The long-awaited iOS 18 update is now available for everyone to download, and there are hundreds of new features and changes for you to learn about. Some of the additions require a little bit of setup to get up and running, so we’ve created this guide that walks you through the features you should check out first after updating to iOS 18.
Customise Your Home Screen
Entering Jiggle Mode
Tap and hold anywhere on your Home Screen to enter jiggle mode.
New Edit Button and Customization Options
- Edit Button: In the top left corner, you’ll now see an Edit button. Tap on it to access the new customization options.
- Add Widgets: Similar to iOS 17, you can add widgets by selecting this option.
- Edit Pages: Choose which pages of apps to include or exclude from your Home Screen, a feature carried over from previous versions.
- Customize: This is the new feature we’re focusing on.
Customizing Your Home Screen
- Tap Customize: Jiggle mode will stop, and new customization options will appear at the bottom of the screen.
- Adjust Icon Size:
- Small: The default view with the app icon and label underneath.
- Large: Enlarges the app icons and removes the labels. This mode is great for a cleaner look.
- Color and Tinting Options:
- Light: Keeps the familiar light style for icons and widgets.
- Dark: Switches everything to a dark color scheme, ideal for nighttime or a sleek look.
- Automatic: Changes from light during the day to dark at night.
- Tinted: Adds a color tint to your entire screen. Choose from major colors and adjust the intensity using the slider. If you dislike it, you can revert back by returning to the customize menu.
- Sun Icon: Located at the bottom left of the screen, this icon lets you darken the wallpaper. I personally prefer the darker version, but you can choose based on your preference.
Moving App Tiles
- Flexible App Placement: You can now move app tiles anywhere on the grid. They no longer have to stack from top left to bottom right. Feel free to place apps around the edges, leave space in the middle, or create any pattern you like, while still adhering to the grid layout.
Widget Options in App Tiles
- Tap and Hold for Widget Options: Tap and hold on an app that supports widgets, like the Notes app. You’ll see options to select different widget sizes (small, medium, large) directly within the app tile.
Lock Any App
How to Lock an App with Face ID or Touch ID
- Tap and Hold on the App: Find the app you want to secure on your Home Screen. Tap and hold on the app icon until a context menu appears.
- Select “Require Face ID” or “Require Touch ID”:
- On devices with Face ID (like the iPhone 15 Pro), you’ll see an option called Require Face ID.
- On devices with Touch ID, this option will say Require Touch ID.
Choose Your Security Option
- Require Face ID/Touch ID: Locks the app so it can only be opened after Face ID or Touch ID is authenticated.
- Require Face ID/Touch ID and Hide App: Hides the app from your Home Screen and locks it behind Face ID or Touch ID.
Accessing Hidden Apps
- Go to App Library: To access an app that you’ve hidden, go to your App Library by swiping right from your last Home Screen page.
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Find the Hidden Folder: Scroll to the bottom of the App Library, where you’ll find a discrete folder labeled Hidden.
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Unlock the Hidden Folder: Tap on the Hidden folder. You’ll be prompted to authenticate with Face ID or Touch ID. Once authenticated, you can see and access your hidden apps.
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Double-Layer Security: Even after revealing the hidden folder, the app will still require Face ID or Touch ID to open, providing a double layer of protection.
Important Considerations
- Hiding Apps: When you hide an app, it is completely removed from your Home Screen, search results, and notifications. Widgets associated with the app will also be deleted.
This is useful for apps you want to keep completely private, but consider whether hiding the app is necessary or if simply requiring Face ID is enough.
Reverting to Normal
- Unhide and Remove Face ID/Touch ID Requirement: To undo the changes, go to the Hidden folder in the App Library. Tap and hold the app, then select Don’t Require Face ID/Touch ID.
Customise the Lock Screen Buttons
Steps to Customize the Lock Screen Buttons
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Activate Your Lock Screen: Tap once to wake your iPhone and display the lock screen.
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Enter Customize Mode: Tap and hold on the lock screen until the Customize button appears at the bottom. Tap Customize to begin editing your lock screen.
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Select the Lock Screen to Edit: You’ll be given the option to choose between customizing your lock screen or home screen. Tap on Lock Screen.
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Remove a Quick Access Button: You’ll see the two quick access buttons at the bottom of the screen (defaulting to the torch/flashlight on the left and the camera on the right). Tap the minus symbol in the upper left corner of one of the buttons to remove it. For this example, let’s remove the camera button on the right.
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Add a New Function or App: With the button removed, tap the empty icon space where the button was.
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Choose an App: A window will appear asking which app you want to assign to this button. Scroll through the list of apps, find the one you want, and tap on it.
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Save Your Customization: Once you’ve made your selection, press the Done button in the upper right corner to save your changes.
The New Control Center
Accessing the Control Center
- Swipe Down: To access the Control Center, swipe down from the top right corner of your iPhone’s screen.
What’s New in Control Center?
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Power and Add Controls Icons:
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Power Icon (Top Right): Tap and hold the power icon to access power options, including powering down your phone.
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Plus Icon (Top Left): This icon lets you quickly add new controls to your Control Center.
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Dedicated Pages for Controls:
Control Center now organizes controls into dedicated pages. For example: -
Favorites Page (Heart Icon): Displays the controls you access most frequently.
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Apple Music Icon: Takes you to all music-related options. The available pages and controls depend on what you choose to include in your Control Center.
Customizing the Control Center
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Edit Mode (Jiggle Mode):
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Enter Edit Mode: On the Favorites page, tap and hold to enter jiggle mode, where you can rearrange or remove icons.
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Remove Icons: Tap the minus button in the upper left corner of an icon to remove it from Control Center.
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Rearrange Icons: Use the drag bar at the bottom right of each icon to move it around or stretch from the corners to resize it.
