The Best iOS 18 Features We Can’t Wait to Use

Apple’s iOS 18 is coming in fall 2024, and it shows tremendous promise for the future of its products. Apple released the iOS 18 Preview, and it may be one of the most monumental releases in recent history. What will you have your hands on when it is released to the public? These are what we think the best iOS 18 features will be and what we can’t wait to use. 

Note: This is only available for iPhones after the second generation of the iPhone SE. Everything before this model will be incompatible with iOS 18.

Apple Intelligence

Surprising nobody given how much tech companies are investing in new technologies, Apple Intelligence is Apple’s response to AI. The promo imagery states it’s capable of these functions:

• Expressive writing with Writing Tools and Smart Replies
• Helping you get things done efficiently with Priority Notifications and Messages
• Summarize content in the Mail or Messages app
• Record and transcribe calls
• Has upgraded privacy standards compared to other AI
• Includes new Focus mode

It also has a generative image component with the new Genmoji integration. However, the most exciting thing in this suite is Siri’s upgrade. Apple claims Siri is entering a “new era.” What does this mean?

Siri is more accessible from every aspect of your phone. Double-tap to type to Siri if you can’t speak to it. Also, Siri has better product knowledge about connected Apple devices, posting easy pop-ups to give directions on any function. It also has a more nuanced understanding of language. If you’ve ever asked a question where Siri didn’t understand you, the chances of it responding with something valuable now are way higher.

Personalize Icons Without Workarounds

People have found ways to make iPhones embrace the customization potential of Androids, but it requires external apps or cumbersome workarounds. With iOS 18, it looks like it will be more integrated and streamlined. There are on-screen color options for app logos. Also, Dark Mode fans, eat your heart out — the “Dark” look is here!

Boosted Control Center and Controls Gallery

If you ever forget about your Control Center, it is more accessible and has with a fresh look. There are more options than ever before, including a slider for text size and a “quick note” and recording feature with the touch of a button. You can also change the size and position of every icon. Rapid mobility with the phone’s tools has never been more fluid.

The “Biggest Redesign Ever” for the Photos App

Do you hate manually organizing your photo library? The Photos app is getting a huge renovation, and it looks cleaner than ever. It will automatically separate photos into helpful folders, such as Recent Days or Trips. Additionally, there is a new highlight reel-style Carousel, which shows your photos in a beautiful poster layout.

Messages via Satellites

If you don’t have Wi-Fi or service, you can still send encrypted messages through iMessage because Apple has satellites at the ready. This is perfect for emergencies or traveling long distances outside of your normal service area. This feature is only available on iPhone 14 or later. 

Better Gaming Experiences

Game Mode is here to make your phone last longer and run games at higher capacities. The feature promises consistently high frame rates by minimizing background app activity and other optimizations. It also has functionality with peripherals, like AirPods and controllers. Using movement, such as nodding, it creates a seamless, wireless, interactive experience.

Embedded Password Manager

In light of countless cybersecurity breaches and higher password expectations, keeping track of everything has been harder than ever. Apple wants you to stay within its ecosystem instead of going to LastPass or Bitwarden — it now has a Passwords app to keep everything secure. It comes complete with verifications and security alerts to keep you in the know about what has been compromised. 

Insights View

Apple is also expanding its wellness suite. The Insights view, alongside a boosted Journaling application, will give goal-setters much-needed metadata about their mindfulness and writing habits. You can keep track of your streaks and navigate through your entries with no resistance. 

Home Performance Data 

Build out your smart home with even more info right within your iPhone. You can now change who has access to certain points of the home, including the garage or front door, with straightforward toggles. Forget your house key? You can also unlock your doors with your iPhone in iOS 18. The Apple Watch can do the same. This is only available on iPhone 11 and later. 

Plus, electricity nerds can see how many kilowatts they use every day, seeing percentages of off-peak and peak use. This is only available for some utility providers, but it should expand in the future.

Later this year, it will even feature robot vacuum cleaning support. All you have to do is ask Siri to vacuum and you’ll never have to think about it ever again.

Smarter Apple Wallet

The hype around live events has not faded since people came out of quarantine, and Apple noticed. Do you know how you can add tickets to your Wallet? Well, now they are smarter and contain more information so event goers have access to venue and event at their fingertips without having to go to external websites. See seating maps, times and baggage information in one place.

Wallet also includes a new installment financing feature in the Apple Pay framework. If you want to keep everything insular instead of having to reach out to Afterpay or PayPal for this service, Apple has you sorted.

Audio Transcription With Notes

The Notes app is a classic necessity in the Apple meta, and it’s also getting a glow-up. Now, you can record audio within the app and it will generate transcriptions and summaries automatically. No need to record something via Voice Memo and type it out yourself — the work will already be done for you. For even more customization, you can highlight and manipulate formatting all with your voice. This is only available for iPhone 12 and later.

iOS 18 Features We Can’t Wait to Use

These are only a few of the features we can’t wait to see. There are tons more, including motion controlled AirPods, expressive texting, better privacy, SOS live video and more. Is Apple setting this update up as one of the most pivotal in the iPhone’s lifetime? Fall can’t come soon enough, as this could inspire other tech giants to make some changes in their own products.