Apple’s iOS 18 operating system is expected to be officially launched on September 17, 2024. This new system will bring a range of new features and improvements, including more personalized customization options, a redesigned Photos app, enhanced functionality for the Messages app, and a brand new personal intelligence system called Apple Intelligence. iOS 18 will support all models from the second-generation iPhone SE and later, including the newly released iPhone 16 series, making it compatible with 27 iPhone models.
The following are the eight key new features included in the iOS 18 update：
Customizable Home Screen
iOS 18 allows you to place app icons anywhere on the Home Screen grid, and there are new “Dark” and “Tinted” customization options for recoloring app icons. You can also set app icons to appear larger, without text labels below them.
Redesigned Control Center
The Control Center has been redesigned on iOS 18. Like the Home Screen, it is now more customizable, allowing you to rearrange and resize controls across multiple pages. You can easily add more controls from the all-new controls gallery.
iMessage Enhancements
iOS 18 has introduced a wide range of new features for iMessage, including the ability to use any emoji as a Tapback reaction, text effects like “Shake” and “Explode,” formatting options like bold and underline, the ability to schedule messages to be sent later, RCS support for improved messaging with Android devices, and more.
Redesigned Photos App
Apple says the Photos app has undergone its most significant redesign ever on iOS 18, with tabs removed in favor of an all-in-one layout. The changes have been controversial, leading Apple to tweak the app’s design throughout the iOS 18 beta testing period.
Locks Apps Behind Face ID
iOS 18 introduces the ability to lock any app behind Face ID, Touch ID, or an iPhone’s passcode for privacy and security purposes. In addition, you can now hide an app, which moves it to a hidden apps folder that is locked.
Passwords App
iOS 18 includes an all-new Passwords app that surfaces many features previously available through the iCloud Keychain in the Settings app. The app makes it easier to manage passwords, passkeys, two-factor authentication codes, and more.
Distraction Control
Built into Safari, the new Distraction Control feature can be used to hide some website elements, such as newsletter sign-up forms and cookie permission prompts. However, Apple says the feature is not designed to be an ad blocker. If you hide an ad banner, it will become visible again if and when the content of the ad refreshes.
Game Mode
First introduced on the Mac, Game Mode is now available on the iPhone. Apple says Game Mode “minimizes background activity to sustain consistently high frame rates” during gameplay, “dramatically reduces” audio latency with AirPods, and makes wireless game controllers “incredibly responsive.”
