Apple’s most recent version of its mobile operating system, iOS 18, was presented during WWDC ‘24 on June 10, 2024. It includes numerous enhancements that users have long desired. From AI integration with Siri and across the system to a standalone Passwords app and the ability to send messages via satellite when your iPhone lacks service, there is a feature that will likely catch someone’s eye.
If you have an iPhone or an iPad, let’s delve into all the important details about iOS 18 that business professionals should know, including the release date and other significant features.
What is iOS 18?
iOS 18 marks the 18th major iteration of Apple’s mobile operating system for iPhone models. It brings intelligent features to Siri and, powered by Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT, offers the ability to customize Home Screen and Lock Screen experiences fully, enhancing on-device security and privacy features.
SEE: Find info on previous iOS versions in these TechRepublic cheat sheets: iOS 17, iOS 16, iOS 15, iOS 14, iOS 13.
When will iOS 18 be released?
Apple is set to launch iOS 18 to the public in Autumn 2024. This follows Apple’s routine of announcing the latest iOS version during WWDC and subsequently releasing it in September of the same year, alongside new hardware like iPhones.
On June 10, 2024, after the WWDC keynote address, Apple made a beta available for developers to install on their test devices. Anticipated but unconfirmed is the release of a public beta for iOS 18 in the next month, based on Apple’s prior release patterns.
How can I install the iOS 18 beta?
Install the iOS 18 developer betas exclusively on development-specific hardware, as some features may not be fully functional at this stage and bugs are common in beta releases. Using this beta on production accounts and devices could lead to data loss.
Registered developers should follow these steps to download and install the iOS 18 beta on development devices. Note: Apple mandates that any device receiving the beta must be part of the Apple Developer Program.
- Log in to your Apple Developer account.
- Choose Downloads and then iOS 18.
- Get and AirDrop the profile to your iPhone, or do steps one and two on the device itself.
- Install the profile on your iPhone and restart when prompted.
- After restarting, go to the Settings app, then General, and then Software Update. You’ll receive a prompt to download and install the latest iOS 18 beta.
For non-developer users, there are preparatory steps to take ahead of Apple’s public beta release of iOS 18.
- Sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program.
- Enroll your device, whether it’s an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, HomePod mini, HomePod 2nd generation, or Apple Watch.
- In your device’s Settings app, navigate to General, then Software Update.
- Choose the iOS Public Beta in the Beta Updates section.
Artificial intelligence runs deep in iOS 18
At this year’s WWDC keynote and iOS 18 reveal, Apple delved significantly into the Apple Intelligence capabilities embedded within the operating system. Starting with Siri, Apple is enhancing the voice assistant’s contextual awareness of ongoing tasks to provide task-specific assistance and information derived from Calendar, Messages, Mail, and eventually, third-party apps.
An interesting feature is that interactions with Siri need not be voice-initiated anymore; you can now type to Siri by double-tapping the home bar on the iPhone. A window will pop up where you can converse through text with your upgraded virtual assistant in iOS 18.
Some additional AI implementations in iOS 18
- Apple is enhancing Mail’s message sorting capabilities and summarizing lengthy emails.
- Photos is upgraded for easy photo and video organization.
- Messages introduces Genmoji, enabling users to create AI-generated emojis for sharing.
Customization in iOS 18
Starting with iOS 16, Apple began supporting more user customization with new user-created wallpapers; in iOS 18, Apple takes customization a notch higher with features that allow complete rearrangement of the Home Screen in any desired layout. The Home Screen icons no longer snap to the grid but can be positioned anywhere on the screen, breaking free of the conventional grid system present since iOS 1.0.
Control Center is also fully customizable, now including additional third-party actions.Thanks to a petite “widget” pattern interface that enables users to drag and drop for rearranging icons and additionally customize the experience within Control Center. The greatest aspect is that these modifications in Control Center migrate to the Lock Screen. Traditionally, a Light and Camera button were positioned in the lower corners of the Lock Screen; now users have the freedom to choose which Control Center feature they desire to display in those button spots.
Security and privacy in iOS 18
Apple’s iCloud Keychain transformed the capability to securely synchronize passwords and passkeys across devices. Apple is now introducing a new Passwords application that is accessible outside of the Settings app on all platforms. This enables simpler password management, viewing passkeys and 2FA codes, and identifying compromised passwords through Apple’s scrutiny against known hacking databases. The new Passwords app operates on Mac, iPhone, iPad, Vision Pro and Windows, courtesy of iCloud synchronization integration.
Apple now enables users to secure specific applications that may be more sensitive. Any app can now be protected behind Touch ID or Face ID due to this new App Lock function. Once activated on an app, authentication is required before usage. Furthermore, any data within the app remains private, not exposed to system features like Spotlight or Siri when the app is locked.
