iPadOS 18, the latest version of Apple’s iPad operating system, is now available to download, and there are hundreds of new features and changes for you to learn about. Some of these options require some set up to get up and running, so we’ve written this guide that walks you through the 10 features you should check out after installing iPadOS 18.
Notes – Live Audio Transcriptions
Recording Audio and Transcription in Notes
Starting a Recording:
- In a new note, tap the paperclip icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
- Select Record Audio, then press the red button to begin recording.
- To enable or disable live transcription, tap the speech bubble icon.
Finishing the Recording:
- Press the Done button at the bottom right corner to create an audio note.
- A summary of the notes will appear in the recording box, with a play button to listen to the audio file.
Working with Transcriptions
Viewing and Adding Transcriptions:
- Tap into the audio note to see the full written transcription.
- Use the ellipsis in the top right corner to Add Transcript to Note.
- If you have access to Apple Intelligence, you can further process the transcription to create tables, lists, and summaries.
Additional Features
Flexibility:
- You can add more audio files to the note or treat it as a regular note by adding additional content.
- This is an excellent tool for meetings, studying, or attending lectures, as it combines both audio and written content in one place.
Accessibility
Wide Availability:
- The transcription feature does not require Apple Intelligence and is available to all users running iPadOS 18, making it broadly accessible.
Calculator & Maths Notes
Key Features of the iPadOS 18 Calculator
Maths Notes:
- Use the Apple Pencil and iPad together to evaluate expressions, assign variables, and plot graphs directly on your iPad.
- This turns your iPad into a powerful mathematics tool, ideal for users engaged with advanced math.
Calculator App Introduction:
- iPadOS 18 finally introduces a dedicated Calculator app with various useful features beyond basic calculations.
Using Calculator Styles and Conversions
Choosing Calculator Styles:
- Tap the calculator styles button at the bottom left of the calculator to choose different modes, including Scientific.
- Enable Conversions to access a wide range of unit categories, with currency conversions likely being the most popular.
Combining Calculations with Conversions:
- For example, to convert 2,500 US dollars to British pounds and subtract 20%, input 2,500 in the dollar unit box, then subtract 20%.
- The calculator will perform both the arithmetic and the currency conversion in one step, making it a powerful tool for complex, real-world calculations.
Lock & Hide Apps
Locking and Hiding Apps on iPad
Enabling App Lock:
- Long press on any app tile and choose Require Face ID or Require Touch ID, depending on your iPad’s capabilities.
- If your iPad lacks Face ID or Touch ID, you can likely lock apps using a passcode.
Options for Locking:
- You’ll be given the option to either require Face or Touch ID alone or hide the app in addition to requiring biometrics.
- If you choose to hide the app, it will disappear from your home screen and move to a hidden album located at the bottom right of your app library.
- The hidden app folder can only be accessed by unlocking it with Face or Touch ID, keeping its contents private.
Considerations
Privacy vs. Accessibility:
- Hiding the app also removes its notifications and widgets, so you may opt to just enable Face or Touch ID without hiding the app if you prefer to keep those active.
- If you want to revert the settings, locate the app tile again, long press, and select Don’t Require Face ID or Don’t Require Touch ID.
Apple TV Insight
Using the Insight Feature
Accessing Insights:
- While watching Apple TV content on your iPad, look for the Insight button at the bottom left, just beneath the playback progress bar.
- Tap on this button to access detailed information about the current scene.
Information Provided:
- Actors on Screen: See the names of actors currently appearing in the scene. Tap on any actor’s name to see other movies and TV shows they’ve appeared in.
- Music in the Scene: If music is playing, the Insight feature will display song information with a link to Apple Music to find and play the song.
SharePlay with Remote Control
Sharing and Controlling Screens on FaceTime
Screen Sharing:
- During a FaceTime call, tap the share button at the bottom of the screen to either share your screen or request the other person to share theirs.
- If you ask them to share their screen, they’ll be prompted to allow access. Once they do, they can exit FaceTime, and you’ll be able to see their screen.
- You can maximize the shared screen to nearly the full size of your iPad display.
Interacting with the Shared Screen:
- Tap on the other person’s screen to create an illustration that appears on their end, showing where you tapped.
- You can also draw circles, arrows, or other illustrations to guide them through tasks.
Remote Control Feature:
- Press the remote control button to request additional access to their device. Once they grant permission, you can control their iPad as if it were your own, navigating and interacting with it directly.
Utilities in Photos
Exploring the Utilities Section in the Photos App
Accessing Utilities:
- Swipe down almost all the way to the bottom of the screen to find the Utilities section.
Key Features in Utilities:
- Hidden and Recently Deleted Albums: Easily access your hidden and recently deleted photos.
- Duplicate Photos: Find and merge duplicate photos just like before.
- Recent Activity: View photos that have been recently saved, viewed, or edited.
iPhone vs. iPad Differences:
- The iPhone version of the Photos app includes additional features like identifying receipts, documents with handwriting or illustrations, and QR codes. These features are currently missing from the iPad version, which could be due to a bug or may be added in a future update.
Health App Customizations
Customizing the Health App on iPad
Pinned Section:
- At the top of the Health app, you’ll find a pinned section with an edit button. Tap Edit to customize what information appears in this section.
Adding or Removing Items:
- You can remove items from the pinned section or scroll through and add new items.
- A wide range of health metrics is available, allowing you to create a personalized dashboard of your most important health information.
iCloud Dashboard
Accessing the iCloud Dashboard
How to Access:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Tap on your Apple ID at the top, then select iCloud to access the redesigned dashboard.
Key Features of the iCloud Dashboard
Storage Overview:
- At the top of the dashboard, view your current storage situation. Tap on it for a more detailed breakdown of your storage usage.
Saved to iCloud:
- The Saved to iCloud section provides a breakdown of everything currently stored in your iCloud. Tap into any option for more details, such as your last iCloud backup.
iCloud Features:
- If you’re an iCloud subscriber, you’ll find a dedicated section with quick access to all the iCloud features, making it easy to manage your subscription.
Recommendations:
- The dashboard offers recommendations for enabling certain iCloud features, helping you optimize your use of iCloud services.
Safari – Hide Distracting Items
Using the “Hide Distracting Items” Feature
Activating the Feature:
- When on a website, tap the Reader icon to the left of the address bar. Select Hide Distracting Items from the options.
Hiding Elements:
- Tap on any distracting element, like ads or pop-ups, and choose Hide to remove it from the current page.
- Once finished, select Done to tidy up the web page.
Important Considerations
Not a Permanent Ad Blocker:
- This feature is not a full ad blocker. If you refresh the page, hidden items may reappear.
- It’s most useful for long articles, pages you plan to spend a lot of time on, or when taking screenshots of a website.
New Control Center
Customizing the Control Center
Accessing Control Center:
- Swipe down from the top right corner of the screen as usual.
- Tap and hold in a blank space within the Control Center to enter edit mode.
Editing Options:
- Remove Controls: Tap the minus buttons on icons to remove items from your Control Center.
- Rearrange and Resize Controls: Use the drag bars at the bottom of icons to resize or move them around for better accessibility.
- Add Controls: Tap Add a Control at the bottom of the screen to add specific controls from the available options.
Expanded Options and Third-Party Integration
More Control Options:
- There are significantly more options to choose from compared to iPadOS 17, making the Control Center more versatile.
Third-Party App Support:
- Apple has opened up the Control Center to developers, so you can expect additional controls from third-party apps to be available in the near future.