iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Feature Refreshed Settings App

[MacRumors]

With the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 updates, Apple plans to streamline the Settings app, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman confirmed today. He said that while it's not a "huge deal," there are some changes planned.

The Settings app on iPhone and iPad and the System Settings on Macs will get an updated UI with a "reorganized, cleaner layout" that's simpler to navigate. Search in the Settings app is also set to improve, and that's been a major issue with prior versions of iOS and macOS.

On iOS specifically, searching for an option in the Settings app often returns no results or the wrong result. A search for "Charging Optimization," a setting on the iPhone 15 Pro models, does not bring up the interface, for example. There are several other smaller settings options that are similarly inaccessible when searching.

Part of the changes planned for iOS 18 and macOS 15 include major updates to Spotlight and search throughout the operating systems, as well as an overhauled version of Siri that is able to control all individual features in apps. Combined, these updates should make it easier to get to some of the more hidden settings on Apple devices.

A prior rumor suggested that Apple would overhaul the macOS System Settings app, introducing rearranged menus and app UIs in an update that will be the biggest since the Settings app was refreshed in macOS Ventura. On the Mac, Apple is said to be using an organizational system focused on "priority and overall importance," and the same changes could be made on iOS as well.

The Notifications and Sound categories in System Settings will be moved lower in the list, with General settings moved up under Network settings. Wallpaper and Displays will join General settings, and Privacy and Security will be paired with Touch ID and Password.

Apple is also planning to refresh the Control Center on iOS 18 and Apple has been testing the changes internally, but specific updates are unclear at this time.

More on the features that are coming to iOS and macOS can be found in our iOS 18 and macOS 15 roundups, which are updated regularly with all of the new rumors that we've heard.

The 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference keynote is set to take place on Monday, June 10, with Apple unveiling iOS 18, macOS 15, and also iPadOS 18, tvOS 18, visionOS 2, and watchOS 11.

Article Link: iOS 18 and macOS 15 to Feature Refreshed Settings App

 

[jz0309]

repeating myself, if it is changes to actually improve, great. Don't need another change for change sake (a la macOS setting "update")

 

[BanjoDudeAhoy]

For the official announcement (if this does indeed come), every "improved" will need to be replaced with "infused with AI", of course.

 

[klasma]

simpler to navigate

Hopefully that doesn’t mean “more taps to get anywhere”.

 

[klasma]

For the official announcement (if this does indeed come), every "improved" will need to be replaced with "infused with AI", of course.

Allegedly Improved.

 

[Kottu]

I do hope that Apple has realised that smallest device with macOs has 13" screen, not 6.1"

 

[Eorlas]

Settings on iOS doesn't bother me much at all, I think it's generally easy to find what I'm looking for.

macOS has taken on too much of the same style that iOS has, while having a very different user input, so it feels odd. I think it would benefit from a different style.

 

[clam zero]

I'm very happy about this. Making it so you have to scroll down a sidebar to find the right panel was a mistake; as things stand now I find Windows 11 system settings easier to navigate than macOS system settings.

 

[MrENGLISH]

I just want macOS settings panel to go back to the way it was for decades. Now it feels like I have to use the search function to find what I'm looking for.

 

[Avenged110]

I will be absolutely shocked if “cleaner” and “simpler to navigate” doesn’t translate to “more cumbersome and unintuitive,” considering Apple’s more recent history with such things.

 

[antiprotest]

I got used to it in minutes and could find everything I want. But I get why some people don't like it. And yes, some settings do seem more buried.

 

[contacos]

shouldnt this be based on the users preferences like if I go to the mobile data menu often, it should be at the top while for my mother the sound option should be further up since that is what she uses more than me

 

[Morod]

System Prefs worked fine for me in Macos. Sure be nice to see it come back.

 

[stars_fan]

Still need a way to disable App Library. Worst feature on iOS

 

[tonywalker23]

macOS: please put "Start Screen Saver when inactive…" in the Screen Saver settings.

 

[harrisondavies]

All I want is some clever dev to turn Orca Slicer into an app I can use on iPad. iPad NEEDS to be more functional.

 

[mdatwood]

Settings on iOS doesn't bother me much at all, I think it's generally easy to find what I'm looking for.

macOS has taken on too much of the same style that iOS has, while having a very different user input, so it feels odd. I think it would benefit from a different style.

I agree, except the search is still hit and miss. If they fixed that, the existing settings app is fine.

 

[picpicmac]

Shouldn't there be an AI to handle our system settings for us??

 

[GrayFlannel]

With the upcoming iOS 18 and macOS 15 updates, Apple plans to streamline the Settings app, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman confirmed today.

So who did Gurman confirm this with? Is this a rumor or a statement of fact?

 

[klasma]

So who did Gurman confirm this with? Is this a rumor or a statement of fact?

Gurman confirmed an existing rumor.

 

[Darren.h]

thats the only small thing we know about macOS 15 look unless they put a real file system in iOS 18 to match the power of the M4 chip IOS 18 will be useless.

And it sounds like macOS 15 will be a very minor upgrade and Apple Silicon only.

They cut their time short working on macOS 15 to fix bugs in Sonoma.

 

[JungeQuex]

Oh boy! Another change I simply can’t wait for. The last time settings were modified, things totally didn’t get buried and become impossible to find.

 

[GrayFlannel]

Gurman confirmed an existing rumor.

View attachment 2383970

He “confirmed“ it with who? Again, is it fact or rumor?

 

[klasma]

He confirmed it with who? Again, is it fact or rumor?

There is no claim that he “confirmed” it with anyone. He states it as a fact. As usual, he doesn’t disclose his sources. You can take it as a rumor. Same procedure as every week.

 

[FeliApple]

My only Mac is a 2015 MacBook Pro running OS X El Capitan, but I took a look at a couple of updated Macs and oh boy is System Settings absolutely hideous. It was Mac-like back then (well, for me it’s always been like this), but now it’s just horrible. Knowing Apple, they won’t revert back, though.

Hopefully they don’t obliterate iOS’ Settings app.