Apple Brings Distraction Reduction Feature to iPhone with iOS 18 Beta

Apple on Monday released the iOS 18 developer beta 5 for iPhone. The update brings a handful of new features for Apple users, some of which are based on feedback received from previous beta updates. The Photos app’s user interface (UI) has been tweaked to make accessing media easier, while the Safari browser is getting a new feature aimed at reducing distractions while reading web pages. The update also includes bug fixes and system improvements for iPhone.

iOS 18 Developer Beta 5 Features

At the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 on June 10, Apple unveiled its revamped Photos app featuring a new carousel that allowed users to view highlights that updated daily. When it rolled out with the developer beta, it was met with mixed feedback from users, with some complaining about the complexity of viewing media. It appears Apple has listened to the feedback by rolling back the carousel feature with iOS 18 Developer Beta 5.

iOS 18 Developer Beta 5 is now available

The update also brings a new feature to Safari that can potentially reduce distractions, such as ads appearing on the page. The feature, called Hide Distracting Items, is capable of hiding various elements that overlap a web page. However, it explicitly states that it is not an ad blocker and that the hidden items will reappear when the page is refreshed. It also does not hide items automatically, but requires manual selection.

According to Apple, the update also brings new dark mode icons for two default apps: Find My and Maps. There are tweaks to the Screen Mirroring and Cellular Data icons in the iPhone’s Control Center. There’s also a new Editing Pages The option now appears when users press and hold on the home screen, allowing them to delete certain home screen pages.

In addition to rolling out the iOS 18 Developer Beta 5 update for iPhone, Apple also released the fifth developer betas of iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, tvOS 18, and macOS Sequoia beta 5 for its devices. iOS 18 is expected to be publicly available for iPhone users later this year.