iOS 18 could be one of the most interesting software releases of 2024, and early leaks even went so far as to say it could be the biggest software update in iPhone history, period. Given that we described iOS 17 as “one of the best iOS updates we've seen in years” in our iOS 17 review, it's an extremely exciting prospect.
That said, we still don't know much about iOS 18, at least in terms of confirmed features. The little we've heard can be found below, along with information on the possible iOS 18 release date, as well as the phones we expect to be supported.
Below, you'll find a list of the key things we want from iOS 18 to make it the best update possible. We will also add leaks and news to this article whenever new information emerges, so check back soon to stay informed.
Come to the point
- What is it? The next major iOS release
- When does it come out? Probably September 2024
- How much will it cost? It will be a free update.
iOS 18: expected release date
Based on the above format, iOS 18 will almost certainly be released in mid-September 2024, given that all major iOS versions from iOS 6 onwards began rolling out between September 13 and September 20 of their release year. This launch will likely coincide (roughly) with the launch of the iPhone 16 line and the Apple Watch 10.
However, you won't have to wait until September to see some of the features of iOS 18, or even to try it, because Apple usually announces new versions of iOS at WWDC, which usually takes place in early June. In fact, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has now confirmed that several iOS 18-specific AI features are on track for a big reveal at WWDC 2024.
Here, we'll get our first look at many of the key features, and soon after, Apple typically releases developer previews, followed by public betas. So if you don't mind a few bugs, you can probably try an unfinished version of iOS 18 well before September.
iOS 18: expected compatibility
We don't know yet which phones will support iOS 18, but for reference, iOS 17 works on all iPhones from the iPhone XR and iPhone XS onwards. Apple stopped supporting the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X, all of which arrived the same year (2017).
Therefore, it is likely that with iOS 18, Apple will stop supporting iPhones released in 2018, namely the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, and iPhone XS Max. That would mean you would need an iPhone 11 or later to get iOS 18. While this is the most likely scenario based on recent history, this is just speculation for now.
iOS 18: news and leaks
There aren't many iOS 18 leaks yet, but one thing we've heard is that Apple is spending big on servers and AI features, and that the first fruits of these efforts will be ready in late 2024.
Apple GPT, the company's rumored ChatGPT rival, is apparently being worked on internally and could help reinvent both Siri and AppleCare. In addition to an AI chatbot, Apple is also working on AI imaging, and both AI features could be integrated into Siri, to upgrade Apple's increasingly disappointing digital assistant.
Similarly, we've heard that Apple's AI-powered Siri assistant could debut as early as WWDC 2024, which is when we expect to get our first official look at iOS 18. But it's reportedly possible that only work with iPhone 16 and Later, I will suggest that this feature might need dedicated hardware.
We don't know much about how it could improve Siri, but one example given is that it could replace the Shortcuts app and function as an easy way to complete complex tasks. For example, you might be able to ask Siri to create a GIF from the last five photos you took and then send them to a contact, all with a simple voice command.
Separately, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has claimed that Apple has internally described iOS 18 as a major update, calling it “ambitious and compelling” with some “major new features and designs.”
The same source stated that the visual design of iOS 18 could be significantly improved, although it will not copy visionOS, as is also rumored. We can likely expect some new aesthetic flourishes in 2024, as well as everything else.
However, Apple also reportedly froze development of iOS 18 in November 2024 to fix technical issues. This is unusual, which could suggest that some of the planned features are proving problematic. That, in turn, could mean some shows are delayed or cancelled, but that remains to be seen.
However, in January 2024, Gurman again said that iOS 18 could be “one of the biggest, if not the biggest, iOS updates in the company's history,” and Apple employees considered the next update as a major change for the iPhone.
iOS 18: what we want to see
There are a number of things we'd like to see in iOS 18, including the following five improvements.
1. Global rollout of all key features
One of the main features of iOS 17 was live voicemail, but it's really only available in the US and Canada, making iOS 17 and, by extension, the iPhone 15 essentially worse outside of the US and Canada.
It's an unfortunate situation, and while Google is arguably even more guilty of blocking phone features in the US, Apple could still do much better here.
So for iOS 18, we want each and every feature to be available globally, and if that really isn't possible, then we want Apple to be more transparent about it, rather than burying availability in fine print.
2. Android Compatibility for Check In
Another habit that Apple has that we don't like is blocking Android features like iMessage and SharePlay. This is unfortunate, but somewhat understandable. However, where it becomes less understandable is when those features imply security, as is the case with Check In.
This iOS 17 feature is an automated way to inform your loved ones that you have arrived home safely or, conversely, let them know that you may not be safe if you have not checked in and, in the latter case, allow selected people to see where you are. the phone is.
But it requires both the sender and recipient to have iOS 17 to work, which means that Android users not only can't actively use the feature (understandable), but they also can't receive registration notifications from others (even less so).
So with iOS 18, we'd like Apple to open the feature to Android users, so that even if they can't automate their own check-ins, they can receive these automated messages and alerts from friends and family who use iOS.
3. An AI update for Siri
Rumors suggest that Apple will include AI in iOS 18, and Siri is likely to be one of the main recipients of this. We certainly hope so, because ChatGPT makes Siri in its current form look incredibly dated. Especially now that ChatGPT Voice is available for free on iOS.
These Siri updates could perhaps allow for more natural and fluid conversation, as well as allowing Siri to perform much more complex tasks than simply searching for something on Google or turning on smart lights.
4. Place the cursor in the middle of a word with a tap.
One feature we really wish Apple would borrow from Android is the ability to simply tap the center of a word to place the cursor there, so you can easily correct typos later.
Currently, getting to the center of a word requires holding down the space bar and dragging, which works pretty well but is substantially slower. We don't expect this in iOS 18, but it would be nice to see.
5. Deep but thoughtful AI integration
Beyond Siri, we expect Apple to incorporate AI into other parts of iOS 18, but we want this to be done thoughtfully, rather than with half-hearted or fancy features.
In particular, we would like photography to have a great set of AI tools to help with image editing. We're thinking about things like Google's Magic Eraser and Magic Editor tools, which let you move or delete things in photos. And it would also be interesting to see spatial photos and videos become more accessible, so they're not just designed for Apple Vision Pro owners.
