Starting today, iPhone users can enhance their customization experience with the release of the iOS 18 update.
The update, made available on Monday, introduces various new options for personalizing the appearance of lock and home screens, along with improvements to messaging capabilities.
“Messages play a crucial role in our communication with the people we care about,” stated Ronak Shah, Apple’s director of Internet technologies and product marketing. “With iOS 18, we’re providing users with innovative ways to express themselves and maintain connections.”
Here are some key details about the new update:
When is iOS 18 available?
The iOS 18 update can be downloaded starting now, with Apple making it available at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET on Monday, September 16.
Which iPhones are compatible with the iOS 18 update?
iPhone users with models ranging from the iPhone X onward can download the update for free.
What features does iOS 18 include?
New features in iOS 18, as highlighted by Apple, include:
– Enhanced home screen customization, allowing app icons and widgets to be placed freely, dark mode activation, and color tint changes.
– Genmojis, which are AI-generated emojis that users can create based on textual descriptions.
– The ability to schedule messages.
– A redesigned Photos app that lets users search images by month or year.
– Image Playground, enabling users to generate images or receive concept suggestions related to their messaging conversations.
– Tools for rewriting and proofreading text in emails, notes, pages, and third-party apps.
– Transcription capabilities in the Notes and Phone apps.
Additional features allow users to schedule iMessages and utilize emoji tapbacks and text effects, which amplify message visibility and enhance responses. Rich Communication Services (RCS) will facilitate smoother messaging between iPhone and Android users.
Further updates will be available when Apple Intelligence is launched alongside iOS 18.1.
What upgrades can iPhone users anticipate?
Apple is introducing a suite of artificial intelligence tools named Apple Intelligence, first highlighted at the Worldwide Developers Conference in June.
These tools will comprise writing features that help users revise emails to enhance friendliness, professionalism, or succinctness. Genmojis will enable users to create emojis through short text descriptions. Siri will also see improvements, enhancing its ability to understand user queries and requests.
When will Apple Intelligence be available?
While iPhone users can now access iOS 18, Apple Intelligence will not be included in this update. Users can look forward to more features with Apple Intelligence when iOS 18.1 launches next month, according to Apple’s announcements regarding upcoming AI capabilities.
“Apple will leverage its hardware, software, and platform integration to promote a unified AI approach, focusing on safe AI applications within its ecosystem,” noted Emarketer analyst Gadjo Sevilla.