Apple’s iOS 18 update offers security fixes, customization options, and new features.

Apple released iOS 18 to the general public on Sept. 16, a week after the company announced its new iPhone 16 lineup, Apple Watch Series 10 and more at its September event. The update brings many new features to your iPhone, including upgrades to Messages and more ways to customize your home screen. It also lets you change or remove the controls on your lock screen.

Apple has just released iOS 18 to the public, and while this update may not boast a huge array of new features, the improvements it brings are undeniably significant. The new additions, especially in terms of user experience, are impressive. If you’ve just downloaded iOS 18 and are wondering where to start, I’ve got you covered with an overview of the most exciting features you should try out first.

One of the most noteworthy features is the enhanced ability to customize your home screen. You can now personalize it more than ever before. By tapping and holding the home screen to enter “jiggle mode,” you’ll notice new options to customize and edit pages. These new tools allow you to adjust app layouts, change icon sizes, and even apply color tints. You can switch between light and dark themes automatically based on the time of day. The freedom to rearrange app tiles anywhere on the grid, rather than stacking them from top left to bottom right, adds a new level of flexibility to your home screen setup. Additionally, you can apply widgets with various size options depending on the app, further enhancing the visual and functional appeal of your home screen.

Security enhancements also shine in iOS 18. Now, you can lock any app behind Face or Touch ID, adding an extra layer of protection to the apps you want to keep private. If that’s not enough, you can even hide apps from your home screen entirely, making them accessible only through a hidden folder that requires Face ID to open. This double layer of security ensures your sensitive apps stay private and secure.

Another fantastic update is the new level of customization available for your lock screen. The torch and camera buttons at the bottom of the lock screen can now be replaced with shortcuts to any app. You can even choose what apps or shortcuts you want to access directly from the lock screen. For those who enjoy tinkering with their phones, this feature is a game-changer.

iOS 18 also introduces significant changes to Control Center. It now has a more intuitive design, with new icons and additional control options, including the ability for app developers to add their own controls. This allows for a more personalized experience as you decide what functions and apps you want at your fingertips.

RCS (rich communication services) messaging is now supported in the Messages app, allowing iPhone and Android users to communicate with features like end-to-end encryption, high-resolution media sharing, and more. This feature is highly anticipated and ensures smoother communication between different platforms.

For Safari users, the redesigned reader view and privacy options make it an even better browsing experience. You can now hide distracting items on websites, remove ads, and enjoy a more streamlined reading experience.

iOS 18 also features a dedicated password manager app, making it easier to manage your login credentials, passwords, and security codes. This new app simplifies password management, adding convenience for those juggling multiple accounts.

In terms of app improvements, the Notes app now supports live audio transcription, which allows you to record audio and view real-time transcriptions. This feature is especially useful for meetings, lectures, or quick voice memos.

Overall, iOS 18 focuses on improving the user experience with well-thought-out enhancements to customization, security, messaging, and more. There’s plenty more to explore in this update, and future iterations promise to add even more exciting features. Whether it’s upgrading your home screen’s look or locking down sensitive apps, iOS 18 offers plenty of ways to tailor your iPhone experience. Keep an eye out for iOS 18.1, which will introduce Apple Intelligence, bringing even more to the table!

iOS 18: How to Make It (Really) Useful

Apple has just released iOS 18 for iPhone and it packs a lot of awesome new features. Including insane customisation, new flashlight, new control center, Apple Intelligence, iMessage features, and so much more. Let me show you how to actually make it really useful with these hidden features and tips and tricks.

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Today, I want to show you how to make iOS 18 even more useful by exploring some new features you may have never seen before. This guide will take iOS 18 to the next level, starting with the lock screen. You likely already know that you can customize the two lock screen buttons, typically the flashlight and camera. However, you can now tap on these buttons, remove them, and add new controls. For instance, by tapping on “Shortcut,” you can set up a custom menu with shortcuts to silence your phone, call someone, or even use apps like Shazam without unlocking your phone. This feature minimizes distractions while still providing quick access to essential functions.

Another powerful tool is the ability to open an app directly from the lock screen. By selecting “Open App” instead of “Shortcut,” you can assign any app to the lock screen. For example, you can set it to open your favorite entertainment app with a single tap, allowing you to start watching shows like SpongeBob SquarePants without unlocking your phone. Other useful options include adding shortcuts for alarms, dark mode, and quick notes, or enabling voice memos for journalists who need instant access.

iOS 18 also introduces a redesigned flashlight. By holding down the flashlight button, a sleek new animation appears, and you can swipe to adjust the brightness or width of the light beam. Although subtle, this UI update is a visually pleasing improvement. Additionally, the control center has been completely redesigned, making it easier to use key functions like the new power-off feature, which eliminates the need to press physical buttons.

One of the standout features is the new Passwords app, which allows you to generate a QR code for your Wi-Fi network. This makes sharing access with guests incredibly simple. Just generate the code, screenshot it, and let people scan it to connect instantly. Another helpful addition is the battery charging limit, which helps preserve your battery health by capping the charge at 80% or 90%, depending on your preference.

The Photos app has also received significant updates, including a new editing UI that allows you to toggle between light and dark modes while editing. This doesn’t affect your system-wide settings but offers flexibility when working with photos of different brightness levels. If you own an iPhone 15 Pro or 16 Pro, the action button now provides more customization options, such as launching apps like Translate, activating airplane mode, or taking a quick note—all with a simple tap.

Customization is also key to the home screen in iOS 18. You can now enlarge app icons for a minimalist look, hide app names, or switch between light and dark modes. You can also dim your wallpaper or customize it with vibrant colors that complement your icons. Adding widgets is now easier too; simply hold down on an app, and you’ll be given the option to convert it into a widget without navigating menus. Additionally, you can hide apps and even lock them with Face ID for extra privacy.

Gamers will appreciate the new gaming mode, which optimizes performance and reduces overheating during gameplay. The control center now features a toggle for game mode, allowing you to switch it on or off easily. Even Apple TV+ has introduced an insightful feature that identifies actors in real-time while you’re watching, providing background information on their filmography.

Lastly, iOS 18 introduces some clever updates to existing apps like the calculator, which now includes a history tab and undo button, and the scientific calculator. The Weather app can now automatically mark your home and work locations, making it easier to track weather conditions in those places without manually entering them.

With all these enhancements, iOS 18 is designed to make your iPhone more personalized, efficient, and powerful than ever before. Whether you’re setting up shortcuts, improving your home screen, or enjoying new gaming features, these updates will undoubtedly take your iOS experience to the next level.