touch ID. This feature has been available in specific apps like banking apps for a while, but now you can apply it to any app you want.
To use this feature, tap and hold on an app, select “require Face ID,” and boom! You’ve added a layer of privacy. You can also hide the app entirely, moving it to the hidden folder accessible only with Face ID. This is a double layer of security for apps you want to keep extra private, like messaging or photo apps.
3. Lock Screen Shortcuts Customization
Another fantastic update in iOS 18 is the ability to customize the quick access buttons on your lock screen. Gone are the days when you were stuck with only the flashlight and camera options.
By holding down the lock screen and entering customize mode, you can now assign different apps or shortcuts to these buttons. For example, you can replace the camera with an app you use frequently, like Notes or a health app. This feature puts more of your favorite tools within reach, making your iPhone even more user-friendly.
4. Revamped Control Center
Apple has completely overhauled the Control Center in iOS 18. Swiping down from the top-right corner still gives you access to your quick settings, but the layout is more customizable and user-friendly than ever.
- New Menus: Each section of the Control Center now has its dedicated page. For example, tapping the heart icon shows your favorites, and tapping the Apple Music icon displays all your music controls.
- Add or Remove Controls: By tapping the plus button in the top left, you can easily add or remove controls. This allows you to tailor your Control Center to include only the settings you use most often, which can streamline your daily tasks.
As app developers can now add their own controls, this feature will continue to grow over time, making it more powerful and customizable.
5. Rich Communication Services (RCS) in Messages
One of the most requested features, RCS messaging, has finally arrived in iOS 18. Rich Communication Services is a protocol that allows for better messaging between iPhones and Androids, ensuring end-to-end encryption, higher quality images, and video sharing.
- You don’t need to do anything to activate it as RCS should work automatically. However, if it isn’t enabled, you can go to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging to enable it.
- Now, iPhone and Android users can enjoy features like read receipts, high-resolution media sharing, and secure messaging even when communicating across platforms.
6. Send Messages Later
With iOS 18, you can now schedule messages to be sent at a later time. This is perfect if you want to compose a message but need to send it at a specific moment, perhaps when you don’t want to wake someone up or you want to hit someone’s inbox at a strategic time.
When typing a message, press the plus button on the left-hand side of the text box and select Send Later. You can then choose the exact time for the message to be sent. If you need to make any changes, you can edit or delete the scheduled message before it sends.
7. Hide Distracting Items in Safari
Safari has also received some major improvements in iOS 18, making it an even better browser for both casual browsing and productivity.
One of the standout features is the Hide Distracting Items function. If you’re reading an article or browsing a website filled with annoying pop-ups or distracting ads, simply tap the review icon in the bottom left corner and select “Hide Distracting Items.” You can remove elements from the page to focus on the content.
This feature makes reading on the web a lot more pleasant and helps cut through the clutter, allowing you to concentrate on what matters.
8. Live Audio Transcription in Notes
The Notes app has always been a favorite for productivity, and it’s been enhanced even further with live audio transcription in iOS 18. If you’ve ever had to type out notes from a meeting or lecture, this feature will be a game changer.
To start, open a note, tap the paperclip icon, and select Record Audio. As you speak, iOS will automatically transcribe your words into text in real-time. This is particularly helpful for capturing ideas quickly or turning spoken meetings into written records.
The transcription feature works on the iPhone 12 and newer models and is currently only available in English. Apple plans to roll it out in more languages over time.
9. Password Manager App
iOS 18 introduces a dedicated Password Manager app. This app consolidates all of your login credentials, passkeys, and two-factor authentication codes into one easily accessible location.
Instead of navigating through the settings menu to find your saved passwords, now you can simply open the Password Manager directly from your home screen or through Spotlight search. It’s a small but incredibly useful addition, especially if you have multiple accounts and passwords to manage.
This app also comes with security recommendations, such as flagging weak or duplicated passwords, and the ability to generate secure codes for websites requiring two-factor authentication. It’s everything related to password management in one place.
10. Improved Photos App
The Photos app has seen its most significant update ever in iOS 18, with several new features aimed at organizing and enhancing your photo library.
Some of the key updates include:
- Hide Distracting Items in Photos: Much like Safari, you can now hide distractions in your photos, such as removing unwanted background objects.
- Photo Summaries: Apple Intelligence can now create summaries of your photo albums, helping you relive important moments without needing to scroll through every image.
Due to the depth of these changes, it’s worth taking the time to explore the new Photos app separately.
Conclusion
iOS 18 is packed with features that enhance both productivity and security, offering significant improvements to the overall iPhone experience. Whether you’re excited about home screen customizations, locking apps with Face ID, or using the revamped Control Center, there’s something for everyone in this update.
Explore these 10 amazing features first, and discover how iOS 18 can make your day-to-day iPhone usage smoother and more enjoyable.
If you’re excited about these new changes, be sure to check out even more features in upcoming updates, including Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.1!
Let us know which feature you’re most excited about in the comments below, and don’t forget to share your experience with iOS 18!
Sources:
- Apple iOS 18 Feature Summary
- The Verge iOS 18 Review