Apple has unveiled a preview of iOS 18, the new major update to the iPhone, with new customization features, a redesigned Photos , and more.
See also: Which iPhone models can support iOS 18
iOS 18 features new customization tools for the Home screen. App icons now have Dark Mode , and users can choose a color to create a unique look. Apps can also now be freely placed anywhere on the Home screen.
Control Center is redesigned and highly customizable with a new collection. Developers can provide tools for their apps in Control Center. Users can swipe up to access other Control Center screens. The Lock Screen is also customizable.
In Messages, tapbacks have been redesigned and users can now react with any emoji. In Apple's new iOS 18, users can also schedule messages to send later, as well as format text with bold, italic, underline, and strikethrough. New text effects provide ways to emphasize words and phrases with auto-suggestions. Users can also now send and receive messages with satellite connectivity.
In Mail, emails are automatically sorted into categories to help prioritize messages. There are also new topographic maps with trail networks and hiking routes in the Maps app. In Wallet, a new Tap to Cash sends cash simply by holding two iPhones together.
See also: iOS 18: The upcoming AI features will be called "Apple Intelligence"
The Photos app has been completely redesigned in iOS 18. It’s been unified into a single view, with a grid of photos at the top that shows your entire library and collections organized by theme. Users can use month and year views at the bottom, and there’s a filter button that lets you hide screenshots and sort in other ways.
The space below the grid includes browseable Collections by themes like Time, People, Memories, Travel, and more. Swipe right from the grid and you'll see a new carousel of Featured Photos and other favorite collections. It automatically refreshes to show new images.
Users can now lock apps with authentication, while hiding information from Search and Siri. Apple's new iOS 18 also includes a new way to more seamlessly connect accessories.
iOS 18 also brings RCS messaging support to the iPhone, larger home screen icons, and calendar reminder integration.
Gaming mode also comes to iPhone for the first time, minimizing background activity to keep frame rates high, as well as more responsive connections to AirPods and wireless game controllers.
See also: Apple: Launches the "Passwords" app in iOS 18 and macOS 15
The first developer beta of iOS 18 is now available, with a public beta following in July and an official release to the public in the fall.
Source: macrumors
