Apple iOS 18 — top features, availability, eligible iPhones for new update, other details (2024)

At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced iOS 18, the latest major update for iPhones. This update is the most feature-loaded in recent memory, offering extensive customisation options, including the ability to freely arrange apps and widgets on the Home Screen. It also features the “biggest” redesign of the Photos app, call recording, and new text effects in iMessage.

A significant highlight of iOS 18 is the debut of Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Apple Intelligence leverages generative models and personal context to understand and generate language and images, automate actions across apps, and enhance daily tasks. This new system is deeply integrated into iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia, which were announced alongside.

“We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18. It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customization and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. “This release also marks the beginning of a tremendously exciting new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can’t wait for users to experience it.”

iOS 18: Everything you need to know about the new iPhone update

1. iOS 18 availability: Apple has announced that the developer beta of iOS 18 is now available through the Apple Developer Program at developer.apple.com. A public beta will be available next month via the Apple Beta Software Program at beta.apple.com. General availability is pegged for September.
2. iOS 18 eligible iPhones: The following iPhones will be eligible to receive the iOS 18 update—iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone14, iPhone14Plus, iPhone14Pro, iPhone14ProMax, iPhone13, iPhone13mini, iPhone13Pro, iPhone13ProMax, iPhone12, iPhone12mini, iPhone12Pro, iPhone12ProMax, iPhone11, iPhone11Pro, iPhone11ProMax, iPhoneXS, iPhoneXSMax, iPhoneXR, iPhoneSE (2ndgeneration orlater).
3. iOS 18 Home Screen, Control Centre updates: With iOS 18, users can freely arrange apps and widgets on the Home Screen, even placing them above the dock. App icons and widgets now feature a sleek Dark mode and can be tinted with any colour of your choice or a colour suggested by iOS to complement your wallpaper. You can also make apps and widgets larger for convenience. The redesigned Control Centre meanwhile offers easier access to daily functions and introduces new levels of customisation. Users can quickly access groups of frequently used controls or add controls including those from supported third-party apps, through the new controls gallery. The size of these controls can be changed, too. Additionally, you can switch or remove the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, for the first time.
4. iOS 18 Photos update: Apple’s Photos app in iOS 18 introduces a simplified single view with a familiar grid and new “Collections” for browsing by themes like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. You can pin Collections for easy access. The new Carousel view presents daily highlights in a poster-like view.
5. iOS 18 Messages update: Apple’s iOS 18 introduces all-new text effects in iMessage, adding dynamic, animated appearances to letters, words, phrases, and emojis. Tapbacks now support any emoji or sticker, and users can schedule messages to be sent later. The Messages app now supports RCS (Rich Communication Services) messaging with non-Apple devices. Additionally, iOS 18 introduces Messages via satellite, ensuring communication when cellular and Wi-Fi connections are unavailable.
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6. iOS 18 Mail updates: iOS 18 introduces on-device categorisation in the Mail app, sorting incoming emails into Primary (personal and time-sensitive), Transactions (confirmations and receipts), Updates (news and social notifications), and Promotions (marketing emails and coupons). Additionally, a new digest view compiles relevant emails from a business, allowing users to quickly scan important messages.
7. iOS 18 Safari updates: iOS 18 introduces Safari Highlights, using machine learning to surface key webpage information. The redesigned Reader feature now includes a summary and table of contents for longer articles, enhancing the distraction-free reading experience.
8. iOS 18 Passwords app: Apple has launched a dedicated “Passwords” app, an alternative to popular password managers like LastPass and 1Password, with iOS 18. The new app will work across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and AppleVisionPro, and on Windows with the iCloud for Windows app, and support autofill while seamlessly categorising logins into sections such as accounts, Wi-Fi networks, and passkeys.
9. iOS 18 locked/hidden apps update: iOS 18 introduces new privacy features allowing users to lock and hide apps, moving them to a secure, hidden apps folder. When an app is locked or hidden, its content, such as messages and emails, is concealed from search, notifications, and other system areas. This ensures sensitive information remains private and inaccessible.
10. iOS 18 call recording feature update: In a first, iOS 18 allows users to record and transcribe live calls directly from the Phone app. Additionally, the update offers enhanced call history search, smarter dialing options, and seamless SIM card switching.

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