Apple just announced its new operating system, iOS 18, and it’s already being dubbed one of the biggest-ever updates.
There are a whole host of epic new features coming to iPhones, and an ex-Apple employee has revealed all the best ones.
All the ‘really cool’ iOS 18 features
“Here’s everything about iOS 18 I think is cool,” Tyler Morgan, who used to work at an Apple store in Los Angeles, said on TikTok.
The operating system is full of new additions, but here are the ones he says you actually need to know about.
1. New home screen customization
First up are the new ways to customize your iPhone’s home screen, including putting apps wherever you like, changing the color of app icons, turning them to light or dark mode and making some icons bigger.
“App icons and widgets appear even sleeker with a new Dark look,” Apple’s iOS 18 preview reveals. “Tint them all with any color, or have iOS suggest a color that complements your wallpaper.”
2. Locked and hidden apps
There will also be a new feature that lets you lock and hide apps using your Face ID or passcode, which is designed to “protect sensitive apps and the information inside them” while others are using your device.
However, some are already fearing this will encourage illicit behavior, such as being able to cheat on your partner and hide the evidence.
3. Changes to control center
Some huge changes are coming to the Control Center, the menu page that appears when you swipe down from the top of the screen.
This includes being able to rearrange and resize tour controls, and even change the flashlight and camera icons on the Lock Screen.
4. Updates to iMessages
“In iMessage you’re getting a little more stuff,” the Apple expert continued – including different texts and an update to Tapback, the feature that lets you respond to messages using icons.
There will be new “playful, animated effects” that you can add to any letter, word, phrase, or emoji, and you can message using satellite without WiFi or cellular data. Plus, the ability to schedule texts for later.
5. New AirPods features
If you have AirPods, iOS 18 will let you speak to Siri with hands-free actions, including nodding for ‘yes’ and shaking your head for ‘no’.
There will be new voice isolation on AirPods Pro too, so you can sound “crystal clear” on calls even in windy conditions or areas with loud background noise.
6. Changes to Notes
Finally, the Notes app is getting a major upgrade, with live audio transcription which automatically transcribes phone calls and other sounds.
Apple is adding a maths feature into Notes too, so you can do calculations instantly using expressions like divide or multiply.
iOS 18 is launching in September and will be available to download on every iPhone from the SE (2nd generation) up to the iPhone 15.
