iOS 18 delivered an avalanche of major features during Apple's WWDC 2024 announcement, from a redesigned Photos app to Siri and Apple Intelligence rebooted for the iPhone 15 Pro series. But what were some of the little tricks we're most looking forward to trying? on our iPhone last year? We have gathered them all here.
One of the biggest themes of iOS 18 is Android-style personalization, and Apple now lets us (gasp) arrange app icons and widgets at the bottom or sides of the screen. Also included are color tints and a new dark mode for app icons. on the waybut it's the super clean potential of removing app tags that we're particularly interested in testing.
You can read about that feature, plus some other new tricks like satellite messaging and AirPods 'head gestures', in our roundup below. You can download the iOS 18 beta right now, but it has some bugs and is missing some features. Most of us will get the final version of iOS 18 in mid-September, along with the likely launch of the iPhone 16. Until then, here are some of the best new features in iOS 18 to whet your appetite…
1. You can go super minimalist by hiding app labels
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or later
iOS 18 is the largest update ever to the iPhone software design language. Home screen customizations allow you to rearrange and place your apps wherever you want, just like on Android, and also hide app names.
You can do this by choosing “large” app icons from the Customize menu. Previously, the only way to get this kind of look was to jailbreak your iPhone, but we're looking forward to giving our iPhones a super minimalist look like the one above without that extra hassle.
2. Messages will allow you to send text messages via satellite
- Compatibility: iPhone 14 or later
If you're far from cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity, iOS 18 will give you a new emergency option on iPhone 14 or later: the ability to text someone via satellite.
This Emergency SOS extension will allow you to send or receive iMessages or SMS text messages via satellite, with all the usual features supported, including Tapbacks and emojis. Although sending emojis may not be one of your priorities if your car breaks down on a deserted road.
Apple has not yet said whether you will have to pay to send text messages via satellite, although Emergency SOS remains free for two years after you purchase an iPhone 14 or iPhone series model. After that, Apple will likely start charging for it, but it might be worth it if it helps you dig yourself out of a hole in a cellular dead zone.
3. AirPlay now supports spatial audio
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or later
Tired of the new Sonos app? You may be able to avoid this again by using AirPlay on your iPhone, which has now been updated with support for spatial audio (including Dolby Atmos).
That's good news for HomePod owners and also for anyone who owns one of the best AirPlay speakers that also supports spatial audio. We're also eager to try it on our Sonos Era 300, although we haven't been able to test it with the iOS 18 beta yet.
4. You can write questions to Siri
- Compatibility: iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max
Siri is finally getting a new look and the brain transplant it's needed for years, although only on the iPhone 15 Pro series. This is because the reset is done using Apple Intelligence. Still, one of the most useful new features is the ability to type questions to Siri, effectively turning it into a chatbot.
If you don't want to talk to Apple Assistant out loud, you can double-tap the bottom of the screen and type a command, such as asking it to set an alarm. It's not yet clear if this is just limited to Apple apps, but you can also quickly switch between voice and text.
5. AirPods Pro 2 owners can shake their heads to reject calls
- Compatibility: AirPods Pro (2nd generation), iPhone XS or later
If you own a pair of AirPods Pro 2 headphones, a cool new feature in iOS 18 is “head gestures.” For example, if you're stuck in a crowded elevator and you receive a phone call, you can tell Siri to reject the call by shaking your head (or, if you want to take the call, by nodding).
Granted, it's arguably less important than voice isolation and other cool free updates coming to the AirPods Pro 2, but it was one of the more fun features we saw during WWDC 2024.
These so-called Siri interactions will also extend to silent interaction with messages and more, and are powered by Apple's H2 chip, hence the restriction to the second-generation AirPods Pro.
6. You will be able to block and hide applications.
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or later
Now that our iPhones contain our entire lives, handing it over to someone can make you feel a little awkward, especially if you don't want them to check your Photos app or see your WhatsApp notifications.
Fortunately, iOS 18 finally offers the option to lock or hide apps from the home screen. Apps you choose to lock or hide will be hidden from search and notifications, and locked apps can only be accessed in a hidden apps folder that can only be opened with Face ID, Touch ID, or a password.
To enable the feature in iOS 18, you'll just need to long-press the app, choose “Require Face ID,” and then choose “Require Face ID” or “Hide and require Face ID.”
7. Android fans will make texting a lot better
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or later
After being forced by the EU to support RCS messages, a standard adopted by most of the Android ecosystem, last year, Apple is finally bringing the feature to iPhones in iOS 18.
This means your messages to Android fans will soon get many of the benefits of iMessage, including high-resolution images, read receipts, and more. Naturally, Apple will continue to protect its precious blue iMessage bubbles by continuing to give green bubbles to RCS messages.
Still, the move still largely solves the current problem with Android-to-iPhone text messaging, which is that your Android-owning friends are moved to an SMS experience, which includes compressed, low-quality images.
8. You can finally change lock screen shortcuts
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
How many times have you accidentally turned on your iPhone's flashlight and blinded a friend due to their uselessly placed lock screen shortcut? Well, maybe it's just us, but either way you'll be pleased to see that iOS 18 finally lets you choose different lock screen shortcuts.
You can have one of the shortcuts open any app or also assign them to other functions, such as turning on dark mode, turning your iPhone into an Apple TV remote, or launching Shazam to help identify a song. It's been a long time coming, but it's a small quality of life adjustment that could change your iPhone routine.
9. The new Passwords app could help you switch to Passkeys
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
As rumors predicted, Apple launched a new password manager app in iOS 18, and it could be a useful new way to autofill passwords and verification codes on your iPhone, Mac, iPad, or even your PC (when you use iCloud for app Windows). But another potential benefit is helping you transition to access keys.
Passwords allow you to log into websites or accounts using Face ID or Touch ID, instead of using a vulnerable password. And as spotted by MacRumors, there's an option in the Passwords app that lets websites and apps automatically update existing accounts to passcodes, saving you the hassle.
Existing passwords are apparently unaffected, so it could be a quick win even if you're still not completely sold on passcodes, which Apple started supporting a couple of years ago.
10. The Home app can now automatically unlock doors and help you keep track of bills
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
If you've never properly dabbled in Apple's Home app, then iOS 18 comes with a few new tricks to convince you to give it a try.
It's a particularly good update if you have smart locks, because starting with iOS 18, the Home app will provide 'guest access' to help you provide quick access to your front doors or garage. There's also another particularly sci-fi trick; 'Hands-free unlocking' will instantly open compatible locks when you're within six feet of them, which sounds useful if you have a lot of shopping.
Another feature we like is the electricity control. Unfortunately, it will initially only be available in the US with Pacific Gas & Electric Company in California, but it appears to be the start of potentially useful smart home monitoring to help you save on bills.
11. Gaming on older iPhones is about to get a lot better
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or later
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
Yes, it's a feature that's been on Android phones for years, but iPhones will finally get a dedicated gaming mode in iOS 18.
Like the Mac version, Game Mode will minimize background activity, such as notifications, to help the game run at the highest frame rate possible. Apple also promises that it will “dramatically” improve the responsiveness of AirPods and wireless gaming controllers.
You might not notice the difference on an iPhone 15 Pro, but Game Mode could definitely help older models that might otherwise reach their performance limit during demanding games.
