Apple's Intelligence features are set to be introduced gradually across several forthcoming updates. These features were not included in the initial release of the iPhone 16 models.[11]
iOS 18's Calculator introduces Math Notes, a new feature that allows users to perform and track calculations on separate sheets, solve mathematical equations, and plot functions on graphs. With integrated handwriting recognition, Math Notes automatically evaluates user input and displays the results in their own handwriting. The redesigned Calculator app, now shared between iOS and iPadOS, marks the first time an official calculator has been available for iPad.[12]
iOS 18 supports Rich Communication Services (RCS) on supported conversations, including support for read receipts and higher-quality multimedia sharing across various platforms. As with SMS, it is designated with green message bubbles and buttons to distinguish it from blue iMessage conversations.[13][14] Availability of RCS messaging varies by carrier availability and compatibility.[15] Apple previously refused the adoption of RCS in iOS.[16]
In 2022, after being questioned about RCS potentially coming to iPhone to increase compatibility with Android, Tim Cook said that iPhone users were not expressing interest in RCS and instead suggested that a solution would be to switch to an iPhone to use iMessage. The person who asked the question followed up, explaining that they use an iPhone while their mom uses an Android phone, to which Tim Cook jokingly replied "Buy your mom an iPhone" to large controversy.[17] The quote was later cited in an anti-trust lawsuit against Apple Inc. filed by the United States Department of Justice.[18]
In iMessage, Animated effects can be applied to any letter, word, or phrase, and text formatting such as bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough can be applied to any part of the text as well.[19] Both can be used simultaneously but cannot be used with the same selected text, however.
iOS 18 includes a significant redesign of the Photos app.[20][21] Slideshows known as collections are now automatically generated and visible at the top of the screen.[22] Support for encoding/decoding the ISO 21496-1 gain map standard for HDR images was added, which allows for cross-platform HDR compatibility while remaining backwards compatible with SDR displays.[23] This redesign has led to backlash from many users who find it too confusing and is said to be the most controversial change in iOS 18.[24][25]
Home screen
iOS 18 allows users to customize the icon color as well as the icon position and size on the home screen.[26] A toggle to activate dark mode icons for first-party apps and many third party ones was implemented. Previous iOS versions arranged icons on a preset grid, but now users can place them anywhere. App Widgets may now be resized in-place or reduced to a normal app icon as desired.
In August 2024, a new feature was introduced which enables users to edit the iPhone home screen through iPhone Mirroring, and is available in iOS 18.1.[27][28]
Apple introduced Passwords, a password manager aimed at simplifying password management for websites, applications, Wi-Fi, and verification codes.[30][31] This new app is heavily inspired by and replaces the Passwords section that was previously found in Settings, with the addition of Wi-Fi passwords. All existing passwords and codes in Settings are automatically moved to the Passwords app upon updating.
Locking/hiding applications
In iOS 18, applications that are visible to the user can be locked or hidden. Locked apps require passcode/biometric authentication to run. Hidden apps are moved to a designated 'Hidden' folder in the App Library; accessing that folder requires passcode/biometric authentication.[32] Hidden apps do not show in other places on the phone such as Siri Suggestions and the Settings app.
RecoveryOS
iOS 18 includes RecoveryOS for the iPhone 16 series that allows users to restore firmware wirelessly from another iPhone 16. While all iPhone devices running iOS 18 are able to recover and restore firmware for an iPhone 16 device, wireless firmware recovery can only work between iPhone 16 devices.[33]
Others
iOS 18 Settings
With iOS 18.1, iOS allows the detection and display of battery health information of a non-Apple battery.[34]
With iOS 18.2, users are able to share a link with others or airlines to track the location of AirTags or other accessories in the FindMy app.[35][36][37]
Reports from law enforcement suggested that a new security feature was added that would reboot iPhones after 72 hours of inactivity to make it harder to hack,[38][39] something that researchers were able to confirm while looking at the code for iOS 18.1.[40][41]
18.2 allowed app developers like Truecaller to add real-time Caller ID and spam-blocking.[42][43][44]
Supported devices
All iPhones that support iOS 17 are also compatible with iOS 18. However, the level of support varies depending on the device's system-on-chip (SoC).
iPhones with the A12 Bionic and A13 Bionic SoCs have limited support for iOS 18,[a] while devices with the A14 Bionic and newer SoCs receive almost full support, excluding Apple Intelligence features.
Apple Intelligence features require an A17 Pro SoC or newer, only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.[9][45] Both the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro, featuring the A18 and A18 Pro SoCs, also support Apple Intelligence and full features.
↑ Spangler, Todd (June 11, 2024). "Apple iOS 18: What's New in the Latest iPhone Software Release". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024. The new Passwords app provides a single place to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords and verification codes. The app also includes alerts for users regarding common security weaknesses, such as passwords that are easily guessed or used multiple times, as well as those that appear in known data leaks.
↑ Singh, Jagmeet; Mehta, Ivan (January 22, 2025). "Truecaller brings real-time caller ID to iPhone users". TechCrunch. Retrieved January 22, 2025. The company was able to implement the feature because Apple introduced Live Caller ID Lookup in iOS 18, allowing third-party caller ID apps to securely make a call to their server to get information about the caller
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