Understanding iOS 18: Exciting Features You Should Know Before Updating

iPhones have always stood out from the crowd because of their unique features and design. An iPhone is not a popular phone only because it is powerful, but the way it integrates into our lives. They are more sophisticated and offer a better user experience. One of the prime factors that give iPhones an edge over their competitors is the operating system - iOS.

Each iOS update comes with many new features that are designed to improve the user experience and security. This year is no different with the release of iOS 18 on September 16, 2024. It has arrived with a host of new features that make your iPhones smarter and more personalised.

Let’s find out what these features are and how they can benefit your everyday use.

INDEX

12 Cool iOS 18 Features You Should Know

1. Apple Intelligence: Smarter AI Tailored to You
2. Customising Your Home Screen
3. Lock and Hide Apps
4. New Control Center to Simplify Everyday Tasks
5. Easier to Navigate Photos
6. Make your Messages Stand Out
7. Browse on Safari with Less Distraction
8. Password Management: One App for All Your Credentials
9. Maps: Hiking, Parks, and More for Outdoor Enthusiasts
10. FaceTime: Helping from Afar with Remote Control
11. Privacy and Security
12. Innovative Features for Everyone

Buy Your iPhone at a Low Price Today!

Frequently Asked Questions About iOS 18

1. Which phones will get iOS 18?
2. Is iOS 18 out in India?
3. Why is iOS 18 not showing?

12 Cool iOS 18 Features You Should Know

Apple Intelligence: Smarter AI Tailored to You

With iOS 18, Apple Intelligence goes beyond simple suggestions. It is designed to understand your personal habits and manage everyday tasks like never before. 

For instance, you will get a summary of your notifications, mail, and messages based on their importance. Need to search for a specific photo but cannot remember when it was taken? Just describe it, and Apple Intelligence will help you find it. Even Siri has become more conversational. 

In short, your iPhone will become a lot smarter than before.

Also Read: Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Apple iPhone 16 Pro: Understanding the Differences

Customising Your Home Screen

The Home Screen has always been a personal space. And, the new iOS 18 update allows you to customise it further. Now, you are not just limited to rearranging icons — you can also resize apps and widgets according to your preferences. So, if you want to make any app or widget easily accessible or noticeable, you can make them larger. Or, just keep everything small and sleek for a clean look. 

You can also let your iPhone suggest a colour that complements your wallpaper — a simple and small feature that can give your device a more personalised feel.

Lock and Hide Apps

We all have certain apps we would prefer to keep private. It could be related to banking, messaging, or your health. iOS 18 allows you to lock them with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode for extra security. Want to go a step further? You can now hide these apps entirely from your Home Screen and store them in a secure folder. This keeps them out of sight and ensures that no notifications or search results will display information from these apps. After updating, you will have better control over who sees your sensitive data at all times.

New Control Center to Simplify Everyday Tasks

The Control Center is where you quickly access essential features like brightness, volume, and toggling Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. iOS 18 has a new Control Center that is designed to improve user experience and efficiency. This feature has been redesigned to give you more control. You can reorganise the layout in any manner and prioritise the features you use the most. 

For instance, if you frequently adjust brightness or use the camera, you can place those controls at the top. What makes it even better is the ability to add shortcuts from third-party apps, not just Apple's default ones. This means if you use a meditation app or smart home tools like a thermostat, you can easily add those controls directly to your Control Center. 

Besides giving quick access to the tools you need, it also groups similar features together, so everything feels organised.

Easier to Navigate Photos

For many, the Photos app is a treasure trove of memories, and we love sharing them with our loved ones from time to time. However, finding any particular image often gets extremely difficult if you click photos frequently. Thankfully, the new iOS 18 makes it easier to navigate. The app will automatically group your photos into different collections like “Recent Days” or trips by location name so that you spend less time scrolling and more time reminiscing. 

Plus, with Pinned Collections, you can quickly access the albums that matter most to you. 

Search is also smarter — just type in a description like "beach day" or "birthday party," and Photos will show relevant results. This makes finding particular photos extremely convenient.

Make your Messages Stand Out

Texting in iOS 18 is quite a unique experience as well. You can now format your text with bold, italics, and underlines to make sure your message stands out. And if that is not enough, you can add animated effects to individual words or emojis. The iOS update also focuses on how your texts appear — there is so much to it. 

Additionally, you can schedule a message for later. You will never forget to send a birthday wish or important reminder again. 