Messages in iOS 18 includes RCS integration and new satellite feature
The primary features of the Messages app that weren’t extensively discussed during the WWDC ’24 keynote include messaging via satellite in the absence of cellular service and integration with Rich Communication Services.
Through RCS integration, iPhone users can exchange higher-quality photos and videos, alongside long-form messages with Android users and other compatible devices supporting the RCS standard over SMS. This enhancement significantly enhances interoperability across various platforms.
The Messages via Satellite feature expands on the capabilities of the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 to dispatch emergency messages via satellite. This feature enables iPhones without cellular connectivity to communicate with contacts via iMessage or text through satellite connections instead of cellular networks. This remarkable feature will delight many globetrotters, hikers, and other off-grid individuals.
Moreover, Apple introduces a novel feature in the Messages app, allowing users to generate personalized emoji using AI. These Genmoji creations can develop customized emojis or profile pictures automatically in iOS 18 and can be integrated into third-party applications as well.
Another noteworthy feature is the ability to schedule message dispatches within the Messages app, permitting you to choose the specific date and time for sending a message or reply.
Other notable iOS 18 features
- You can now use the Phone application to capture and transcribe live phone conversations directly.
- Mail now has an enhanced AI feature that organizes emails into specific folders, allowing you to view emails in a different manner, categorizing them by type or sender.
- Mail will group receipts, marketing emails, and newsletters by sender in a sequential manner for easy reading.
- Writing Tools is a contextual utility that can proofread, write, summarize, and more across first- and third-party applications using Apple Intelligence. It can be invoked by selecting a block of text.
- With hands-free Siri integration on AirPods Pro, you can nod or shake your head to answer calls or respond to Siri queries without using your hands.
- A newly added feature in Notes transcribes live audio and offers summaries of your audio recordings from meetings.
- Notes now has the ability to solve math equations by simply typing them in followed by an equal sign. The app will then calculate the equation for you.
- Enhanced formatting options in Notes include the capability to highlight text with specific colors and collapse particular sections of a note.
- The redesigned Privacy and Security Settings interface in the Settings app allows for easier visibility into which apps have access to various privacy settings.
- Through Eye Tracking technology, users can now operate their iPhones solely with their eyes in a new Accessibility mode.
- You can easily customize Home Screen app icons for light or dark mode, or tint them as you desire with a new feature that enables you to create monochromatic icons or tint all icons to your preferred color.
- The Control Center now includes a widget-like gallery for browsing available controls that can be accessed within the updated Control Center interface or Lock Screen action buttons.
- Users can rearrange and resize Control Center actions according to their preferences.
- Photos will now automatically organize your photos based on their content using AI, allowing you to filter and sort through your photos more efficiently.
- Messages support text formatting features such as bold, italics, underline, and strikethrough.
- Messages now offer animations for specific text sections to emphasize them. iOS 18 can suggest appropriate animations automatically or allow you to select from your favorite options.
- The tapback feature in Messages can be paired with any emoji, providing a more expressive way of responding than standard tapbacks.
- Safari utilizes AI to identify specific elements on a web page, displaying relevant information like directions, quick links, people, music, movies, and TV shows.
- The Reader function in Safari, enhanced with AI capabilities, can now summarize web pages without the need to read the entire article, perfect for quick catch-ups on the go.
- Maps now includes trail details, maps, and directions for all 63 U.S. national parks, with the option to download these maps and trail details for offline access.
- The Game mode on iOS 18 and iPhone optimizes graphics performance by suspending background tasks to focus solely on displaying the best visual output on the screen.
- Wallet has been updated to display loyalty points and merchant account information.
- Event tickets within the Wallet app feature a revamped design that includes essential details like event directions and weather.
- Wallet facilitates easy money transfers without the need to exchange contact details. With Tap to Cash, you can simply tap your iPhone to another user’s device to exchange funds via Apple Cash balance.
- Emergency SOS live video enables users to stream their camera feed to a qualified dispatcher during emergency situations.
What devices will iOS 18 support?
iOS 18 is compatible with the following devices, with some features requiring the latest models for full functionality, such as satellite capability and advanced machine learning features:
- iPhone 15.
- iPhone 15 Plus.
- iPhone 15 Pro.
- iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- iPhone 14.
- iPhone 14 Plus.
- iPhone 14 Pro.
- iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- iPhone 13.
- iPhone 13 mini.
- iPhone 13 Pro.
- iPhone 13 Pro Max.
- iPhone 12.
- iPhone 12 mini.
- iPhone 12 Pro.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max.
- iPhone 11.
- iPhone 11 Pro.
- iPhone 11 Pro Max.
- iPhone XS.
- iPhone XS Max.
- iPhone XR.
- iPhone SE 2nd generation or later.
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