iOS 18: New Features, Design Updates, and Enhanced Accessibility!

Apple’s iOS 18 is set to raise the bar once again, bringing a range of new features, refined design updates, and enhanced accessibility options to the iPhone. With a focus on both user experience and performance, iOS 18 introduces several innovative tools aimed at streamlining tasks, improving device personalisation, and offering more inclusive technology for all users. From redesigned app interfaces to powerful accessibility upgrades, this latest software update promises to deliver a more intuitive and seamless mobile experience for everyday use.

The latest version of iOS was officially released on 16 September 2024, ahead of the iPhone 16 launch on 20 September. Apple users always look forward to new designs and features with each update, but before exploring what's new, let's clarify which devices are eligible. Anyone with an iPhone XR or newer can upgrade, including the iPhone XS and XS Max, but excluding the iPhone X. The iPhone SE (2nd generation or later) will also receive the update. However, Apple Intelligence features, expected to arrive with a later iOS 18.1 or 18.2 update, will be available only on phones powered by the A17 Pro or the new A18 chip. This means that even last year’s iPhone 15 won't support these advanced features, although the iPhone 15 Pro will. Here's a look at the standout updates and features in iOS 18.

Design

Control Centre: For years, Apple users have eagerly anticipated a revamped Control Centre, and it is finally here. Not only is it customisable to your liking, but you can also adjust the size of the widgets, have different pages, and even include shortcuts directly in the Control Centre. Another welcome feature is the ability to power off your phone directly from the Control Centre.

Homescreen & Lockscreen: The homescreen you’ve always wanted is here! Apple has traditionally controlled the layout of your home screen to prevent gaps between app icons, but now you can place your apps anywhere on the grid. You can also enlarge the icons and change their colour, although enlarging the icons removes the text underneath. The colour can be adjusted according to dark mode or a tint of your choosing. App icons can now easily be turned into widgets and vice versa. Previously, you had to press and hold the screen and click the ‘+’ button at the top left, but now you can simply hold the app icon or widget.

Customisation extends to the lock screen as well. Instead of the standard flashlight and camera icons, you can replace them with options like opening an app or even remove the icons altogether. And speaking of the flashlight, you can now adjust the beam width and intensity in the Dynamic Island.

Apple Intelligence

Apple Intelligence was the most anticipated feature of iOS 18. While iOS 18 is here, Apple Intelligence isn’t. Apple is still working on it, but it is expected in the iOS 18.1 or 18.2 update. What we can expect is a redesigned and smarter Siri. Instead of the old-age circle that appears at the bottom of the screen when Siri is activated, the whole screen will now glow. Siri will be much smarter and more responsive; she will understand you even if you stumble on your words or correct her after she’s made a prompt. Siri will also have ChatGPT integration! You will be able to type to Siri if you prefer not to talk, by double-tapping the Home Bar (the small line that replaced the home button on the iPhone).

Apple Intelligence will also include useful features such as summarising your notifications on the lock screen and sorting them by importance and urgency. New smart replies are coming to the Mail app, similar to those in Gmail. Writing tools will also be available, allowing you to write informally and then ask Siri to formalise it. Another exciting feature coming to the Photos app is called Clean Up, which lets you remove people or objects from your photos.

iPhone New Apps

Each year, Apple introduces subtle changes to existing apps, and this year is no different. We also sometimes see new apps, like Journal from last year. This year, we have a new app called Passwords, along with major changes to some existing apps.

Passwords: This app keeps all your saved passwords in one place, including website accounts and WiFi passwords you’ve used in the past. You can also add passwords directly from the app and create QR codes for them, which is handy for sharing your home WiFi password with guests.

Phone & FaceTime: You can now record calls. Not discretely, though; the person on the line will be notified, and all recorded calls are saved to the Notes app. On FaceTime, you can now control someone’s screen remotely to assist with something on their screen, provided they grant permission.

Messages: A new feature in iMessages allows you to schedule messages. There is also improved iMessage support for iPhone to Android messaging, resulting in better image quality.

Photos: The Photos UI has undergone a significant overhaul, making it more intuitive. It’s easier to search for specific objects in photos, new folders are created for you, and wallpaper suggestions are available from your own beautiful photos. New folders include ‘Handwriting’ and ‘Receipts’, making it easier to find receipts and notes.