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Adding New Controls:
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Tap the Plus Icon: Tap the plus icon in the top left corner or enter jiggle mode and select Add a Control from the bottom of the screen.
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Choose New Controls: Scroll through the extensive list of available controls, including those from third-party apps. Tap on any control you want to add it to your Control Center.
Exploring and Expanding Control Center
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Search Function: There’s a search bar at the top of the screen to help you quickly find specific controls to add.
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Third-Party Controls: With iOS 18, app developers can include their own controls in Control Center, meaning it will continue to expand with new options over time.
Messages Improvements
RCS Messaging Support
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What is RCS?
RCS (Rich Communication Services) allows iPhone and Android users to communicate seamlessly with features like end-to-end encryption, high-resolution image and video sharing, read receipts, and more. -
How to Enable RCS
RCS should be enabled automatically, but you can check by going to Settings > Apps > Messages > RCS Messaging and toggling it on if it isn’t already.
New Animated Text Effects
- Adding Animated Effects
When composing a message, you can now add animated effects to your text. After writing your message, select the text, and tap the A icon in the menu bar above the keyboard. This menu includes the usual text formatting options (bold, italic, underline, strikethrough), plus new animated effects.
Note: Both you and the recipient need to be on iOS 18 or later to view these effects.
Improved Tap Backs
- Enhanced Tap Backs
Tap and hold a message to send a tap back. You’ll notice a refreshed interface with new options. - Swipe Right: See suggested emojis that might be suitable as tap backs.
- Full Emoji Menu: Tap the emoji icon to access the entire emoji library, giving you more options to respond.
Delayed Message Sending
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Scheduling Messages
iOS 18 now allows you to delay sending a message. After typing your message, tap the - button
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Managing Scheduled Messages
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Edit or Delete: Tap and hold the scheduled message box to edit or delete the message.
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Force Send or Reschedule: Tap the edit button next to “Send Later” to either send the message immediately, change the scheduled time, or delete it.
on the left side to access the message menu. Select Send Later and choose the exact time you want the message to be sent.
Safari Improvements
Redesigned Reader View Menu
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New Position
The Reader View menu is now located to the left of the address bar, offering easier access and navigation. -
Quick Access Options
Tapping the Reader View icon reveals frequently used options right away. -
Ellipsis Menu
In the bottom right corner of the Reader View menu, you’ll find an ellipsis (…) that provides access to: -
Privacy Report
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Request Desktop Version
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Add to Favourites
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Add Bookmarks
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Website-specific Settings
Main Screen Features
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Font Size Adjustment
At the bottom center of the Reader View menu, buttons allow you to increase or decrease the font size of the article. -
Manage Extensions
Easily manage extensions that are active for the website you’re viewing. -
Privacy Protections
Adjust privacy settings for the specific website. -
Find in Article
A button in the bottom left allows you to search for specific text within the article.
Enhanced Reading Experience
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Listen to Page
This new option lets you have the content read aloud using your chosen Siri voice. Quick access to playback controls allows you to jump forward or backward, pause, or adjust playback speed. -
Show Reader
Selecting Show Reader lets you view a simplified, distraction-free version of the article. While in Reader mode, you can tap the Reader button again to adjust the background color, font, and other settings, or exit Reader mode.
“Hide Distracting Items” Function
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Remove Specific Distractions
One of the most talked-about new features on iOS 18, this allows you to remove specific distracting elements from a web page. It’s not as comprehensive as a one-button ad blocker, but it’s still quite effective. -
How to Use
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Visit a website with distracting elements, such as ads.
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Tap the Reader View icon and choose Hide Distracting Items.
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Tap on any distracting element you want to remove, and a blue Hide button will appear. Tap it to make the item disappear.
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You can hide multiple items, but note that you can’t scroll while in this mode. Remove a few items, press Done, scroll down, and repeat as needed.
Passwords App
How to Access the Password Manager
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Spotlight Search
Swipe down on your home screen to access Spotlight Search, then type “passwords” to find and open the Password Manager app. -
Home Screen
You may also find the Password Manager as a dedicated app on your home screen. Tap to open.
Exploring the Features of the Password Manager
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Viewing and Managing Passwords
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All Passwords: At the top left of the app, tap All Passwords to view every saved login credential on your device.
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Passkeys: To the right of the passwords option, you can view and manage any passkeys you’ve created. Passkeys are a secure way to log in to websites and services using Face ID, Touch ID, or Optic ID (for Vision Pro users).
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Two-Factor Authentication Codes
The Password Manager can generate verification codes for two-factor authentication (2FA). For example, if you’re logging into PayPal on your computer, you can use this feature to generate a six-digit verification code that your iPhone will automatically insert into the login page. -
Wi-Fi Login Credentials
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Wi-Fi Passwords: View all Wi-Fi networks you’ve connected to, copy or share their passwords, or create a QR code for easy sharing.
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Forget Networks: If there are Wi-Fi networks you no longer use, you can choose to forget them from this section.
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Security Recommendations
The Security Page provides recommendations to improve your account security. If you’re using a weak password, a password you’ve reused across multiple sites, or one that’s been involved in a data breach, the app will flag it here and guide you on how to change it. - Recently Deleted Passwords:
- Deleted Items: If you’ve accidentally deleted a login credential, you can recover it from this section.
- Password Groups:
- Groups: If you’re part of a password group (for example, with family members or colleagues), you can manage those groups here. You can also create new groups to share login credentials securely with others.
- Creating New Login Credentials:
- New Login: If you need to create a new login credential without immediately logging into a website, you can do so by tapping the “New” button at the bottom right of the screen. Simply enter the website name, username, password, and assign it to a group if necessary, then tap “Save.”