Apple releases iOS 18, macOS 15 Sequoia, more
Today Apple released their annual software upgrades for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod. This year it's a big one!
There are two major focuses with this year's new features: customization and Apple Intelligence (though the AI features are currently in beta and we will get the first of these in October; they are also limited to phone 15 Pro/16/16 Pro, and M-series iPads and Macs).
If you wish to update your iPhone or iPad, the main update screen shows iOS 17.7 which came out today as well. But there is a banner at the bottom of the screen to upgrade to iOS or iPadOS 18.
Here is a list of many of the new features:
Customization
- Place app icons anywhere on your Home Screen
- Tint app icons to any color
- Dark Mode app icons
- Control Center customization with multiple screens
- Lock Screen control customization, even replace the camera button with the third-party camera app of your choice
Continuity
- Control your iPhone from your Mac and get notifications
Messages
- React with any Emoji
- Text formatting and special effects
- Schedule messages to send later
- RCS support (the successor to SMS) to bring many iMessage-like features to conversations with Android users
- Messages via Satellite to communicate when you do not have WiFi or Cellular access (iPhone 14 or later required, images not supported)
Photos & Camera
- New layout with more customization and automatic organization
- Pause while recording video
- Taking a photo or video will no longer pause music playing over Bluetooth
Music
- SharePlay now works on more devices such as HomePod or while your iPhone is playing over Bluetooth, allowing you to invite others to DJ
- Spatial Audio support for AirPlay and CarPlay
Safari
- "Highlights" feature will summarize a website and call attention to important details like addresses or phone numbers
- Distraction Control allows you to remove elements from websites that you don’t want to see
- Web Apps can use extensions
- Viewer simplifies the controls for videos
Passwords
- A new standalone Passwords app makes it much quicker to manage passwords in iCloud Keychain
- View any WiFi password that has been saved to your device, not just the current WiFi network
- Easily view all of your authenticator codes
Maps
- New trails and topo features allow you to find hikes and save them for offline access
- Create your own hiking routes
Calendar & Reminders
- Redesigned month view allows you to see each day visually by calendar color
- Reminder items now appear on your calendar
Game Mode
- Game Mode optimizes your iPhone or iPad for video games (was previously available on Mac)
- Current device resources are directed to your game for the best performance
- Controllers and AirPods run with lower latency
Apple Wallet
- "Tap to Cash" allows you to pay someone with Apple Cash in person by touching your phones together, no need to exchange contact info
- Reward and installment plans for your acccounts are visible within Apple Cash, if supported by your bank
- Event Guides add relevant information about an event to your ticket
AirPods
- Reply to Siri with a nod or a head shake with AirPods Pro 2 to do things such as answer or decline a call
- Voice isolation on AirPods Pro 2 means higher quality voice calls in noisy or windy environments
Notes
- Live audio transcription
- Color highlights
- Collapsible sections
- Smart Script clarifies and straightens your Apple Pencil handwriting
Math Notes
- Use an Apple Pencil or your finger on your iPad or iPhone to draw equations in the calculator app to get answers in real time
- Just about anywhere you can type you can enter an expression and autocomplete will solve it for you
Apple TV
- InSight on Apple TV or the Apple TV app allows you to see the names of actors and current music for supported Apple TV+ programs
- Enhance Dialogue uses machine learning to clarify spoken dialogue
Phone & FaceTime
- Emergency SOS Live Video allows you to share live video with 911
- Live Caller ID lookup
- Automatic mic mode picks the right background noise filtering for your current conditions
- When using a screen sharing session on FaceTime, you can draw on the other person's screen to point something out to them or you can even request to control their iPhone or iPad
- Mail doesn't have any new features with the first release of iOS 18, but very soon AI will give us an inbox that is divided into categories such as promotions and receipts, and email previews will show a summary instead of the first few words
Apple Home
- Grant guest control to specific devices or times
- Robot vacuum support (coming in a later update, brand support not announced)
- Express mode allows supported doors to unlock when your iPhone or Apple Watch are in front of them
- View home electricity use (Pacific Gas & Electric customers only so far)
Health & Fitness
- Completely redesigned Fitness+ with suggestions and search
- Sleep Apnea Detection for Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2
- Activity Rings can be paused or adjusted for different days of the week
Freeform & Journal
- Freeform gets grid snapping, improved diagramming mode, the ability to share your board using a link, and more
- Journal gets goal and mood tracking features, print & export, and more
Accessibility
- Eye Tracking allows you to control your iPhone or iPad with just your eyes
- Music Haptics allows you to feel your music
- Vocal Shortcuts allows you to create custom voice triggers for certain functions
- Vehicle Motion Cues add movement to your screen to reduce motion sickness
Privacy & Security
- Apps can be hidden or protected with Face ID/Touch ID
- You can give apps access to only specific contacts, rather than your whole address book
- New features allowing third-party Bluetooth accessories to connect more securely and more easily