Top 15 New Features in Apple iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

List of Models Compatible with iOS 18

iPhone Compatibility:
- iPhone SE (2nd Gen or later)
- iPhone XR, XS, XS Max
- iPhone 11 or later
 
iPad Compatibility:
- iPad (7th Gen or later)
- iPad mini (5th Gen or later)
- iPad Air (3rd Gen or later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st Gen or later)
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd Gen or later)

How to Install iOS 18
Before updating to iOS 18, ensure you back up your data. Use iCloud for backup by navigating to `Settings`, tapping your name, then `iCloud`, and finally `iCloud Backup`. Activate it and select `Back Up Now`.
 
Once backed up, go to `Settings > General > Software Update`. You'll find the option to download and install iOS 18 there. Tap to begin the download, and once complete, tap `Install Now`. The update process will restart your device once finished.

Apple Intelligence Features
 
Rewrite
This functionality aims to make text editing and content review more efficient. Whether you’re crafting an email or refining a document, you can use the “Rewrite” tool to rephrase sentences for clarity or conciseness.

Summarize
The “Summarize” tool is particularly handy for distilling long articles or reports into concise summaries, saving you time and effort in digesting large amounts of information.

Audio to Transcript
This feature extends the utility of your device by allowing you to record speeches, lectures, or meetings directly in the Notes or Phone apps. The recorded audio is automatically transcribed into text. Moreover, it can summarize the key points, making it easier to review important information without listening to the entire recording again.

Smart Reply in Mail
This tool analyzes the text of an incoming email and suggests responses that address specific questions or points raised in the message. This can dramatically speed up your email handling process, as it prepares draft replies that you can adjust as needed, streamlining your communication.

Image Playground App
This new application is designed for creative expression, allowing users to create, edit, and share images. You can access a library of your previous creations, remix them, or start from scratch. It’s integrated with social platforms, making sharing your creations seamless.

Genmoji
Create emojis that are tailored to the context of your conversation. You can describe a scenario, and the system will generate an emoji based on your description. If you want an emoji that resembles someone, you can even select a photo from your library to generate a matching Genmoji.

Image Wand
This tool enhances the functionality of the Notes app by allowing you to draw around a sketch or even an empty space. The Image Wand then analyzes the context and generates related visuals, which can be used for quick note-taking or creative projects.

Text Siri
This feature provides a discreet way to interact with Siri by typing instead of speaking. It’s particularly useful in quiet environments or situations where voice commands would be inappropriate. Simply double-tap the bottom of your screen to activate it and type your request.

Personal Context Understanding
Siri now has deeper integration with your device’s data, enabling it to provide personalized responses based on your interactions across emails, messages, and photos. For instance, if you ask Siri about a movie recommendation received in a text message, it can retrieve this information from your conversation history.

ChatGPT Integration
Siri’s capabilities are further enhanced through integration with ChatGPT, which can provide more detailed and contextually relevant responses to queries. This feature is especially useful for complex questions or when additional insight is needed, such as understanding content in documents or presentations.

Flexible Home Screen Layout
iOS 18 allows more dynamic customization of the Home Screen. You can place icons and widgets anywhere on the screen, not just in the predefined grid. This flexibility lets you tailor the layout to your usage patterns, making frequently used apps more accessible.
 
Tinted and Dark Icons
Customize the color of app icons and widgets to match your wallpaper or set a specific mood. The system can suggest colors to get you started. In Dark Mode, icons and widgets can automatically adjust to a darker color scheme, maintaining visibility and reducing eye strain.

Redesigned Control Center
The new Controls gallery displays the full set of available controls, including new controls from third-party apps, that you can drop right into the group you choose, or build out entirely new groups too.

Most Extensive Design Overhaul
In iOS 18, the Photos app has undergone its most significant redesign to date. The interface now features a top-positioned photo grid and allows for easy swiping through various collections like Recent Days, Trips, and People & Pets. Accompanying this redesign are multiple enhancements driven by Apple Intelligence, including the Clean Up feature that removes unwanted background objects in photos, and enhanced search capabilities that simplify finding any image quickly.

Password App
See all your passwords, passkeys, verification codes, Wi-Fi passwords, and Sign in with Apple credentials for websites and apps in one place.

Journalling for well-being
Log your state of mind in the Journal app. You can also automatically add the time you spent journalling as mindful minutes in the Health app.

Additional iPadOS 18 Features
 
Smart Script
This tool transforms your handwritten notes into clear and legible text while retaining the personal flair of your handwriting. It’s particularly useful for users who take notes quickly and want to maintain readability.

Calculator App with Math Notes
The new Calculator app on iPad goes beyond basic calculations. You can write out equations using the Apple Pencil, and the app will solve them in real-time, akin to interacting with a digital paper.

Other Noteworthy Features
 
Call Transcripts: Automatically transfer transcripts of your calls to the Notes app, making it simple to revisit important conversations.
 
Locked Apps: Enhance the security of your app data by preventing unauthorized external access with updated locking options.
 
Eye Tracking: Control your device with eye movements for a seamless, hardware-free accessibility experience.
 
Siri and AirPods: Use nodding or shaking your head to communicate with Siri while using AirPods, allowing for intuitive, hands-free control.
 
Game Mode: Improve your gaming sessions by boosting frame rates and reducing background operations, ensuring smoother gameplay.

Conclusion
iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 bring transformative changes to iPhone and iPad, making them more intuitive, personalized, and secure. Whether through improved accessibility features or intelligent personal assistants, these updates enrich your interaction with your devices, ensuring a more connected and efficient digital experience.