Apple just announced the next version of the iPhone operating system - iOS 18. As expected, artificial intelligence features - dubbed Apple Intelligence - are a core component, but these will exclusively be available to those with an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. There are still plenty of other new features that will be coming to all iPhone owners, including greater customisation options and new privacy features.
iOS 18 should launch in September alongside new iPhones. A public beta will be available next month, and the developer beta is dropping today. It's not clear if Apple Intelligence features will be part of the initial beta.
Even when iOS 18 releases in full, Apple has said that Apple Intelligence will still be in beta and only available in US English. It's pretty easy to swap an Australian iPhone to US English, however.
On the AI front, here are the key features. These will also be available on iPad and Mac with an M1 chip or better.
Smarter Siri
Siri is getting a big AI overhaul, and will be able to do a lot more. First, Siri will be more conversational, and understand if you correct yourself or pause while asking something.
Siri will also maintain conversational context, and be aware of previous things you asked it, so you don't need to repeat yourself.
Similarly, Siri will get onscreen awareness and personal context awareness. Siri will be able to take actions based on things on your screen, such as adding an address someone sent you to their contact card, or execute commands based on information in your phone, such as a flight number in an email from your mum.
Siri will also be able to take actions in apps. For example, you'll be able to say "make this photo pop" to get Siri to edit it for you. App developers will be able to enable their apps to work with Siri in this manner.
Writing Tools
A set of features called Writing Tools will work pretty much any text field on iPhone. These can be used to proofread or rewrite your words, and can change the tone or summarise them.
Image and emoji generation
iOS 18 will be able to use AI to generate custom images and emojis. Images are limited to three illustrated styles, but you'll be able to use info on your iPhone to assist with prompts. Asking for an image of a specific contact, for example.
ChatGPT integration
ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and Writing Tools for certain requests. ChatGPT access will be free, and won't require an account. Your iPhone will also ask you before sharing information with ChatGPT. Notable, ChatGPT responses come with a prominent "Check important info for mistakes" disclosure.
iOS 18 will also eventually support other AI models. You might be able to swap ChatGPT out for Gemini, for example.
Outside of Apple Intelligence, here are the other key features launching in iOS 18 for all iPhone users. These will also be available in iPadOS 18.
Greater home screen personalisation
iOS 18 will allow you to place apps and widgets wherever you want on the home screen, rather than having to follow the sequential top-to-bottom, left-to-right grid. For example, you could have a row of apps at the top of your home screen, and a row at the bottom, making it easier to see your wallpaper.
App icons will also be customisable. They can take on a darker appearance if you're using dark mode, or you can tint them with a chosen colour if you want a more uniform look.
A customisable Control Centre
Control Centre gets a revamp in iOS 18, separating it out into multiple panes. There's a favourites pane, a multimedia pane, and a smart home pane. Developers will be able to build custom controls from their own apps, which can be integrated into the new Control Centre.
Similarly, the camera and flashlight actions on the iPhone lock screen can be swapped out for a control, as can the Action Button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Lock and hide individual apps
iOS 18 will give you an extra layer of protection for sensitive apps. If you choose to lock an app, it will need Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode before it opens - even if your phone is already unlocked. Apps can also be moved to a hidden folder, which requires authentication before it will open.
Data from locked and hidden apps won't appear in search.
A whole bunch of messaging features
The Messages app is getting a raft of new functionality, including the ability to schedule an iMessage, format text with bold, italics, and more, and little word animations.
Next up, anyone with an iPhone 14 or newer will be able to use satellite to send iMessages and SMS when outside of coverage areas and without WiFi. The feature seems design for text messages and emojis rather than photos and videos, and seems like it might initially be limited to the US.
Lastly, iOS 18 will add RCS support. This allows you to send higher-quality images, videos, and voice memos to anyone not using iMessage. Bubbles will still be green, however.
A better Mail app
The default iOS Mail app is getting Gmail-esque email categories. Emails will be sorted into four main categories: primary, transactions, updates, and promotions. Emails like receipts and newsletters can be grouped by sender, and you'll be able to easily archive or delete all emails from a given business. These features won't be available when iOS 18 launches, but are set to launch later this year.
A dedicated Password app
iOS has had a password manager in the Settings app for ages, but this is being broken out into its own app. Passwords will continue to sync across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, but you'll also be able to access them on Windows through iCloud.
Everything else
iOS 18 has plenty of other features, including:
- A redesigned Photos app that does a better job of highlighting collections and memories
- A Game Mode that minimises background activity to improve performance, and improves responsiveness when using a gamepad and wireless headphones
- Hiking routes and trails in Apple maps, but this will initially only be available in the US
- Streaks and other stats in the Journal app
- A feature that lets you send Apple Cash by tapping two iPhones together, but presumably only in the US
- Voice isolation when using AirPods Pro to remove noisy background audio when using the microphone
- New hands-free Siri interactions when using AirPods, allowing you to say yes or no with a nod or a shake
- Live audio transcription in Notes on iPhone 12 and up
Can I update to iOS 18?
Every iPhone that runs iOS 17 will be able to upgrade to iOS 18. You'll be able to install iOS 18 on the following iPhones:
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, Phone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2022), iPhone 12, Phone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2020), iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR
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Alex Choros
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