iOS 18 vs. iOS 18.1: Here's How the Two Updates Compare

[MacRumors]

As a result of the first Apple Intelligence features being delayed, iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 are currently in beta testing simultaneously.

Below, we explain the differences between the two upcoming software updates, including new features and estimated release timing.

New Features

iOS 18.0

iOS 18 introduces new customization options for the Home Screen and Control Center, a redesigned Photos app, numerous enhancements to the Messages app, an option to lock apps behind Face ID or Touch ID, and much more.

The highlight of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, but the rollout of these artificial intelligence features was pushed back to iOS 18.1.

Read our in-depth iOS 18 roundup to learn more about the update.

iOS 18.1

The first iOS 18.1 developer beta added some Apple Intelligence features for testing, including new writing tools for generating and summarizing text, suggested replies in the Messages app, email summarization, phone call recording and transcribing, and a few others.

The third iOS 18.1 developer beta added a few more Apple Intelligence features, including a "Clean Up" tool in the Photos app that "can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo," and notification summaries for additional apps beyond Mail and Messages.

Apple Intelligence features that are still not available to try include Image Playground for custom-generated images, Genmoji for custom-generated emoji, and several enhancements to Siri, including ChatGPT integration, richer language understanding, deeper per-app controls, on-screen awareness, and personalized context.

Release Timing

iOS 18.0

iOS 18 will likely be released in mid-September, based on the timing of previous major releases:

• iOS 17: September 18, 2023
• iOS 16: September 12, 2022
• iOS 15: September 20, 2021
• iOS 14: September 16, 2020

iOS 18.1

iOS 18.1 will likely be released in late October, based on the timing of previous similar updates:

• iOS 17.1: October 25, 2023
• iOS 16.1: October 24, 2022
• iOS 15.1: October 25, 2021
• iOS 14.1: October 20, 2020

Latest Versions

As of August 28 at 12:55 p.m. Pacific Time, the latest iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 betas are as follows:

• iOS 18 Developer Beta 8
• iOS 18 Public Beta 5
• iOS 18.1 Developer Beta 3
• iOS 18.1 Public Beta not currently available

How to Install Betas

Developer Betas

iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 are both available as developer betas.

To enroll in Apple's developer beta program, visit developer.apple.com, sign in to your Apple ID, and accept the terms and conditions of the Apple Developer Agreement.

Since 2023, installing iOS developer betas no longer requires being enrolled in the Apple Developer Program for $99/year. Anyone with an Apple ID can accept the Apple Developer Agreement and access the betas for free.

After accepting the agreement, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update → Beta Updates. This is where the iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 developer betas are listed, and you can tap on one to begin the installation process. Note that the iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID set up as a developer account.

Due to software bugs and other potential issues, we recommend installing the iOS 18 or iOS 18.1 betas on a secondary iPhone, rather than the device that you use daily. We also highly recommend backing up your iPhone to your Mac before installing beta software on the device, to prevent data loss in the event something goes wrong.

Step-by-step guide: How to Get the iOS 18 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

Public Betas

iOS 18 is available as a public beta, but iOS 18.1 is not currently.

To enroll in Apple's free public beta program, visit beta.apple.com, sign in to your Apple ID, and accept the terms and conditions.

After signing up, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update → Beta Updates. This is where the iOS 18 public beta is listed, and you can tap on it to begin the installation process. Note that the iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID enrolled in the public beta program.

Due to software bugs and other potential issues, we recommend installing the iOS 18 public beta on a secondary iPhone, rather than the device that you use daily. We also highly recommend backing up your iPhone to your Mac before installing beta software on the device, to prevent data loss in the event something goes wrong.

Step-by-step guide: How to Install the iOS 18 Public Beta

Compatible iPhones

iOS 18 is compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17 is:

• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max

• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

While the iOS 18.1 beta is currently limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models, the update should be released for all of the iPhones listed above eventually. However, Apple Intelligence features will r... Click here to read rest of article

Article Link: iOS 18 vs. iOS 18.1: Here's How the Two Updates Compare

 

[coffeemilktea]

The first Apple Intelligence features are now available to test in the iOS 18.1 developer beta, which is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max currently.

