iOS 18 makes iPhone more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever
The release introduces all-new customization options, the biggest-ever redesign of Photos, powerful updates for staying connected, and
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![iOS 18 brings new ways to customize iPhone, additional ways to stay connected in Messages, the biggest-ever redesign on the Photos app, and so much more. (Photo: Business Wire)](https://mms.businesswire.com/media/20240610077686/en/2154921/4/iOS-18.jpg)
iOS 18 brings new ways to customize iPhone, additional ways to stay connected in Messages, the biggest-ever redesign on the Photos app, and so much more. (Photo: Business Wire)
iOS 18 also introduces
“We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18. It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customization and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone,” said
New Levels of Customization and Capability
iPhone users have new ways to customize the Home Screen,
Control Center has been redesigned to provide easier access to many of the things users do every day, and it gets new levels of customization and flexibility. The redesign delivers quick access to new groups of a user’s most-utilized controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily swipe between each. Users can now add controls from supported third-party apps into Control Center to quickly unlock a vehicle or jump right into capturing content for social media — all from one place. The new controls gallery displays the full set of available options, and users can customize how the controls are laid out, including adjusting them to the ideal size and creating entirely new groups.
For the first time, users can now switch the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, including choosing from options available in the controls gallery or removing them entirely. With the Action button available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, users can quickly invoke controls available in the gallery.
Photos Gets a Unified View, New Collections, and Customization
Photos receives its biggest-ever redesign to help users easily find and relive special moments. A simplified, single view displays a familiar grid, and new collections help users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums. Plus, collections can be pinned to keep favorites easily accessible. A new carousel view presents highlights that update each day and feature favorite people, pets, places, and more. Autoplaying content throughout the app brings libraries to life, so past moments can be enjoyed while browsing. Because each user’s photo library is unique, the app is customizable, so users can organize collections, pin collections to access frequently, and include what’s most important to them in the carousel view.
Powerful Ways to Stay Connected in Messages
iMessage receives all-new text effects that bring conversations to life by amplifying any letter, word, phrase, or emoji with dynamic, animated appearances. Users can better express tone by adding formatting like bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough. Tapbacks expand to include any emoji or sticker, and now users can compose a message and schedule to send it at a later time.
When messaging contacts who do not have an
iOS 18 introduces Messages via satellite for the times when cellular and Wi-Fi connections aren’t available. Powered by the same groundbreaking technology as existing iPhone satellite capabilities, Messages via satellite automatically prompts users to connect to their nearest satellite right from the Messages app to send and receive texts, emoji, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS.3 With Dynamic Island®, users always know when they are connected to a satellite. Because iMessage was built to protect user privacy, iMessages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted.
Enhancements to Mail
Later this year, Mail will introduce new ways for users to manage their inbox and stay up to date. On-device categorization organizes and sorts incoming email into Primary for personal and time-sensitive emails, Transactions for confirmations and receipts, Updates for news and social notifications, and Promotions for marketing emails and coupons. Mail also features a new digest view that pulls together all of the relevant emails from a business, allowing users to quickly scan for what’s important in the moment.
Big Updates to Safari
Safari®, the world’s fastest browser,4 now offers an even easier way to discover information on the web with Highlights and a redesigned Reader experience. Using machine learning, Safari can surface key information about a webpage. For example, users can review a summary to get the gist of an article; quickly see the location of a restaurant, hotel, or landmark; or listen to an artist’s track right from an article about the song or album. Reader has been redesigned to offer even more ways to enjoy articles without distraction, with a summary and table of contents included for longer articles.
Introducing the Passwords App
Building on the foundation of Keychain®, which was first introduced more than 25 years ago, the new Passwords app makes it easy for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes. The app also includes alerts for users regarding common weaknesses, such as passwords that are easily guessed or used multiple times and those that appear in known data leaks.
New Privacy Features Designed to Empower Users
iOS 18 gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories.
Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others. Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder. When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app are hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system.
iOS 18 puts users in control by letting them choose to share only specific contacts with an app. In addition, developers now have a way to seamlessly connect third-party accessories with iPhone without letting an app see all the other devices on a user’s network, keeping a user’s devices private and making pairing seamless.
Deeply integrated into iOS 18 and built with privacy from the ground up,
New image capabilities make communication and self-expression even more fun. With
Memories in Photos lets users create the stories they want to see just by typing a description.
With the power of
With Private
Additionally, access to ChatGPT is integrated into Siri and systemwide Writing Tools across Apple’s platforms, allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.