There is one more unique feature that will make your iPhone a true saviour at dire times. You can now send texts using the satellite feature. So, you will no longer have to rely on the cellular network or Wi-Fi to send texts when required.

Browse on Safari with Less Distraction

Safari in iOS 18 takes the browsing experience to a new level of smartness. As you navigate web pages, the browser automatically highlights relevant information — whether it is maps, translations, or links related to what you are viewing. You will be able to browse much faster and more conveniently. 

The updated reader view is another highlight. If you come across a blog that seems cluttered, you can ask the browser to provide a clutter-free version. You will be able to read any long blog in just minutes with the help of the summary. Long articles will also come with a Table of Contents.

Also Read: Know These 9 Secret iPhone Tricks

Password Management: One App for All Your Credentials

Managing passwords has always been a headache for many of us. If we forget it by mistake, we will have to go through a very long and tedious process to recover or change it. However, with iOS 18’s new Passwords app, everything is in one secure place. You no longer have to face complications. This app stores your passwords, account credentials, and even verification codes. So, if you ever need a password, it will be ready for AutoFill, saving both time and energy.

Maps: Hiking, Parks, and More for Outdoor Enthusiasts

Apple Maps has always been helpful in navigating roads. But, the new iOS 18 has taken things a step further by adding detailed topographic maps with trails for exploring the great outdoors. Now, your iPhone can provide detailed guides for hikes in various areas. This makes exploring very convenient for travellers. Also, you do not have to worry about having a cellular connection while using the map. The application allows you to save maps offline and get turn-by-turn voice guidance even if you are out of cellular range. 

You can even add hikes or routes to your library. Custom routes can also be created if you are planning to explore off-beat areas.

FaceTime: Helping from Afar with Remote Control

FaceTime now goes beyond video calls — it allows you to help someone with their iPhone by remotely controlling their device. Imagine your family member struggling to set up a new feature or fix an issue, and instead of explaining, you can actually take control and do it for them. It is a thoughtful addition, especially for those who often find themselves tech-supporting loved ones. 

Privacy and Security

Apple has always been big on privacy, but iOS 18 puts even more power in your hands. Now, you can control exactly which contacts or data an app can access. This means you no longer share your entire contact list with an app but choose specific people instead. Additionally, the redesigned privacy settings make it simpler to manage what personal information you are sharing. This will reduce the risk of losing sensitive information.

Innovative Features for Everyone

Inclusivity is a core value for Apple, and iOS 18 introduces features that make the iPhone easier to use for people with different abilities. 

• Eye Tracking allows users to control their phone using just their eye movements, a breakthrough for those with limited mobility. 
• Music Haptics syncs vibrations with the rhythm of songs to improve your music listening experience. 
• For those with atypical speech patterns, Vocal Shortcuts lets users create custom sounds to trigger specific actions. 

Therefore, the iPhone is now more accessible than ever.

Buy Your iPhone at a Low Price Today!

If your iPhone is not receiving iOS updates, it could be because you are using an outdated model. While Apple has a reputation for providing service to its old models, there is a limit to it. Very old phones might not receive the iOS 18 update. In such cases, the only option is to sell your used iPhone and buy a model that will receive the iOS update. If you do not have the budget to buy a new one, we suggest buying a refurbished iPhone. A refurbished iPhone works just like a new one but costs less. Therefore, you will get a new-like phone at a discounted price. Other options include pre-owned or unboxed iPhones. 

If you buy a refurbished iPhone from Mobilegoo, you will get up to a 1-year warranty. Any issues arising during this time will be fixed by us without any cost. We also offer No-Cost EMI and a 7-day replacement policy. 

References:

1. https://tinyurl.com/29fae4zb
2. https://tinyurl.com/4ks4j463
3. https://tinyurl.com/5dhmuexe

Frequently Asked Questions About iOS 18

Which phones will get iOS 18?

Some older versions of iPhones will not support iOS 18. Here is a list of all devices that will support the iOS update:

• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)

Is iOS 18 out in India?

Yes, iOS 18 was launched globally, including in India, on September 16, 2024. You should be able to update your iPhone to iOS 18 as long as your device is compatible.

Why is iOS 18 not showing?

If iOS 18 is not showing up for you, there could be several reasons:

• Your iPhone may not support iOS 18 if it is an older model.
• If you have insufficient free space, the update might not appear. Clearing up some storage will solve the issue.
• Temporary bugs or server issues may delay the update.
• An unstable network connection may prevent an update.