iOS 18 – Everything You Can Expect, From Features To Release Date

You heard us right. iOS 18 is just around the corner and we know that as an existing iOS user, you are all pumped to know what this big update has stored in for you. Strap your seatbelts as we let you in on everything Apple confirmed about iOS 18 at WWDC 2024. We’ll run you through everything – iOS 18 compatible devices, the predicted features, and even the release date.

Compatible Devices – Is Your Device Compatible?

iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

Features

1. Apple Intelligence – AI That’s More Context Aware

Apple will introduce Apple Intelligence on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max which will draw on your personal context. Here’s what the AI will be capable of –

• Minimize redundant notifications and prioritize important ones.
• Create expressive images, custom movie memories, and unique Genmoji.
• Enhanced language capabilities.
• Summarize text in a matter of seconds.
• Shorten long group threads.

Siri Draws Power From Apple Intelligence

If until now you had qualms that Siri is more machine than human, maybe now you won’t as it will bank on Apple intelligence. To begin with, it will come with a richer language understanding and will build on your personal context. Also, you will be able to type in Siri at your convenience.

2. Customization – Protection Based Customization

With iOS 18, you will be able to personalize your home screen’s layout like never before. This is what you’ll experience –

• The new Dark look will make App icons and widgets appear sleeker.
• Make app icons and widgets complement your wallpaper by tinting the icons and matching their color with your wallpaper. You will also be able to make them appear larger.
• Protect sensitive apps (and the information) by locking apps behind Face ID, Touch ID, and your passcode.
• Control Center will feature new groups of controls that can be accessed with a single, continuous swipe down on the Home Screen. Furthermore, it will organize all your controls in one place.
• The controls will also be available from the lock screen. For instance, you can swap a camera and flashlight for different controls. To invoke these controls, you will be able to use the action button on your iPhone 15 Pro.

3. Photos – Access Memories Faster

Photos app is all set to have one of the biggest revamps. Here’s how you will be able to relive those special moments-

• Organize the library by topics such as Trips, People & Pets, and Recent Days and access photos faster.
• Dynamic carousel view that highlights content in a beautiful poster view and updates each day featuring favorite pets, people, places, and more.
• Enjoy past moments while browsing.

4. Messages – Send Messages Even Without Wi-Fi or Cellular Service

iMessage will certainly not be the same with the iOS 18 update.

From text effects to scheduling messages, RCS messaging, and a lot more, Apple seems to have enhanced its messaging game for you to stay connected –

• Schedule a message and send it at a later time.
• On iPhone 14 or later, send messages even in the absence of cellular or Wi-Fi service. While messaging, enjoy features like emoji, Tapbacks, and messages. And, worry not about security as all sent messages will be end-to-end encrypted.
• RCS messages, short for Rich Communication Services messages, bring richer read receipts and media and delivery for non-iMessage users.

5. Mail – You Will Be Able to Sort and Segment Your Mails Better

Apple will be bringing a host of enhancements to Mail later this year. Here’s a sneak peek of what you can expect –

• Organize and sort incoming emails into Primary (personal and time-sensitive emails), Transactions (confirmations and receipts), Updates (social and news notifications), and Promotions (marketing emails).
• With the “new digest view,” you’ll be able to quickly scan relevant emails from a business.

6. Safari – Better Browsing Is Round The Corner

Amongst various other facets that are getting revamped, how can Safari, the world’s fastest browser be left behind? It will now offer a browsing and reading experience like never before –

• Grasp key information about a webpage.
• A redesigned reader that summarizes content and shows the table of contents for better understanding.

7. Passwords app – Sync Them Across Devices

The new Passwords app will make it easy for you to access passkeys, passwords, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes.

• Your passwords will be synced securely across the Apple ecosystem – iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Vision Pro. And, even on Windows (iCloud for Windows app)
• The app will alert you about passwords that may be weak or that are used multiple times.
• Do you use the Autofill feature? Your passwords will be added to the Passwords app automatically.

8. Game Mode – For Disturbance-Free Gaming

Passionate gamers are in for a treat. iOS 18 comes with an all-new Game Mode. With it you will be able to experience the following things –

• Reduce background activity so that you can enjoy high frame rates even during hours of gameplay.
• The Game Mode reduces audio latency with AirPods
• Game controllers also become more responsive with minimal lags.

