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Apple officially announced iOS 18 at WWDC 2024, and the company’s next major software update is rolling out to its top-of-the-line iPhones later this year.
Major upgrades are coming to core iPhone apps, including Mail, Messages, Photos, Maps and Wallet, while all-new AI tools are coming exclusively to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max via Apple’s new Apple Intelligence feature suite.
Below, you’ll find the key iOS 18 features announced at WWDC 2024, as well as which iPhones will support the new software update.
Cut to the chase
- What is it? The next major iOS release
- When would be a good time? “Later this year”, probably September
- How much is it? It will be a free upgrade
iOS 18: Release Date
During WWDC 2024, Apple confirmed that iOS 18 will launch “later this year.” Based on previous reports, this means the new update will almost certainly roll out in mid-September 2024 (every major iOS release since iOS 6 has rolled out between September 13 and September 20).
The full release of iOS 18 will likely coincide with the launch of the iPhone 16 line and the Apple Watch 10. However, members of Apple’s Developer Program can download the beta version of iOS 18 now (here’s how to download the iOS 18 beta on your iPhone).
At the time of writing, iOS 18 beta 3 is available.
iOS 18: Confirmed Features
Below, we’ve detailed the biggest and best iOS 18 features as confirmed by Apple at WWDC 2024, along with some additional features that appeared in the early iOS 18 betas. As mentioned, Apple also teased a slew of Apple Intelligence features at the same event, but you’ll find a summary of those tools in a dedicated hub below.
Revamped Photos app
iOS 18 brings the biggest redesign to the Photos app ever. Essentially, it merges it into a single view, consisting of a photo grid and a date grid, to better help you find the photo you’re looking for. You can also filter photos by categories, like screenshots and groups.
Advanced Home Screen Customization
iOS 18 gives users the ability to rearrange app icons and widgets. For the first time, you can place apps at the bottom or sides of the screen, freeing up space for the wallpaper behind them. You can also enable a new dark mode for app icons in iOS 18, adding color tints.
Control Center Upgrades
Like the Home Screen, Control Center is also getting an overhaul in iOS 18. You’ll soon be able to split Control Center into separate function groups, like Media and Home, and you’ll also be able to resize Control Center widgets.
iOS 18 also brings the ability for the first time to control which Control Center widgets appear on the lock screen.
Message Upgrades
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With iOS 18, you can reply to messages with any emoji, and you can schedule messages to send at a convenient time in the future. Apple is also adding new text formatting to the Messages app, allowing you to underline, strikethrough, and bold your messages, and add new text formatting options like ripple effects.
The Messages app also supports the RCS standard in iOS 18. This should make for a richer messaging experience when communicating with someone who doesn’t have an Apple device.
Oh, and Apple is also expanding the satellite capabilities of compatible iPhones, so you can send messages via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi connections aren’t available. Handy!
Mail categorization
iOS 18 will harness the power of Apple’s new and improved on-device processing to categorize emails into four folders: Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. The Mail app will also soon be able to offer easy-to-read summaries, so you can quickly scan for what’s important at the moment.
Wallet Upgrades
The Wallet app is getting a new “tap to cash” feature in iOS 18, which should make paying friends easier. Event tickets are also getting a more dynamic design.
ID Verified App Locks
iOS 18 introduces optional Face ID authentication for all iPhone apps, not just Notes and banking apps. You can also hide apps in a new Hidden Apps folder.
An upgrade for Power Reserve
While Apple hasn’t announced it yet, the first beta of iOS 18 did reveal that the iPhone 15’s Power Reserve feature (which lets you access maps and locate your iPhone when the battery dies) will now also display the time. Oddly, this only works on the iPhone 15 line right now.
Math in every text field
With iOS 18, you’ll probably never need a calculator. Enter a math problem into any text field and the OS will solve it for you.
Choose your Home hub
If you have multiple devices that can act as a Home Hub, you’ll probably find the ability to select which device you want to use as a Home Hub very valuable in iOS 18. This way, you can make sure you select the best, fastest option.
iOS 18: Compatibility
Apple has confirmed that any iPhone newer than the iPhone XS will be compatible with iOS 18 (in other words, any iPhone with the A12 Bionic chipset or later). Those are also the same device requirements as iOS 17, by the way.
It’s important to note, however, that Apple Intelligence features will be limited to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, both of which feature the A17 Pro chipset.
The full list of iOS 18 compatible iPhones is as follows:
- 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)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
