The lesser-known iOS 18 tricks we're most excited about
iOS 18 delivers plenty of head-lining features in Apple's WWDC 2024 announcement, from the redesigned Photos app to the rebooted Siri and Apple Intelligence for the iPhone 15 Pro series. But what are some of the little tricks that we are most looking forward to trying on our iPhone this year? We've put them all together here.
One of the biggest themes for iOS 18 is Android-style customization, and Apple now lets us arrange app icons and widgets at the bottom or side of the screen. The color tone of the app icon and the new dark mode are also coming soon, but we're particularly keen to try to remove the ultra-clean potential of the app tag.
You can learn about the feature in the roundup below, as well as some other new tricks, such as satellite messaging and AirPods "head gestures". You can download the iOS 18 beta right now, but it's a bit buggy and lacks some features. Most of us will get the final version of iOS 18 in mid-September, and possibly the iPhone 16. Until then, here are some of the best new features of iOS 18 to whet your appetite......
1. Super minimalist interface by hiding app tabs
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
(Image source: Apple)
iOS 18 is the biggest update ever to the iPhone's software design language. Home screen customization lets you rearrange and position apps, just like on Android, and also hides app names.
2. Messages lets you text via satellite
- Compatibility: iPhone 14 or later
(Image source: Apple)
This extension for Emergency SOS will allow you to send or receive iMessage or SMS texts using satellites and support all common features, including tapbacks and emojis.
Apple hasn't revealed whether you'll need to pay for text messages via satellite, although Emergency SOS is still free for two years after you buy an iPhone 14 or iPhone series model. After that, Apple may start charging, but if it can help you get out of the cellular blind zone loophole, it might be worth it.
3. AirPlay now supports spatial audio
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
This is great news for HomePod users, as well as anyone who has one of the best AirPlay speakers that support spatial audio.
4. You will be able to enter a question into Siri
- 兼容性:iPhone 15 Pro 或 15 Pro Max
Siri has finally been given a new look and has undergone the brain transplant that it has needed for years, albeit only on the iPhone 15 Pro series. That's because the reboot is powered by Apple Intelligence. Still, one of the most useful new features is the ability to type questions into Siri, effectively turning it into a chatbot.
5. AirPods Pro 2 users can shake their head to decline the call
- 兼容性： AirPods Pro（第 2 代）、iPhone XS 或更新机型
If you own a pair of AirPods Pro 2 earbuds, a neat new feature of iOS 18 is Head Gestures. For example, if you're stuck in a crowded elevator and get a call, you can tell Siri to decline the call by shaking your head (or, if you want to answer the call, nod).
6. Ability to lock and hide apps
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
iOS 18 finally brings the option to lock or hide apps from the home screen. Apps that you decide to lock or hide are hidden in search and notifications, and locked apps can only be accessed in the Hidden Apps folder, which can only be opened with Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
To enable the feature on iOS 18, all you need to do is press and hold the app, select "Require Face ID", and then "Require Face ID" or "Hide and require Face ID".
7. Texting Android fans would be much better
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
This means that the messages you send to your Android fans will quickly get many of the benefits of iMessage, including high-resolution images, read receipts, and more. Of course, Apple will still protect its precious blue iMessage bubble by continuing to provide green bubbles for RCS messages.
8. It's finally time to change the lock screen shortcut
- 兼容性： iPhone XS 或更高版本
How many times have you accidentally turned on your iPhone's flashlight and blinded a friend because its lock screen shortcut didn't help? Okay, maybe it's just us, but either way, you'll be happy to see that iOS 18 finally allows you to choose different lock screen shortcuts.
9. A new password app can help you switch to a passkey
- 兼容性： iPhone XS 或更高版本
Apple has introduced a new password manager app in iOS 18 – this could be a convenient new way for you to autofill passwords and verification codes on your iPhone, Mac, iPad, or even PC (when using the iCloud app for Windows). But another potential benefit is to help you migrate to passkeys.
10. The Home app can now automatically unlock the door, helping you monitor your bills
- 兼容性： iPhone XS 或更高版本
This is a particularly good update if you have a smart lock, because starting with iOS 18, the Home app will offer "guest access" to help you quickly get visitors to your front door or garage. There's another particularly sci-fi trick out there; When you're six feet away from them, the "hands-free unlock" instantly opens the supported lock, which sounds useful if you have a lot of shopping.
11. Game mode, playing games on iPhone is about to get better
- Compatibility: iPhone XS or newer
- 兼容性： iPhone XS 或更高版本
Yes, this is a feature that has been around on Android phones for years, but the iPhone gets a dedicated game mode in iOS 18.
Like the Mac version, Game Mode will minimize background activities such as notifications to help your game run at the highest possible frame rate. Apple also promised that it would "dramatically" improve the responsiveness of AirPods and wireless game controllers.