A Guide to iOS 18’s Hidden Features and Smaller Updates

Apple’s iOS 18 update became available to all users on September 16. Prior to the release of Apple Intelligence, the most notable new features were the ability to customize icons on the Home screen, switch app shortcuts on the Lock screen, a redesigned Control Center, RCS support, and a new Passwords app.

But there are plenty of other small, fun changes that might be helpful, too.

We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite features that you may have missed.

Settings

• Instead of listing all apps on the main page of the Settings app, which can lead to a lot of scrolling for those with a lot of apps installed, Apple has now Separate application list Customize your apps. This cleans up the cluttered Settings screen and makes it clear where to find controls for individual apps.

the pictures

• the Photo application Now allows you View your photo library without screenshotsYou can click the sort icon in the lower left corner and uncheck Screenshots under Display Options to hide your screenshots from view.
• the Facilities Group in Photo application He has something new. Content types such as documents, receipts, handwriting, illustrations, and QR codes. Make it easier to find specific information in your photos. Plus, you can view recently added, edited, and shared media items.
• the Photo application automatically Suggests suitable images for wallpapers.
• You can now Copy edits from one image to another, Including aspect ratio, exposure, and white balance.
• Photos app too Automatically organizes your trips in the Trips section. and Bringing people and pets together, So you can find pictures that contain your partner and your cat, for example.
• new Video speed control feature Allows you to create slow motion video effects.

camera

• One of the main complaints from users was that music playing through the earphones would stop playing while taking photos or videos. iOS 18 is working to fix this issue, as Music will continue to play over Bluetooth connections when you take a photo or video.
• the The camera app also gets a new 5-second timer. Along with the 3 and 10 second timers.

Control Center

• You can Customize your Control Center with widgets and buttons. On iOS 18.
• Additionally, one of the major changes in the new offering is that you Now you have the power button in the top right corner. This means you don’t have to press the power and volume down buttons to turn off your device — you can access it from Control Center instead.

Messages

• the Messaging app Finally you are allowed Schedule messages for later, But this option is hidden in the + menu, not as an option linked to the send button, which can make it difficult to find.

• Any message It also now allows you to sendFull resolution images up to 100MB In size.
• Text Effects add animated effects to any letter, word or phrase. Like Explode or Ripple, which makes conversations more visually interesting. You can also add text formatting like bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough.
• When you are off the grid, you can send Satellite messaging When you have no other signal.
• You can now Tapback with any emoji or sticker. Many Tapbacks are distributed so you can easily see the three most recent ones added.

Safari trips

• Safari trips Now he has the advantage of Remove distracting elements from a web page.This feature won’t let you remove ads, but it can clean up some areas of a website that you don’t need or want to see. For example, if a website insists that you subscribe to its email newsletter, you can hide the subscription box. (The Browser Company’s Arc browser implemented a similar feature last year.)
• Summary of highlights It will allow you to read the summary of the article before reading the entire article.
• last Highlights It will direct you to useful information about people, music, movies or TV shows.

weather

• Weather app now has A tool that prominently displays graphics such as temperature. It is combined with the actual temperature in the detailed display. So you can compare both easily.
• Weather will also be applied. Show wind speed, gusts and directions. More clearly.
• You can now Set home and work location From contacts in the weather app.

Siri

• Airpods Now let goRespond to Siri message announcements by nodding or shaking your headThis means you can receive or reject calls with just a few gestures.

Podcast

• New Podcast The application allows you to: Jump to a specific section from the progress bar If the podcast has identified them.
• The Podcasts app also has the ability to: Rearrange and remove rings In the listening list.
• You can Share a specific part of the podcast Use podcasts text.

maps

• Maps have New topographic maps and hiking trails have been added, And create trails, competing with popular third-party tools like AllTrails.
• the Maps application It will allow you Hiking tours are available in all US National Parks without internet connection.Additionally, you can create and Save your walking and hiking trails.
• Apple makes Maps even more useful for exploring by letting you Compare places by browsing photos, reviews and price levels.

Notes

• Notes Support Now Foldable sections So you can create organized documents within the app.
• The app also added Support audio recordingThis means you can record an audio session directly from your note so you can keep the audio with your comments, checklists, and documents. You can even edit the note while recording.
• The Notes app also supports Embedded search in PDF files and highlighting in different colors.
• Both notes and calculator Support for solving mathematical equations.
• You can also add Graphs and various variables Related to equations.

mail

• the Mail application Finally he has a way to Send bulk emails by senderYou can perform quick actions on them, including marking emails as read, deleting them, and archiving them.
• A New Transactions Category It will help you more easily find order confirmations, receipts, shipping and travel information.
• Meanwhile, Updates category Newsletters, news items, and social updates will be collected in one place, similar to Gmail.
• From transactions, updates and promotions, those Time sensitive items will still appear in the primary section. (They will also be categorized with their own category icon for easy reference.)
• there New cleaning tools available From the Mail app, iCloud.com, and through iCloud Mail settings.

Utilities and Keyboard

• the Keyboard Supports now Multiple languages ​​in one keyboardIt also detects the last language you used in apps like Messages and automatically switches between them.
• Apple also introduced Unified selection tool for emojis and stickers On the keyboard and make them searchable.
• The calculator can now Evaluate expressions, assign variables, and create graphs.
• You can ask Permission to remotely control a friend’s device When providing technical support.
• the flashlight The interface on select phones has a fresh, fun design for iOS 18. You can Control the brightness of the variable light and the way the beam width is adjusted.

magazine

• the magazine The application allows you to Record your mood.
• The time you spend writing in the journal will be Logged in within conscious minutes.
• The app also has support for: Audio texts And print your entries.
• You can add Writing Reminders and Tips To your home screen via tools To get you into the habit of writing notes.

Calendar and Reminders

• With iOS 18, Calendar will be added. Show timed remindersYou can create new or edit items directly in the app.
• The calendar also has New perspectives on days, weeks and monthsso you can easily browse your schedule.
• Separately, Reminders app now has multilingual grocery lists and Recently deleted lists.
• Apple now lets you quickly set up New family list items like shared calendars, grocery lists, and password lists.

Files

• The Files app allows you to: Keep specific iCloud files or folders on your phone, They are always downloaded and synced.
• iPhones running iOS 18 now support Other file formats, including APFS, exFAT, or MS-DOS (Fat32)While formatting external drives. You can also clear these drivers from the Files app.

Apple TV App

• The Apple TV app now has Amazon Prime Video An X-ray-like feature called InSight displays information about actors and music. In a show or movie.
• new ‘Dialogue Enhancement Feature It will help you hear what is being said better, even during scenes with loud effects and music.

house

• With the Home app update for iOS 18, you can:Hands-free nlock connected doors.
• You can also Add up to 29 guests to give them access based on time.
• You can Open ultra-wideband compatible smart locks (Available next year) Without taking your phone out of your pocket.

accessibility

• iOS 18 has nNew accessibility features, including eye tracking To control your phone interface.

• plus, Users can set custom phrases to call actions. Like going to the home screen, opening the camera, running a shortcut, or invoking a Siri request.

• iOS 18 also has: Vehicle movement signals in the form of dots on the edges From screen to We help you overcome motion sickness. These points will give you an indication of the vehicle’s movement. You can turn them on, off, or turn on auto-detect mode.
• tactile music The iPhone’s Taptic Engine will match Rhythm of songs Allowing deaf and hard of hearing people to enjoy Apple Music.

Additional reporting: Sarah Perez