iOS 18: Apple's Biggest iPhone Release Is Here With Scores Of ...

When Apple launches a whole new iPhone software release, it’s always a big deal. But this one is bigger than most. Apparently, Apple engineers were calling it the biggest ever. Here’s what’s in the very first version, and what’s not. First, though, here’s how to get it.

Apple iOS 18 is out now.

If you have a device that’s running iOS 17, the good news is it will run iOS 18 as well. That’s any iPhone released in 2018 or later, from the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xr onwards. It also includes iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and all models in the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series. This includes iPhone SE second- and third-generation models. If you’re getting an iPhone 16 series phone, then iOS 18 will already be on board.

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Updating to the new software is straightforward, though it’s likely going to be a big download for everybody, and there may be quite the wait as lots of people try to upgrade at the same time. Practice patience.

Open the Settings app, click General, then Software Update. Next, select Download and Install, and let the software do the rest.

Enough to make you feel you have a brand-new iPhone. Note, though, that one of the biggest things in iOS 18 is the introduction of Apple Intelligence, though it won’t be available in this release. When it arrives, it will be for iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max handsets only.

There’s plenty more, though. For a start, there’s the new Passwords app, which is a real boon. There are other apps that do something similar, like the outstanding 1Password, but this is completely integrated into your Apple Account (the new name for Apple ID).

There are improvements to the Wallet app, with redesigned tickets and an event guide. You can now snag live audio transcription — this is one of my favorite updates — so transcribing meeting notes, lectures or interviews is much easier. This works in both the Voice Memos and Notes apps. Notes also has math capabilities built in. The Photos app has been redesigned to make it easier to find the images and videos you’re after.

The Home Screen has much more customization possible, so you can place app icons wherever you like, leaving the right elements of the home screen wallpaper visible. You can also change app icons to look different in Dark Mode, and you can also hide apps so nobody even knows they’re there, and unlock them with Face ID.

On the Lock Screen, there’s now the capability to change what the controls do: they no longer have to be for the flashlight and camera. Messages now offers new ways to show text, you can schedule messages to send later and there’s support for RCS messaging, which means you’ll see read receipts and other information even if the person you’re texting is on an Android phone.

Mail is upgraded with emails in categories and messages grouped so they’re easier to see.

There’s actually much more to iOS 18 than this, and lots more features coming soon in subsequent releases. Apple Intelligence, for instance, is due to arrive in October and its feature set will build over the coming months.

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