iOS 18: Everything you need to know about the iOS update for iPhone. Part 2

iOS 18 is one of the most significant iPhone updates in history. The new operating system introduces Apple Intelligence, Apple’s suite of artificial intelligence tools. We’re also treated to new customization tools, an improved Photos app, and other exciting new features. Let’s take a closer look at what iOS 18 has to offer in the second and final installment. You can read the first one here.

Reworked Control Center in iOS 18

The Control Center has remained unchanged for years, but in iOS 18 it’s gotten a much-needed update. Control Center now has even more controls that you can add as you see fit. You can change the order of controls, even the default options, and you can now have multiple pages and groups of controls. Developers can also create controls for their applications that can be added to the Control Center, and customize the size of each control to suit their preferences.

Finally, you can change the lock screen controls to anything else you want, including supported third-party apps. So you’re no longer limited to just the flashlight and camera. You can also use the Action button to access the new controls.

Big changes to «Photos»

In «Photos» there will be a unified view, rather than separate tabs and sections. The focus will continue to be on the photo library, with a swipe down to view additional content. The additional content includes collections of images that were previously in the “For You” tab, as well as any albums you’ve created.

Additional content includes collections of images that were previously in the “For You” tab, as well as any albums you’ve created.

The new Photos app has new filtering and sorting options to help you find what you’re looking for faster. Sorting options include — “Recently Added” or “By Date Taken.” Among the filters — “Favorites,” “Edited,” “Photos,” “Videos” and “Screenshots.” Once you select a filter, items in that category will be displayed.

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The big focus of the new Photos app is on collections. These are smart groups of photos and videos based on subject, location, type, and other parameters in the metadata. In iOS 18, you can change the order in which these collections appear in the Photo Library grid, or even delete a collection entirely. If you like a collection, you can pin it for easy access.

As mentioned, Apple Intelligence is also present in the Photos app. If you’re using an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, you’ll have access to the new Clean Up photo-editing tool, which gets rid of unwanted people and objects in your photos. Search has also been improved, which understands speech and provides more specific search results. Finally, Memory Maker uses Apple Intelligence to create a custom Memory Movie based on existing photos and videos by simply entering a query.

Memory Maker uses Apple Intelligence to create a custom Memory Movie based on existing photos and videos by simply typing a query.

Many new features «Messages»

The «Messages» app will also get a number of significant improvements in iOS 18. The most significant change will be support for RCS messages to improve communication between iPhone and Android users. With RCS messages, you’ll get end-to-end encryption, read receipts, typing indicators, and — best of all — higher quality image and video transfers. However, RCS messages will still have green bubbles.

The other updates for «Messages» — include rich text formatting, new animation styles, the ability to send texts via satellite, use any emoji or sticker as a tap response, and schedule text messages to be sent at a later date. If you’ve got an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, you can also use Image Playground to create contextual images and personalized Genmoji.

And if you have an iPhone with Apple Intelligence, you can also use Image Playground to create contextual images and personalized Genmoji.

New password manager in iOS 18

Although Apple has allowed users to store passwords in Keychain for the past few years, accessing them was a bit difficult because Keychain was hidden in the Settings app. Thankfully, iOS 18 makes this easier thanks to the new Passwords app. The Passwords app is similar in design to the Reminders app, with category tiles and a search bar at the top. If you’ve already used Keychain, all your saved usernames and passwords will be here, and you can simply authenticate with Touch ID or Face ID.

Passwords is a simple way to authenticate with Touch ID or Face ID.

When you select a password to view, it will show you data like site or app name, username, login, verification code, websites, notes, and more. You can add a new entry, delete existing passwords, edit them, and even sort them by edit or creation date, website, or name at any time.

Add a new entry, delete existing passwords, edit them, and even sort by edit or creation date, website, or name.

All passwords in the Passwords app will be synchronized via iCloud Keychain, and you’ll be able to access the Passwords app on iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and Mac. Apple will also add the Passwords app to iTunes for Windows at a later date. Those who use other password management apps, such as 1Password or LastPass, will be able to import passwords later, but Apple hasn’t yet given an exact date for the feature.

Passwords will be available on iTunes for Windows.

Other updates/features in iOS 18

As you can see, there are a lot of changes in iOS 18, but we’ve only covered the biggest ones. And here’s a quick rundown of the smaller changes that are also worth paying attention to. The Mail app will have a new “Basic” category in a single Inbox that will focus on urgent emails from the people who matter most to you. It will also group emails from the same sender, such as receipts, marketing emails, and newsletters from the same company.

Safari will have a Highlights feature that locates relevant information on a page and highlights it while you’re browsing. The Reader view has also been redesigned to be smarter, with a table of contents and high-level summarization.

In Maps, you can download topographic maps and trail networks, save hikes for offline access, and even create your own walking and hiking routes. For gamers, the new Game Mode maximizes device performance by minimizing background activity and keeping frame rates consistently high. This mode also significantly reduces audio lag when using AirPods, making wireless game controllers more responsive.

The new Game Mode will also significantly reduce audio lag when using AirPods.

Apple Wallet now has Tap to Cash, which lets you hold your iPhone up to another iPhone to instantly send money using Apple Cash. Apple Wallet also now has support for rewards and installment programs, as well as updated event tickets that include an event guide.

Apple Wallet is now available in Apple Wallet.

HomeKit users will be able to do cool new things in the Home app, like giving special control options with guest access and hands-free unlocking with Express Mode.

HomeKit users will be able to do cool new things in the Home app, like giving special control options with guest access and hands-free unlocking with Express Mode.