Apple has introduced its latest operating system, iOS 18, to users. This version enhances the iPhone experience with significant improvements in personalization, messaging, photo management, privacy and security. iOS 18 supports a wide range of compatible devices, from the iPhone 16 series to the iPhone SE (2nd generation and above). With this new version, users will meet many innovations that will increase the functionality of their phones. Here are the main features and improvements brought by iOS 18:
Flexibility in Home Screen layout
One of the most striking innovations that comes with iOS 18 is that the Home Screen has become more flexible and customizable. Users can create a custom layout by placing app icons and widgets wherever they want on the screen. It is possible to create an ideal layout for each page by placing icons at the bottom, sides or in any space on the screen. In addition, dark icons can give the Home Screen a darker and more aesthetic look. These icons can be automatically adjusted when the iPhone goes into dark mode or can be configured to remain permanently dark. The color toning feature allows you to play with the colors of the icons and widgets to achieve a look that matches your wallpaper.
Large icons and widgets allow users to make elements on the Home Screen more prominent. This feature is especially helpful for users who have difficulty reading small icons.
Massive improvements to the Photos app
iOS 18 completely redesigns the Photos app, improving the user experience. The revamped interface brings everything together in one view to make managing your library easier. Photos are now automatically organized into Collections. You can browse these collections in collage, grid, memory, or on a map. Collections allows users to find their photos more easily by trip, event, or person. The “Groups” feature stands out, especially for people and pets who are frequently seen together. This innovation makes it easier to organize photos of your loved ones and pets.
The revamped filtering system hides unwanted elements like screenshots, only displaying the types of media users want to see. The speed control feature added for high frame rate videos allows you to slow down the playback speed of videos, which is a major innovation for content creators.
Satellite connectivity and enhanced interactivity in the Messages app
With iOS 18, the Messages app also received significant updates. Now, users can send messages via satellite even when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connection, thanks to satellite connectivity. This feature, available on iPhone 14 and later models, is especially vital in emergencies or in areas where there is no internet connection.
In addition, text effects have made messaging more dynamic and fun with iMessage. Any word, sentence or emoji can be animated with exploding, waving or shaking animation effects. In addition, text formatting features allow text to be written in bold, italic, underlined or strikethrough. These features add more expressive power to messages.
With the new “Send Later” feature, users can schedule messages to be sent at a date or time of their choosing. This allows messages to be planned in advance, especially in the business world or for special occasions.
Control Center and customization possibilities
Control Center also becomes more functional and customizable with iOS 18. Users can now group controls in Control Center and provide quick access to frequently used control groups. In addition, Control Center can be completely personalized with controls added from third-party apps. The control gallery allows users to see all available controls and arrange them as they wish.
A smoother experience in Safari
The Safari browser helps users browse the web more efficiently by hiding distracting content. Summaries and location information that highlight important information on visited web pages give users a quick overview. The redesigned Reader mode makes reading long articles more enjoyable by simplifying text and providing a more comfortable reading experience.
Security and privacy features
iOS 18 also offers important innovations in the field of security and privacy. Thanks to the locked apps feature, users can protect their sensitive information with Face ID, Touch ID or password. Locked apps do not appear in notifications and can be hidden from searches. In addition, there is a locked folder for hidden apps and notifications from these apps are completely blocked. These features keep users’ privacy at the highest level.
Improvements in Bluetooth pairing and data sharing with applications also provide a seamless experience by prioritizing user safety.
Maps and walking routes
With iOS 18, the Maps app has also gained advanced features. Topographic maps that include hiking routes in US national parks have been added, especially for users who hike. These maps provide more detailed navigation by showing elevation and terrain features. In addition, hiking and touring routes that can be used offline can be saved to users’ devices.
iOS 18 stands out as one of Apple’s most comprehensive updates to its operating system. Home screen flexibility, improvements to the Photos app, satellite messaging, enhanced privacy measures, and more significantly improve iPhone users’ daily experiences.