iOS 18 is released: here’s what’s new

Apple has released iOS 18. The new version of the OS is now available to all iPhone users. Despite the focus on artificial intelligence (AI), the Apple Intelligence features did not make it into this release. They will appear with the iOS 18.1 update, initially in the USA and later in other markets.

What’s new:

The main focus of iOS 18 is on personalization. New features include the ability to change app icons, an updated Control Center with four customizable pages, and support for hidden and locked apps.

Users can adjust the size and placement of icons on the screen and remove text labels, providing greater control over the home screen. Additionally, on the Lock Screen, you can now replace standard app shortcuts, such as the Camera, with third-party apps.

To enhance privacy, iOS 18 introduces the ability to lock apps using Face ID, Touch ID, or a password, and also to hide them from the home screen in a special folder.

Significant changes have also been made to the Photos app, which now offers more options for organizing images. While some users find the new design challenging to navigate, Apple continues to make adjustments.

Support for RCS has been added, allowing iPhone and Android users to exchange high-quality media files, see typing indicators, and receive read receipts.

The Safari browser has received new features to enhance web browsing. Highlights now intelligently displays important information, such as addresses or summaries, while the revamped Reader mode offers more ways to enjoy articles with a simplified view, summaries, and a table of contents for long articles.

The Passwords app is now available as a standalone application, making it easier to access saved passwords, though it is less feature-rich compared to other third-party password managers.

Other new features include:

• Message Scheduling: Users can now schedule messages to be sent at a later time.
• Enhanced Multilingual Keyboards: Improved support for multiple languages on keyboards.
• Audio Transcriptions in Notes: The ability to transcribe audio notes into text.
• Advanced Mathematical Equations in Calculator: Support for complex mathematical equations in the Calculator app.
• Offline Topographic Maps in Apple Maps: Apple Maps can now save topographic maps for offline use and create custom routes for walks and hikes.