On Monday, Apple launched iOS 18, the latest iteration of its software for iPhones, in an official announcement. Apple had previously shared the features contained in iOS 18 on its website. Now, the update is rolling out and is available for download in the ‘Settings’ panel of the iPhone X and higher iPhone series.

The new iOS 18 introduces several features, including improved customization, privacy, and cross-platform communication. 

Personalization with custom icons 

Apple has rolled out advanced customization options in iOS 18. iPhone users can rearrange and resize icons on their home screens. This gives users more freedom to design their phone screens based on their preferences. Users can change the color of app icons and widgets, switch between light and dark modes, or tint icons if they like. 

In addition to creating custom icons, third-party developers can also release their icons to users.

Redesigned ‘Control Center’

Apple’s iOS 18 comes with a redesigned Control Center. The new design features four groups: favorites, music, home controls, and connectivity. Users can customize this interface by adding or removing pages and icons. 

The update extends to the Lock Screen as well. iPhone users can now replace default shortcuts, like the camera, with third-party apps, access their favorite controls through the action button, and for the first time, they can customize the lock screen controls or remove them.

Improved privacy and security features with the ‘Passwords’ app

Apple also introduced a new password management app. Apple claims the app allows for easier storage, management, and access to login credentials. With iOS 18, users can secure apps with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. They can also hide their passwords from the home screen in a new hidden app folder within the app library. 

Apple says passwords are protected by strong end-to-end encryption, sync smoothly across devices, and notify users if a password is weak, reused, or found in a data breach.

Improvements to the iPhone ‘Photos’ app 

The iOS 18 update also includes improvements to the Photos app. Users can now explore their photo library through a single-page view with organized collections, including new features like “Recent Days, People & Pets, and Trips.”

Users can also manage and access images and pin favorite collections for quick access.

Cross-platform features with Rich Communication Services

Apple’s iOS 18 comes with Rich Communication Services (RCS) support. This feature will allow iPhone users to share and exchange media, including photos and videos, with Android users. 

Although messages from Android will still appear as green bubbles, this feature is expected to enhance cross-platform communication. In the Messages app, users can bold or italicize text and react to messages with a wider range of emojis. The update also includes call recording and transcription of live calls.

Message scheduling feature

iOS 18 also allows users to schedule messages for future delivery and send messages in remote areas without a cellular network using the satellite messaging capability. It also introduces new text effects and formatting options in iMessage. 

Other features coming out soon 

Apple has confirmed that some of its Apple Intelligence features will arrive with iOS 18.1 next month. These tools will include the ability to rewrite and summarize text, generate images using ‘Image Playground,’ and a more conversational experience with Siri. 

Last week, it announced that it would introduce a new ‘visual intelligence’ feature on its upcoming iPhone 16 models.