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