Camera: You can now record videos in the Camera app without pausing your music.You can also choose to include your music in the video and pause while recording and change the playback speed when editing the video.

Music: The Music app has received minor visual changes and more intuitive adjustments. The shuffle, repeat, and autoplay buttons have been slightly redesigned. A new feature, Music Haptics, makes the phone vibrate to the tune and beat of the song. You can now also have multiple queues at one time and remove multiple songs from a playlist simultaneously.

Settings: The Settings app UI has been significantly revamped and simplified. Important settings like battery settings have been moved to the top. On the iPhone 15 series and later, you can set a limit on how much your phone charges, ranging from 80-100%. Improved search suggestions now show what you were doing before, instead of just previous searches.

Safari: Safari has a new update allowing you to remove parts of the screen or webpage, such as ads and banners. The tabs and settings have been slightly redesigned. The most exciting update will come with Apple Intelligence: ‘Summary Highlight’, which will use Apple Intelligence to summarise the page with relevant information.

Before removing banner vs after removing banner

Files: The Files app has received slight but welcome changes. You can now format a drive directly from the Files app and watch videos easily within the app.

Calendar & Reminders: The Calendar and Reminders apps are now more integrated. Your reminders for the day will appear in the Calendar app, and you can create new reminders from the Calendar. The Calendar app is more intuitive, with options to zoom in and out for more or less information.

Journal: The Journal app now includes features that were missing initially. You can now search for previous entries, add colour or bullet points, view streaks, and see information like the number of entries and total words typed. You can log your ‘State of Mind’ directly from the Journal app, and every minute spent in the app counts towards your ‘Mindfulness’ minutes. Two new widgets have also been added.

Health & Fitness: Both apps have new visual changes. You can customise what you see first in the Health app and unpin what you don’t want to see. New vitals displayed include blood oxygen, sleep info, wrist temperature, respiratory rate, and heart rate. You can also share a live video during an Emergency SOS call. The Fitness app now features a customisable homepage where you can add metrics like cycling power and running averages. The most exciting features include pausing your rings and adjusting your fitness goals, allowing you to maintain your streak if you’re injured or away. You can also set goals for specific days to accommodate rest or easy days.

Notes & Calculator: Math Notes is one of the best new features in iOS 18, especially for iPad OS. With Math Notes, you can write complex equations and have the calculator create graphs and charts. The calculator app now offers basic mode, scientific mode, Math Notes, and conversion mode. Conversion mode lets you convert currency and other metrics such as speed, weight, and volume on-device. There is also a history tab to show previous calculations and a redesigned delete button that is easier to use than the previous clear button. You can now hide or lock apps with Face ID. Hidden apps will be moved to a separate folder in the App Library.

New Accessibility Features

Apple is known for making their devices user-friendly for those with health or accessibility issues, and the iPhone is no exception.

Eye-tracking: You can control your iPhone with just your eyes. This feature takes some getting used to but works well.

Motion Cues: To combat motion sickness when using your phone in a moving vehicle, Apple has introduced ‘Motion Cues’. This feature adds dots to the screen to reduce motion sickness and can be turned on automatically or seamlessly when it detects you’re in a moving car.

Vocal Shortcuts: With ‘Vocal Shortcuts’, you can instruct your phone to perform various functions by saying a specific word or phrase. Siri can be included for more complex instructions, and this feature keeps the microphone always on.

Hearing Aid: You can now use the AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid. They are FDA-approved to amplify surrounding sounds for clearer audio if you are hard of hearing.

Additional Features

There are additional features worth mentioning, such as Game Mode, which activates automatically when you launch a game. This feature limits background activity to enhance your gaming experience. Apple TV now includes InSight, which provides information about the actors on screen or the specific song playing in a movie. You can also enhance dialogue or boost sound effects. Mac users will appreciate the ability to mirror and control their iPhone from a Mac, as well as receive notifications.

Final Words: Not Everything We Wanted

While Apple Intelligence isn’t here yet, iOS 18 delivers a host of features that will change the way you use your phone. From customisable home screens and a revamped Control Centre to new accessibility options, there’s plenty to explore.

To update your iPhone to iOS 18, go to Settings > General > Software Update > Upgrade to iOS 18, and follow the prompts