I really want to be excited for Apple Intelligence, but between it being available only for the latest phones, and Apple being behind on AI compared to a lot of other companies, I get the feeling it'll be a while before it's something most people can really enjoy. 😩

 

[now i see it]

Seeing that iOS 18 has so many radical changes, the likelihood that lots of stuff will be broken makes me not want to buy a new phone - since it will come with it pre installed. Too much aggravation.

 

[IIGS User]

The iOS 18.1 developer beta has been super buggy for me. I know I downloaded a developer beta and that's on me. But there are lots of issues with it. I don't think it was worth the trouble to try out Apple "intelligence".

I've particularly had issues with Siri not working/responding and that USUALLY clears with a hard re boot of the phone.

Like I said, I know what I got myself into and I'm not complaining per se. But I would wait a while if you were casually considering this version.

 

[klasma]

Seeing that iOS 18 has so many radical changes, the likelihood that lots of stuff will be broken makes me not want to buy a new phone - since it will come with it pre installed. Too much aggravation.

New iOS versions have been flaky in general, and there also tend to be more hardware manufacturing issues in the initial batches (e.g. screen quality issues). It’s a good idea to upgrade mid-cycle, there’s no reason to rush, and moreover you won’t have to pay full price then.

 

[spazzcat]

The iOS 18.1 developer beta has been super buggy for me. I know I downloaded a developer beta and that's on me. But there are lots of issues with it. I don't think it was worth the trouble to try out Apple "intelligence".

I've particularly had issues with Siri not working/responding and that USUALLY clears with a hard re boot of the phone.

Like I said, I know what I got myself into and I'm not complaining per se. But I would wait a while if you were casually considering this version.

You installed a beta of a beta and didn't know there would be bugs?

 

[axantas]

Seeing that iOS 18 has so many radical changes, the likelihood that lots of stuff will be broken makes me not want to buy a new phone - since it will come with it pre installed. Too much aggravation.

I just would keep the current one, install iOS18 as it is published and go on.
I do have the ...18 Betas on a M1 iPad and an iPhone13 running flawlessly.

...and I do have a lot of stuff installed there.

 

[NLLV]

I see ZERO reason to install iOS18 ever
As they decided to make me buy a new phone to use the AI features, and that is what I really wanted, why would I install this on my 13 pro max.
Nonsense.
Eventually I will upgrade my phone, but this was a garbage way to force upgrades on people in a crap economy.

 

[JosephAW]

Hopefully iPhone 16 will come with iOS 18.4

 

[Blue Nova]

I really want to be excited for Apple Intelligence, but between it being available only for the latest phones, and Apple being behind on AI compared to a lot of other companies, I get the feeling it'll be a while before it's something most people can really enjoy. 😩

Now that they have announced that Apple Intelligence features will remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models and newer. So the plan is to sell more iPhones to keep up with huge money making machine. My iPhone 14 Plus will not be part of the fully functioning AI on 18.1

 

[Heat_Fan89]

I see ZERO reason to install iOS18 ever
As they decided to make me buy a new phone to use the AI features, and that is what I really wanted, why would I install this on my 13 pro max.
Nonsense.
Eventually I will upgrade my phone, but this was a garbage way to force upgrades on people in a crap economy.

I recently purchased from Apple an M2 iPad Air. I noticed that the battery details now tell me the battery cycle count along with battery health. Why isn't this feature available on other Apple devices? Does this feature seriously require the processing power the M2? 🧐

 

[spazzcat]

I see ZERO reason to install iOS18 ever
As they decided to make me buy a new phone to use the AI features, and that is what I really wanted, why would I install this on my 13 pro max.
Nonsense.
Eventually I will upgrade my phone, but this was a garbage way to force upgrades on people in a crap economy.

You are never guaranteed to get new features on old hardware.

