iOS 18 has been officially announced, bringing significant enhancements to Mail, Messages, Photos, and additional features.
The upcoming software update from Apple appears to be the most significant in several years.
Apple has officially unveiled iOS 18, the forthcoming iteration of its iPhone operating system, during WWDC 2024 (refer to our WWDC 2024 live blog for a summary of the major announcements).
This substantial software update will introduce notable enhancements to essential iPhone applications, including Mail, Messages, Photos, and Wallet, later this year, with many improvements stemming from Apple's focus on "on-device intelligence."
For example, the Mail application will soon feature the ability to categorize emails and generate easily digestible summaries. Meanwhile, the Photos app will be consolidated into a unified view that includes both a photo grid and a date grid, allowing users to filter images by themes such as screenshots and groups, eliminating the need to sort content into albums.
In the Messages application, iOS 18 will enable users to react to messages with any emoji and schedule messages for future delivery at a preferred time. Additionally, Apple is introducing new text formatting options, allowing users to underline, strikethrough, and bold their messages, as well as incorporate new text effects, such as ripple effects.
The Messages application is set to incorporate support for the RCS standard, enhancing the messaging experience when interacting with individuals who do not possess an Apple device. Additionally, Apple is broadening the satellite functionalities of compatible iPhones, enabling users to send messages via satellite in the absence of cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity.
For the first time, iOS 18 will allow users to rearrange app icons and widgets. This feature will enable the placement of applications at the bottom or side of the screen, thereby creating additional space for the wallpaper behind them. Furthermore, users will have the option to activate a new dark mode for app icons in iOS 18, along with the ability to apply color tints.
The Control Center is undergoing enhancements in iOS 18. Users will soon have the ability to categorize the Control Center into separate functional groups, such as Media and Home, adjust the size of Control Center widgets, and customize which widgets are displayed on the Lock Screen.
In addition, the Wallet application is receiving an upgrade that includes a new 'tap to cash' feature, designed to facilitate payments to friends. Furthermore, iOS 18 will introduce optional Face ID authentication for all iPhone applications, extending beyond just Notes and banking applications.
At WWDC 2024, Apple introduced its innovative approach to artificial intelligence, referred to as Apple Intelligence. This development is poised to enhance iOS 18, making it a significant upgrade for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, exclusively. Apple Intelligence is designed to assist in processing and generating language and images, executing tasks on behalf of users across various applications, and streamlining daily activities.
While Apple has not yet provided a specific release date for iOS 18, it is customary for the company to launch the latest version of its operating system in conjunction with the introduction of new iPhones. The iPhone 16 series is expected to be unveiled in September of this year, which is likely when iOS 18 will be made available for download on compatible iPhone models.
Additionally, members of Apple's Developer Program currently have the opportunity to test an early version of iOS 18. For detailed instructions on how to download the iOS 18 beta, please refer to our guide.
Regarding compatibility, Apple has confirmed that iOS 18 will require an iPhone XS or a more recent model, meaning any iPhone equipped with an A12 Bionic chipset or later will be eligible.
Written by: JD