iOS 18 has a bunch of new features.
Now that the WWDC keynote is over, we can digest the announcements a little more calmly. And there were certainly enough to give indigestion if consumed at one sitting. Here, I’ll concentrate on the best new iPhone upgrades that aren’t based on Apple Intelligence. Some are coming to the iPad, Mac and Apple Watch as well.
1. An All-New Home Screen
If you’ve ever found you don’t like the arrangement of the app icons on your home screen, and envied Android users who can put theirs all anyhow, you’ll be glad of this upgrade.
Place app icons wherever you like in iOS 18.
With iOS 18, you can place icons and widgets wherever you want—though there’s still no option for an entirely app-free screen, unless you count the lock screen.
You can also tint app icons, for example, in dark mode, which looks cool and potentially confusing in equal measure if you just can’t associate an app with its new color.
2. A New Lock Screen Detail
Quick access to the flashlight and camera on the lock screen is handy, but, as you’ll know, you can also swipe the lock screen to the left to launch the camera, so maybe you’d prefer something in its place? Or maybe you never use the flashlight—seriously, who are you?
Now, you can swap these two for other items, such as Translate, Shazam or, my favorite, Magnifier.
New iMessage text effects coming.
3. Messages Upgrade
Tapback with any emoji or sticker, not the small range currently available. Add text formatting options such as underscore or strike through. Not to mention effects called Shake, Explode and Jitter.
4. Messages via Satellite
And with iOS 18, satellite connectivity becomes much more usable with everyday capabilities: iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 users will be able to send iMessages without Wi-Fi or cell service. Big changes coming, then.
5. Apple Wallet
Tap to pay for Apple Cash is coming, making settling a debt intensely simple and quick (for places where Apple Cash is available).
The new Passwords app.
6. Photos
The redesign of the Photos app is the biggest ever, Apple says. A simple view with a grid of images is meant to be easier than going into albums. Content is auto-played throughout the app and there are sections for favorite people, places and—most importantly—pets.
7. Passwords
Apple rarely introduces new apps and this one’s important. Keychain is already great, but a dedicated app will encourage people to save passwords securely and not just use PASSWORD for everything. I’m still devoted to 1Password, but let’s see.