 

[spazzcat]

I recently purchased from Apple an M2 iPad Air. I noticed that the battery details now tell me the battery cycle count along with battery health. Why isn't this feature available on other Apple devices? Does this feature seriously require the processing power the M2? 🧐

Maybe your battery has new hardware features that old systems don't have ...

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

And no mention that 18.1 beta is compatible with M series iPads
pretty poor article

 

[iamgalt]

New iOS versions have been flaky in general, and there also tend to be more hardware manufacturing issues in the initial batches (e.g. screen quality issues). It’s a good idea to upgrade mid-cycle, there’s no reason to rush, and moreover you won’t have to pay full price then.

I agree with you about there being no reason to rush, and yes, by mid-cycle, manufacturing issues have been worked out, as well as a lot of software bugs. But I don't get your statement about not having to pay full price then. iPhones don't reduce in price by mid cycle. An iPhone 15 costs the same today as it did the day it was released. Previous versions of phones will be reduced in price a bit, but not at mid cycle.

 

[krspkbl]

I was so excited for iOS 18 but all the Apple Intelligence stuff being delayed ruins it.

Also sucks for those who don't have 15 Pros. Well, those who have a 15/Plus. You can't really have an iPhone 14 and expect the latest new features. Not having A.I on 15/Plus is low from Apple.

 

[artifex]

Maybe your battery has new hardware features that old systems don't have ...

Introducing that feature for devices already out would probably complicate warranty servicing. If you install this update 2 months out of warranty service and your device now says your max capacity is at 75% of original, can you demand a warranty replacement anyway because you had no (official) way of seeing it was going down so fast?

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Introducing that feature for devices already out would probably complicate warranty servicing. If you install this update 2 months out of warranty service and your device now says your max capacity is at 75% of original, can you demand a warranty replacement anyway because you had no (official) way of seeing it was going down so fast?

Well TBF you would of still got a battery notification that your battery needs servicing when it goes 80% health
all your missing is the cycle count not battery health

 

[nt5672]

Now that they have announced that Apple Intelligence features will remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models and newer. So the plan is to sell more iPhones to keep up with huge money making machine. My iPhone 14 Plus will not be part of the fully functioning AI on 18.1

Which in reality would be fine if the iOS 18.1 was free of any major bugs. But it won't be for a couple of years. By then it will work on most phones.

 

[PsykX]

Seeing that iOS 18 has so many radical changes, the likelihood that lots of stuff will be broken makes me not want to buy a new phone - since it will come with it pre installed. Too much aggravation.

While it's true it brings many core changes, I'd have to say I've never seen Apple fix so many bugs in all their OSes and in Xcode. It's a good idea to wait before 18.1 or 18.2, but I'm pretty positive it's going to be a good release, feature-wise and stability-wise.

 

[Kay_Ess]

You can't really have an iPhone 14 and expect the latest new features.

Why not? Apple has always told us a decent amount of RAM isn’t necessary for anyone. Do they lie?😱

 

[Apple Mac Daz]

Why not? Apple has always told us a decent amount of RAM isn’t necessary for anyone. Do they lie?😱

I feel the ones being shafted are the 15 plus owners

 

[Kay_Ess]

I feel the ones being shafted are the 15 plus owners

Lol yeah wow. I can’t even remember one of the upcoming helpful AI features but if I had a 15 Plus I’d have wanted them all anyway haha

Even if you don’t want the upcoming AI stuff it’s a bad thing: from now on you have to look at iPhone specs and find out if they’re balanced and if they can hold their weight against the rest of the market even just a year later. That’s not something most people can or want to do.

The “you get the minimum we can get away with” has bled through the “you get exactly what you need”.

 

[jbmelby]

I seem to be a minority of one, but so far, iOS 18.1 beta 1 seems to be working flawlessly for me on my iPhone 15 Pro Max. YMMV

 

[IIGS User]

You installed a beta of a beta and didn't know there would be bugs?

I believe I made that abundantly clear in my OP.