Apple today released iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, the new operating system updates for the iPhone and iPad. As with all of Apple's software updates, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 are available for free.
Apple's new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Note that it can take a few minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand.
If you have iOS 17, you can download iOS 18. It is available on the iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone SE 2, and newer. As for the iPad, iPadOS 18 runs on the third-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later, all 11-inch iPad Pro models, the third-generation iPad Air and later, the seventh-generation iPad and later, and the fifth-generation iPad mini and later. Apple has also released an iOS 17.7 update for those still running iOS 17.
While you wait for iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 to download, you might want to take a look at our iOS 18 roundup and our iPadOS 18 roundup, both of which go into depth on all of the new features that are included.
iOS 18 adds new customization options for the Home Screen, with the option to arrange apps and widgets with open spaces and add new tints to app icons. Control Center has been entirely overhauled with support for multiple pages, third-party controls, and the option to put controls on the Lock Screen and activate them with the Action Button.
The Messages app supports scheduling texts, and Tapback works with any emoji. There are new text effects you can add to words and phrases, and formatting like bold and italic is available. You can also use Messages via satellite when you don't have a connection, and for texting your Android friends, RCS makes for a much better messaging experience.
Apple added an all-new Passwords app for login management, and Phone calls can be recorded to the Notes app with a new call recording feature. Notes can also do transcriptions of audio recordings.
Safari supports Highlights for showing you what's most important on a webpage and Distraction Control for removing annoying elements, the Photos app has been overhauled with a unified look and new customization options through Collections, and the Maps app has support for topographic maps, trail networks, and creating custom walking and hiking routes.
You can lock any app with Face ID or Touch ID, and hide them too. Tap to Cash provides an easier way to send money to other iPhone users in person, and there are several new features for the AirPods Pro. Many of these features are also available on the iPad, plus there are some iPad-specific additions like new tab bars for apps and automatic handwriting improvements.
There are, of course, numerous Apple Intelligence features that are coming like Writing Tools, Genmoji, Image Playground, notification summaries, and tons more, but those features are not included in this release. Apple's full notes for the update are below.Home Screen
- Flexible arrangement to place app icons and widgets in any open position on the Home Screen, such as along the bottom or off to the side, to create the ideal layout for each page
- Dark icons give your Home Screen look a darker aesthetic, and can automatically adjust when your iPhone enters Dark Mode, or always appear dark
- Color tinting lets you apply any color to app icons and widgets or have iOS suggest a color that complements your wallpaper
- Larger icons allow you to make all the app icons and widgets on your screen appear larger, removing the name underneath
Photos
- Photos app redesign features the biggest update ever with a simplified layout that puts everything into a single view
- Collections automatically organize your library by helpful topics that you can browse in a collage, grid, as a memory, or on a map
- Customization options let you reorder, add, and remove Collections rows, and add just the items you want to Pinned Collections to keep within easy reach
- Groups in People and Pets include photos of your favorite people or pets who frequently appear together
- Trips automatically organizes your travels into collections so you can relive each trip
- Recent Days lets you view your recent photos organized by day without clutter like screenshots
- Filter button in the grid helps you reduce clutter by filtering to specific media types, your favorites, or by hiding screenshots from the view
- Video speed control lets you slow down high frame rate video content with in and out points
- Utilities includes additional helpful collections like Documents, Receipts, QR codes, and more, and items you've recently edited, viewed, and shared
- Recovered album in Utilities surfaces images that are on your device but were not previously visible due to database corruption in a locked album
Messages
- Messages via satellite lets you message friends and family when you are without cellular or Wi-Fi connection by connecting to a satellite in space (iPhone 14 and later)
- Text effects bring your conversations to life by visually amplifying any letter, word, phrase, or emoji in iMessage with dynamic, animated effects like explode, ripple, and nod
- Text formatting lets you add bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough to any letter, word, or phrase in iMessage
- Emoji and sticker Tapbacks allow you to react to a message using any emoji or sticker, giving you access to the Tapbacks you and your friends send the most with just a swipe
- Send Later enables you to compose a message now and schedule it to send later
- RCS messaging support includes delivery and read receipts, higher resolution photos and videos for messaging people without an iPhone and requires carrier support
Control Center
- Redesigned Control Center features convenient groups of controls, the ability to arrange controls just the way you want, and support for controls from third-party apps
- Groups of controls can be accessed by continuously swiping from the right edge, including your most used controls, Home controls, Media Playback and Connectivity, with the option to build out entirely new groups too
- Controls gallery displays the full set of available controls, including controls from third-party apps, that you can add right into the group you choose
- Resizable controls let you drag from the lower right of a control from within Control Center
Lock Screen
- Custom Lock Screen controls let you choose controls from the controls gallery from your favorite apps
- Action button can be customized with controls from t... Click here to read rest of article
Article Link: Apple Releases iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 With Home Screen Customization, App Locking, Passwords App, Messages Updates and More
