Apple has announced the release of iOS 18, introducing many new features for iPhone users. The centerpiece of this update is the AI-powered “Apple Intelligence,” which aims to revolutionize user experience, but that’s not all. iOS 18 also brings a fully customizable Control Center, enhanced password management, and updates to the Messages app and Apple Notes.
Apple Intelligence – AI-Powered Innovation
The standout feature of iOS 18 is “Apple Intelligence,” Apple’s AI solution that primarily operates on-device to enhance the user experience while ensuring privacy. This includes text generation, rewriting, and proofreading capabilities, allowing more flexible responses to user inputs. Another notable addition is “Priority Notifications,” which automatically prioritizes notifications, displaying the most important ones at the top.
In addition, the AI supports call recording with transcription and image generation, allowing users to create images directly from text. There’s also a “Clean Up” feature, similar to Google’s “Magic Eraser,” that removes unwanted elements from photos, improving their quality effortlessly. Apple Intelligence is optimized for the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro models, though some features may be limited on older devices.
Overhauled Password Management App
With iOS 18, Apple has significantly enhanced its password management tools. The previously integrated password manager is now a standalone app called “Passwords,” available not only on iPhones but also on Windows through iCloud. This app allows for the secure storage of passwords and passkeys, and now includes a feature to share Wi-Fi passwords via QR codes.
Additionally, the new password manager seamlessly syncs across other Apple devices, centralizing all login information. Apple has also strengthened encryption to reduce the risk of password leaks, focusing on balancing convenience and security for users.
Customizable Control Center and Home Screen
iOS 18 introduces a fully customizable Control Center, allowing users to rearrange frequently used features and remove unnecessary ones. Previously, some elements of the Control Center were fixed, but this limitation has been removed with the latest update. Users can now place commonly used functions within thumb’s reach, which many will find convenient.
The customization options for the home screen have also been expanded. Apps can now be freely arranged anywhere on the screen, allowing for more flexible layouts, such as grouping apps at the bottom half of the screen to emphasize wallpapers. Users can also adjust app icon colors to match wallpapers, creating a more cohesive design.
New Features in Messages and Apple Notes
The Messages app has seen significant improvements, particularly in how it interacts with Android users. With support for RCS (Rich Communication Services), iOS 18 enables higher-quality image and video sharing, as well as smooth group chat functionality. The update also introduces message scheduling, allowing users to send messages at specific times.
Apple Notes has been upgraded to include basic calculator functions for managing expenses and performing simple calculations. Additionally, on devices equipped with Apple Intelligence, users can record voice memos, which are automatically transcribed into text. A new section-folding feature has also been added, making it easier to organize long notes efficiently.