Apple announced iOS 18 is now available, bringing iPhone users around the world new ways to personalize their iPhone with deeper customization to the Home Screen and Control Center; the biggest-ever redesign to Photos, making it even easier to find and relive special moments; and major enhancements to Messages and Mail.
Starting next month, iOS 18 will introduce Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that combines the power of generative models with personal context to deliver intelligence that is incredibly useful and relevant while protecting users’ privacy and security.
More Customization Than Ever
In iOS 18, users can customize their Home Screen in exciting new ways by placing app icons and widgets to frame the wallpaper or create the ideal layout on each page. Users can also choose how the app icons and widgets are presented — light, dark, or with a colored tint — or make app icons appear even larger for a new streamlined look.
Control Center is redesigned to be even more flexible. Powerful groups of controls, including favorites, media playback, Home controls and connectivity, and the new controls gallery featuring options from third-party-apps — can be organized so that they’re always just a swipe away. Users can also access their favorite controls from the Action button, and for the first time, users can change the controls on the Lock Screen or remove them entirely.
The Biggest Photos Redesign
The biggest-ever update to Photos makes it easier to find and relive special moments. The beautiful, simplified layout puts the library into a unified yet familiar view. New collections like Recent Days, People & Pets, and Trips automatically keep the library organized with on-device intelligence, so users can spend less time searching and more time enjoying their memories.
Users can personalize their experience with a customizable layout that reflects what is most important to them and pin favorite collections to keep them easily accessible.
Engadget reported Apple’s iOS 18 is available today, but your iPhone may mot be compatible.
Apple just released its new iOS 18 for all eligible iPhones to download free today, which you can find in the Software Update settings. And if you’re planning to buy one of the new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro models coming available on September 20, they’ll already have iOS 18 installed. But not every iPhone will be able to run iOS 18, and even the once that can won’t have the bells and whistles of the new Apple Intelligence features.
That update stratification is nothing now. Generally, each year, some older iPhone models are removed from Apple’s iOS eligibility list. Last year, for instance, the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X were left off the compatibility list. That means that those iPhone owners couldn’t update to iOS 17 and missed out on some notable features,
On the flip side, some older hardware will get major new features: Considering the upcoming software update that effectively turns existing AirPods Pro headphones into a hearing aid, complete with a built-in hearing test. (Apple just received FDA authorization to release that feature later this year.)
In my opinion, there are going to be a lot of people lined up at their nearest Apple Store today, hoping to get the brand new iOS 18 model.