In fall of 2024, Apple launched iOS 18, the latest version of its operating system for iPhones and iPads. This article highlights some of the new mainstream features introduced with iOS 18, tested using an iPhone 16 running iOS 18.1.
Settings
In iOS 18, the Settings app has been streamlined. Instead of displaying a complete list of every app installed on your device, there is now a dedicated Apps section, located as the final item on the main Settings screen. At the top of the Apps page, you’ll find a convenient search box to help locate specific apps.
Phone
One of the new features in iOS 18 is the ability to record phone calls directly on your device, complete with an automatic transcription of the conversation. To maintain transparency, Apple ensures the other party is notified when the call is being recorded. You can enable this functionality by navigating to Settings > Phone > Call Recording.
Once the call begins:
- Hide the keypad by performing a four-finger tap at the bottom of the screen. VoiceOver will confirm by announcing, “Hide Keypad.” Select this option.
- Next, perform a four-finger tap in the top-left area of the screen. VoiceOver will indicate the presence of the Start Call Recording button, which you should select.
- To end the recording, flick right at the top of the screen and select the Stop Call Recording button.
The recording and its transcript are saved in the Notes app, where you can perform actions such as jumping to specific points in the recording, copying the transcript, or searching for specific content within the transcript.
Passwords
In iOS 18, Apple has relocated the Passwords section from Settings into its own standalone app, making it easier to manage your saved credentials. Upon opening the app, you’ll find a search bar at the top of the screen, followed by categories like All, Passkeys, Codes, Wi-Fi, Security, and Deleted, with the number of items displayed for each category.
The app also includes options to share passwords and passkeys with family members. Additionally, a button at the bottom allows you to create new passwords by entering the relevant details on a dedicated screen.
Locking an App
iOS 18 introduces the ability to lock individual apps, requiring authentication via Face ID, Touch ID, or your device passcode to access them. It’s important to note that locking an app on one device does not automatically sync this setting across other Apple devices. Furthermore, certain preinstalled apps, such as Camera, Contacts, Find My, and Settings, cannot be locked.
To lock an app:
- Perform a double tap and hold or a one-finger triple tap on the app icon to open the context menu.
- From the menu, select Require Face ID and follow the VoiceOver prompts to complete the process.
If you wish to unlock an app, select Don’t Require Face ID and authenticate using Face ID.
Hiding Apps
Preinstalled apps cannot be hidden in iOS 18. However, for other apps, the hiding process begins with opening the context menu and selecting Require Face ID. On the next screen, choose Hide and Require Face ID.
Hidden apps are moved to the Hidden folder, located near the bottom of the App Library. To access the folder, authenticate with Face ID.
Control Center
The redesigned Control Center in iOS 18 now consists of three pages: Favorites, Now Playing, and Connectivity. These pages can be rearranged or supplemented with additional pages. Use a three-finger flick up or down to navigate between them.
At the top-left corner of the screen, you’ll find the Add Controls and Power buttons. The Add Controls button provides options to edit controls, delete them, or explore the Controls Gallery for more customization.
Messages
The Messages app has received several upgrades. You can now schedule iMessages to send at a specific time or date. To do this:
- Tap the App button and choose Send Later.
- Messages will suggest a date and time, which you can adjust by flicking up or down.
- At the bottom of the screen, use the pickers to set your desired date and time.
- Finally, tap the Send button to schedule the message.
Additionally, the Messages app now supports Rich Communication Services (RCS), significantly enhancing messaging functionality for Android users. RCS enables longer texts, audio messages, videos, and photos, along with features like delivery and read receipts, typing indicators, and group chat capabilities.
The Tapback feature has also been expanded. When viewing a message, flick down to access the Tapback button. This opens a menu with reaction options like Thumbs Up, Question Mark, and Heart, along with frequently used emojis. You can also add new emojis as reactions.
Voice Memos
The Voice Memos app now automatically transcribes recordings into text and includes an option for stereo recording. By default, stereo recording is disabled but can be enabled by going to Settings > Apps > Voice Memos.
A new Save As feature allows you to preserve both the original and edited versions of a recording, providing more flexibility for managing your audio files.
Fitness and Fitness+
In iOS 18, the Fitness app allows for greater customization of the Summary page. To edit the summary:
- Flick right until you reach the Edit Summary button.
- Flick up or down on an item to access the delete option.
The Apple Fitness+ interface has been overhauled with four new tabs: For You, Explore, Library, and Search. The Library tab simplifies navigation to your saved content, while the Explore tab organizes activity categories under clear headings.
Lock Screen
The iOS 18 lock screen offers enhanced customization, allowing you to remove the camera and flashlight icons and replace them with other options. This process involves several steps, and for detailed guidance, you can refer to this AppleVis podcast.
Widgets on the Home Screen
Widgets can now be placed directly on the Home screen. Keep in mind that each widget takes up the space of four app icons. Depending on where you position a widget, some apps may automatically shift to another screen to accommodate it.