9. Wallet – For Easy Payments

• Tap to cash will make in-person payments quickly as you won’t have to share your email address or phone number. You will be able to authenticate the payment with Touch ID, Face ID, or passcode.
• View and redeem rewards, and points with Apple Pay online, and access installment financing options from your bank.

10. AirPods  – More Private, Personal and Convenient

With iOS 18, Apple has made the AirPods experience even more private, personal, and convenient with Siri interactions. If you have AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) you will be able to –

• Say “Yes” with a gentle nod and “No” with a gentle shake.
• Advanced computational audio will help you sound loud and clear on calls even amidst loud background noise or windy conditions.
• Immersive and latency-free audio during gameplay.

11. Journal

• You will now be able to add a state of mind directly into a journal entry.
• Add the time you spend journaling in the Health app.
• View writing streaks and other stats to fulfill journaling goals.
• Sort journal entries and use the dedicated search to find exactly what you are looking for.

12. Home app

• Guest access will help you manage how and when guests can enter your home by providing access to alarm systems, door locks you select, and garage openers.
• Support for Robot vacuum cleaners.
• Unlock the doors automatically as you approach or by holding your iPhone near the lock.

Other Exciting Notable Features

That’s not all, apart from the features mentioned above, here are a bunch of other interesting things that are going to hit your iPhone as soon as the iOS 18 update begins to roll out –

– Apple Maps

You will be able to see topographic hiking trails and create custom walking routes (accessible offline). What this means is that you will be able to see navigation within that hiking trail apart from screening through other important information at the bottom of the screen.

– Accessibility

This includes Eye Tracking with which you can navigate the iPhone with just your eyes. Music haptics will help users who are deaf or hard of hearing to enjoy music using the Taptics Engine. Vocal Shortcuts will help users perform tasks by making custom sounds.

– Settings

The Settings app is all set to get an upgrade as far as design is concerned. At first glance, the Settings app may look the same. But, as you’ll scroll down it’ll end pretty quickly, and here’s why –  Apple moved everything into a submodule called Apps that relates to apps. This applies to both Apple apps as well as third-party apps.

Release Date

The anticipated iOS 18 is slated to be released this fall. Based on the past trends, we can expect that the new update will begin rolling out in mid-September 2024.

iOS 18 Beta – Prerequisites and How To Download

While the iOS 18 is slated to release in September, you can get your hands on an early developer (iOS 18 Beta) version and enjoy all the wonderful features mentioned above. But, before you download the Beta, it’s important that you weigh in the risks involved first – 

• Developer Beta versions are unstable and full of bugs. 
• Apps and services (especially banking apps) may not work or crash. 
• You may notice performance issues such as the battery draining faster or the phone becoming laggy. 

Now, if you are adventurous and excited enough to go ahead with iOS 18 Beta, let’s quickly guide you on what some prerequisites are and how you can download iOS 18 Beta – 

Prerequisites 

• We recommend that you backup your iPhone so that should something go wrong you can retrieve your data.
• Compatible phones – iPhone XS and above.
• Update your iPhone. It should at least be running iOS 16.4 to download the iOS 18 developer beta (over-the-air update).

How To Download iOS 18 Developer Beta

Step 1 – Ensure your iPhone is running iOS 16.4 or later.

Step 2 – Sign up for the developer beta. To do that, go to the Apple Developer Program webpage, scroll down, and click on Start Your Enrollment. 

Step 3 – Enable the Developer Mode (Settings > Privacy & Security)

Step 4 – Go back to Settings > General > Software Update

Under Automatic Updates, you will see the Beta Updates option

Step 5 – Check to ensure that your Apple ID is at the bottom of the screen. 

Step 6 – Select iOS 18 Developer Beta which you can find under Beta Updates. 

Step 7 – Go back to Settings > General > Software Update. Select the beta update and select Download and Install and follow the on-screen instructions. 

Are You Excited?

Are you all hyped for iOS 18? Sure, you would be. It’s like having a body with a revamped soul – AI-powered Siri, more organized mail, immersive game mode, more customization, and a host of other features.

What feature of iOS 18 are you most looking forward to? Or, is there something that we missed? Do hit us up in the comments section below. For more such content keep reading Tweak Library.