Apple will begin rolling out the iOS 18 for iPhone and they will be available for eligible users worldwide. The updates typically begin rolling out around 6 PM UK time. Apple rolls out these updates simultaneously to all eligible devices.
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Devices from the iPhone XS and newer can run iOS 18. The update is available for the 2018 iPad Pro or newer, 2019 iPad Air or newer, iPad mini, and iPad (6th generation).
Only Apple Watch Series 6 or later can run watchOS 11. macOS Sequoia is available on MacBook Air models from 2020, MacBook Pro models from 2018, Mac mini models from 2018, iMacs from 2019, Mac Studios from 2022 and iMac Pro (2017) or newer.
How to Install the Update:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update. The update can be downloaded, verified and installed through this pathway.
- To install macOS Sequoia, go to System Settings > General > Software Update.
Apple does not charge for these updates. If any website or service asks for payment to install these updates, it’s a scam.
Users now have greater control over their home screen, allowing them to arrange app icons and widgets freely without the top-left alignment restriction.
App icons can also be resized and their colour can be tinted to match either dark mode or custom colours.
The Control Centre has been revamped. Users can add various quick settings in different sizes and shapes. Additionally, multiple Control Centre pages can be created for better organisation.
For example, you could have one page dedicated to media controls and another for smart home controls.
The Photos app has been overhauled with larger featured images and photo carousels. The app can automatically generate collections of photos based on events, trips, or important people in your life. You can pin your favourite collections for easy access or reorganise the layout of the app according to your preferences.
iOS 18 introduces RCS support in the Messages app, making it easier for users to text Android devices, especially when sharing media or using read receipts.
New features include the ability to schedule messages to be sent at a later date and animated text options in iMessages.
Emoji reactions have also been enhanced with the ability to use any emoji or sticker for reactions. The Notes app now supports live transcription for audio recordings and the ability to search through transcribed text.
Notes can now solve mathematical expressions and perform calculations directly within a note. The Keychain feature has evolved into a fully-fledged Password Manager, available across iPhones, iPads, Macs and Windows devices.
Apple Maps now allows users to download topographic maps and create custom routes for walks, hikes and other outdoor activities.
iPadOS 18 Features for iPad Users
The Notes app has received an upgrade for Apple Pencil users. Handwriting can be smoothed, corrected, moved around like typed text and even pasted in its handwritten form.
The new Calculator app is capable of interpreting handwritten expressions, solving algebraic variables, and even plotting graphs.
Similar to iOS 18, iPadOS also includes Maths Notes, allowing inline calculation and the solving of mathematical expressions directly within the Notes app.
watchOS 11
This new feature allows users to create watch faces from personal photos with smart framing and time placement. A new digital face with bold colours that change throughout the day.
An analogue watch face that reacts to your movements. The new Vitals app aggregates and tracks sleep metrics such as heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen, wrist temperature and sleep duration.
It also highlights deviations from typical values and offers potential causes such as alcohol consumption. The Activity app now tracks your Training Load, helping you monitor your workouts and whether your body has recovered enough between sessions.
Live Activities such as ongoing timers, music playback and Uber trips, are now visible in the Smart Stack for quick access.
The double tap gesture can now be used to scroll through apps by pinching your finger and thumb together. The Apple Watch can now track pregnancies as part of its women’s health cycle tracking features.
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macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia incorporates several new features to improve the user experience, borrowing many features from iOS and iPadOS while introducing some unique Mac-specific capabilities.
One of the biggest new features is the ability to mirror and control your iPhone from your Mac. This includes opening iPhone apps, viewing notifications and more, all controlled with a Mac keyboard and mouse.
macOS now provides a simple way to tile windows for multi-tasking. Dragging windows to the screen’s edges will snap them into place and hovering over the green button provides additional tiling options.
In previous versions of iOS, restarting your iPhone meant pressing physical buttons (the side and volume buttons). With iOS 18, restarting your iPhone is as simple as using the new control center. A restart option has been added, eliminating the need for manual button combinations.
Previously sharing a Wi-Fi password was limited to contacts and options for sharing with non-contacts or Android users were cumbersome. iOS 18 introduces a QR code method that allows you to share Wi-Fi credentials easily.
The flashlight on your iPhone has always been useful, but iOS 18 takes it a step further by allowing users to adjust the beam width in addition to brightness. This feature is available on iPhones with the dynamic island.
Voice memos are convenient for capturing ideas or reminders, but finding specific recordings could be a hassle. iOS 18 solves this with automatic transcription.
iOS 18 allows you to hide app labels on the home screen. If you can recognize apps by their icons alone, removing the text underneath each app can create a cleaner look.
Adding widgets to your home screen is easier than ever in iOS 18. If an app supports widgets, you can transform it into a widget directly from the home screen without having to navigate through the widget editor.
iOS 18 provides a subtle way to use Shazam for music recognition, making it possible to identify songs discreetly using the Action Button.
The Photos app has received several upgrades and one of the most useful is the ability to find images containing handwriting and illustrations.
If you’ve ever wanted to share a specific part of a podcast with a friend, iOS 18 now makes it possible. You can share a podcast episode starting from any timestamp you choose.
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