Additional features in iOS 18 include:
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In
Apple Maps, users can browse thousands of hikes across national parks inthe United States and easily create their own custom walking routes, which they can access offline. Maps users can also save their favorite national park hikes, custom walking routes, and locations to an all-newPlaces Library and add personal notes about each spot. - Game Mode enhances the gaming experience with more consistent frame rates, especially during long play sessions, and makes wireless accessories like AirPods® and game controllers incredibly responsive.
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Users get new ways to pay with
Apple Pay®, including the ability to redeem rewards and access installments from their eligible credit or debit cards.5 With Tap to Cash™, users can send and receiveApple Cash® by simply holding two iPhone devices together.6 -
Tickets in
Apple Wallet® bring a richer experience for fans, putting key event information like stadium details, recommendedApple Music® playlists, and more at their fingertips.7 -
SharePlay™ with
Apple Music allows even more users to share control of music playing from HomePod®,Apple TV®, or any Bluetooth-enabled speaker, making listening together more fun and engaging. -
The AirPods experience gets even more personal, private, and convenient with Siri Interactions, allowing AirPods Pro® (2nd generation) users to simply nod their head yes or gently shake their head no to respond to Siri announcements. For even clearer call quality, Voice Isolation comes to AirPods Pro, ensuring the caller’s voice is heard in loud or windy environments. AirPods updates also provide the best wireless audio latency
Apple has ever delivered for mobile gaming, and add Personalized Spatial Audio for even more immersive gameplay. - In the Notes app, formulas and equations entered while typing are solved instantly with Math Notes. New collapsible sections and highlighting make it easier to emphasize what’s important.
- In Journal, an all-new insights view helps users keep track of their journaling goals, and the ability to search and sort entries makes it easy to enjoy past memories. Time spent journaling can be saved as mindful minutes in the Health app, and users can log their state of mind right in Journal. A Journal widget is now available for users to quickly start an entry from the Home Screen or Lock Screen, audio recordings are automatically transcribed, and users can export and print journal entries.
- Calendar becomes even more helpful by showing both events and tasks from Reminders. Users can create, edit, and complete reminders right from Calendar, and the updated month view provides an overview of events and tasks at a glance.
- In the Health app, Medical ID has been redesigned to make it even easier for first responders to find the most important information in an emergency. The Health app can help users better understand their data during pregnancy by making adjustments and recommendations to reflect changes in their physical and mental health.
- Emergency SOS Live Video allows users to share context through streaming video and recorded media. In the middle of an emergency call, participating emergency dispatchers can send a request for a user to share live video or media from the user’s camera roll over a secure connection, making it easier and faster to get help.
- The Home app introduces guest access, providing users with easy ways to grant guests control of select smart home accessories, set schedules for when guests can access the home, and more. For an effortless home entry experience, hands-free unlock with home keys leverages Ultra Wideband technology to allow users to instantly open supported entry locks as soon as they are six feet away from their door. With convenient updates to the Energy category, the Home app makes it easier for eligible users to access, understand, and make more informed decisions about their home electricity use.
- Accessibility updates include Eye Tracking, a built-in option for navigating iPhone with just eyes; Music Haptics, a new way for users who are deaf or hard of hearing to experience music using the Taptic Engine® in iPhone; and Vocal Shortcuts that enable users to perform tasks by making a custom sound.
Availability
The developer beta of iOS 18 is available through the
-
Messages via satellite will be available in iOS 18 along with Apple’s existing satellite features in the
U.S. on iPhone 14 and later. -
Users with an eligible iPhone, iPad, or Mac, and Siri and device language set to English (
U.S. ) can sign up this fall to access theApple Intelligence beta. - SMS availability will depend on carrier. Carrier fees may apply. Users should check with their carrier for details.
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Testing was conducted by
Apple inMay 2023 . See apple.com/safari for more information. -
The new
Apple Pay features are available on cards from participating banks and card providers in certain markets. Subject to eligibility and approval. -
Apple Cash services are provided byGreen Dot Bank , Member FDIC, and only available in theU.S. on eligible devices. Learn more about the terms and conditions. To send and receive money with anApple Cash account, users must be 18 and aU.S. resident, or if under 18, part of anApple Cash Family account. Tap to Cash transaction limits are subject to change, including lowering limits, at any time during the developer or public betas without notice. -
Ticket enhancements in
Apple Wallet are available for events from participating ticket issuers.
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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240610077686/en/
nhaija@apple.com
Tania Olkhovaya
tolkhovaya@apple.com
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