Everything you need to know about the AI-powered iOS 18 update
The iOS updates just keep getting better and better!
During their annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple detailed iOS 18 will use artificial intelligence and generative AI features to help you in your daily tasks and make you work faster and easier.
Arriving this fall, the iOS 18 also has more customization options, the "biggest redesign ever" of the Photos app, new ways for users to manage their inbox in Mail, Messages over satellite, and more.
Perhaps the most notable feature in the latest software update is the introduction of "Apple Intelligence." It is a personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac capable of understanding and creating language and images, taking action across apps, and drawing from personal context to simplify and accelerate everyday tasks.
Through the Writing Tools, users can rewrite, proofread, and summarize longer text in almost every app, including Mail, Notes, Pages, and other third-party apps.
You can also use it to create images to express yourself through Image Playground, wherein you can choose from three styles: Animation, Illustration, or Sketch.
Lastly, the system can help you arrange your photos by choosing the best pictures and videos based on your description. Additionally, you can craft a storyline with chapters based on themes identified from the photos and also present them as a movie with its narrative arc.
A new feature called the Clean Up tool can identify and remove distracting objects in the background of a photo without affecting the subject.
Here are the other exciting things you can enjoy with the upcoming update:
Customization
This time, Apple lets you get even more creative with your home screen. The new Dark look will tint your apps with any color of choice or have iOS suggest a color that complements your wallpaper. You can also make apps and widgets appear larger.
Rearranging your apps and widgets wherever you want them is also possible with this update—whether they're at the bottom for quicker reach, or on the sides to frame a favorite wallpaper.
Photos
Apple's "biggest redesign" on their Photos app keeps your library organized and allows you to find photos faster and easier.
With Collections, your photos are automatically organized by topics like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. The Carousel feature meanwhile highlights your best content in a "beautiful, poster-like view."
Messages
The iOS 18 finally gives users the capability to schedule their messages to be sent at a later time or date.
You can also stay connected with your contacts over iMessage or SMS even without cellular or Wi-Fi service as messages can be sent using satellite.
Now the fun part: emojis. You can send a Tapback with any emoji or sticker to your liking—this includes Live Stickers made from your own photos and stickers from your favorite sticker packs.
Another improvement the new software update adds to your device is organizing your email to highlight the essentials, such as those from people you know and time-sensitive messages.
Safari
Apple's exclusive web browser Safari will be designed to automatically detect relevant information on a page and highlight it as you browse.
This can be helpful information like directions and quick links to learn more about people, music, movies, and TV shows, among others.
Passwords app
The iOS 18 will also launch a standalone password manager app to securely store all your passwords, verifications, and security alerts.
The company assures that all the passwords sync securely across your devices, and if you use AutoFill, your passwords will automatically be added to the Passwords app.
Game Mode
Gamers can also enjoy hours of continuous gameplay as the update can minimize background activity to sustain consistently high frame rates.
Wallet
Cash transactions just got a whole lot easier with the "Tap to Cash" feature, which lets you send and receive Apple Cash by simply holding two iPhone devices together.
You no longer have to share phone numbers or email addresses, as this can be authenticated with Face ID, Touch ID, or passcode.
Notes
The Notes app has been upgraded to allow you to record audio sessions within your notes and generate live audio transcriptions, so you no longer have to go through the hassle of rewriting your lectures.
You can also use it as a calculator by entering an expression and seeing the answer immediately.
The iOS 18 has yet to have a specific release date this fall, but Apple detailed that it will be available for iPhone Xs and later. Apple Intelligence will meanwhile be available in beta on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPad and Mac with M1 and later.