Since the release of iOS 18, Apple has been active in enhancing its software experience through a series of incremental updates. The recent iOS 18.2 introduced exciting features powered by Apple Intelligence, including Genmoji, Image Playground, and seamless integration with ChatGPT. This allows Siri to collaborate with advanced AI capabilities, ensuring users receive assistance even in complex inquiries.
iOS 18 represents a significant evolution with substantial design upgrades, particularly in areas like the redesigned Control Center and customizable home screen. While the spotlight often shines on major innovations, many subtle enhancements deserve attention for their practicality. Below is a curated list of small yet impactful features that enrich the iOS 18 experience.
Note: These features are listed without prioritization.
1. Customize Home Screen: Hide App Names & Resize Icons
iOS 18 allows users to enhance their home screen by hiding app names, resulting in larger, more recognizable icons.
To implement this, simply press and hold an empty area until icons shake, tap “Edit”in the top-left, then select “Customize.”Choose the “Large”option to adjust icon size and hide app names.
2. Enhanced Privacy: Lock and Hide Apps
You can now lock or hide apps from both the home screen and App Library, adding an extra layer of privacy. This feature prevents unauthorized access even when your device is unlocked.
To lock an app, tap and hold its icon and select “Require Face ID.”
3. Retrieve Recently Deleted Reminders
For users of the Reminders app, a dedicated section for recently deleted reminders helps recover any mistakes from accidental deletions.
Access this feature under “Recently Deleted”in My Lists to recover reminders and adjust their content as needed.
4. Awareness of Shared Media via AirDrop
The Photos app now informs users when photos and videos are AirDropped from other devices. New designated albums—”Recently Viewed”and “Recently Shared”—provide visibility into these interactions.
5. Efficiently Manage Storage: Delete Large Video Files
The Settings app now identifies lengthy videos taking up valuable storage space, enabling easy deletion of unwanted files that consume your iCloud space.
6. Music Playback During Media Capture
iOS 18 enhances the user experience by allowing music to play uninterrupted while taking photos or recording videos, ideal for capturing special moments at lively events.
7. Seamless Wi-Fi Password Sharing with Android
A significant update allows iOS 18 users to share Wi-Fi passwords with Android devices by generating scannable QR codes, breaking down traditional barriers between ecosystems.
8. Search Call Logs Perfectly
The call log now features a user-friendly search bar at the top, allowing users to locate specific phone numbers easily in both “All”and “Missed”tabs.
9. Schedule Messages for Timely Sending
With the new scheduling feature in the Messages app, users can set a specific time to send texts, ensuring no important messages are forgotten.
While composing a message, tap the “+”button and select “Send Later”to choose your desired delivery time.
10. Simplified Settings with New ‘Apps’ Page
The Settings app has been reorganized to include an “Apps”section for easier navigation and access to all installed applications.
11. Effortless Dual SIM Management
Managing multiple SIMs is simpler than ever with updated controls in the Control Center, allowing swift switching between personal and business lines.
12. Customizable Lock Screen Controls
The lock screen is more flexible, enabling users to modify toggle buttons according to their preferences, including the option to remove or replace them with controls from the Controls gallery.
13. Third-Party App Accessibility in Control Center
iOS 18 introduces support for third-party apps within the Control Center, allowing functions like remotely unlocking supported vehicles directly from the interface.
14. Automated Math Solutions in Notes
The upgraded Notes app includes a Math Notes feature that calculates answers directly within the app while solving equations.
15. Improved Photo Management Tools
The Photos app now allows you to hide screenshots for a cleaner view and offers wallpaper suggestions to refresh your device’s aesthetic. Users can also utilize the new Clean Up tool to remove distracting elements in images, a feature available on newer models.
16. InSight Feature in Apple TV App
The Apple TV app’s InSight feature provides viewers with real-time context about actors, characters, and soundtrack information, mirroring Amazon Prime’s X-Ray functionality.
17. Reduce Distractions in Safari
Safari’s Distraction Control feature allows users to suppress unwanted elements on a webpage, significantly enhancing the browsing experience.
18. Erasing External Drives
The Files app now includes functionality to erase external drives directly from your iPhone, allowing for easy management of external storage formats.
19. Vehicle Motion Cues for Comfort
This feature optimizes the user experience for those in transit, particularly in vehicles, by displaying on-screen prompts that adapt to the car’s movements, helping reduce motion sickness.
20. Eye Tracking Technology
iOS 18 introduces eye tracking functionality, which utilizes Face ID technology to navigate the device hands-free, providing an accessible option for users with mobility challenges.
21. Mirror Your iPhone on a Mac
Mirroring your iPhone on a Mac is now an option, allowing users to interact with their device’s applications and notifications from their computer screen, enhancing multitasking capabilities.
22. Custom Contacts Access for Apps
The privacy enhancements in iOS 18 enable users to decide on a per-app basis which contacts are shared, offering greater control over personal data.
23. Automatic Language Detection
The new multilingual keyboard can now detect and switch languages automatically during conversations, streamlining the texting process.
24. Enhanced Dark Mode Options
Users can now personalize their devices further with dark-mode icons and flexible icon placements on the home screen, enhancing both aesthetics and functionality.
25. Expanded Content Types in Utilities
Photos app enhancements include expanded organization features for content types, enabling users to efficiently categorize images and videos for easy retrieval.
This overview captures just a portion of the innovative features present in the iOS 18 update. As Apple continues to enhance user experience through future updates, there could be even more to discover. Share any additional tips or features you find in the comments below!
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