At this year’s WWDC 2024, Apple has once again raised the bar by introducing iOS 18, its next-generation mobile operating system. Developers can get their hands on it now, with public beta testing set for July and a full release slated for this fall. So, what’s new in iOS 18? Let’s dive into the highlights.
Home Screen Personalization
One of the most exciting updates is the increased customization of the iPhone home screen. Finally, users can place app icons anywhere they want, allowing for better reachability and personal expression. Want some blank space at the top with your most-used apps near the dock? Go for it.
Moreover, app icons can now shift from light mode to dark mode, and you can even change their colors. If you prefer a minimalist look, you can hide app labels and keep just the icons. These updates offer a level of personalization previously unseen on iOS, echoing features long available on Android.
Control Center Enhancements
The Control Center also gets a major upgrade in iOS 18. You can now customize its appearance by resizing buttons, grouping items, and more. It features dedicated spaces for music and Home controls, enhancing functionality and ease of use. Plus, you can finally personalize the lock screen shortcuts, moving beyond the default flashlight and camera options.
Smarter Photos App
The Photos app sees significant improvements, too. New tools and conveniences include collections and enhanced filtering options that allow you to browse by people, recent days, pinned galleries, trips, and more—all without manually organizing photos into albums. A new carousel showcases highlights, auto-playing videos, favorite photos, and more, making it easier than ever to relive your memories.
iMessage Upgrades
iMessage users are in for a treat with iOS 18. The app now supports text formatting, new effects, and emoji reactions. Long-awaited RCS support is finally here, along with the ability to send messages via satellite. These updates, alongside improvements to the Mail app and a reworked Safari reading experience, make communication on iOS more robust than ever.
Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT Integration
Apple Intelligence introduces a suite of new features, including a Passwords app that’s also coming to Windows, the ability to lock apps with FaceID, and a native ChatGPT integration. This integration brings system-wide writing tools, image generation, new photo editing capabilities, and a significantly improved Siri. Siri now understands natural language and context better, thanks to AI-powered assistance from ChatGPT.
Availability and Compatibility
iOS 18 is now available as a preview for developers, with a public beta rolling out in July and the full release scheduled for this fall alongside the iPhone 16 Series launch. To run iOS 18, you’ll need an iPhone Xs/Xr or an iPhone SE (2nd generation) or newer.
Stay tuned for more updates and get ready to experience the future of iPhone with iOS 18.
You can learn more about iOS 18 here.
