iOS 18 is launching today how to get it and 5 reasons why you should

Date:
Mon, 16 Sep 2024 10:41:15 +0000

Description:
iOS 18 is now rolling out on compatible iPhones. Here's a list of our
favorite features.

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iOS 18 is launching today, with Apple having confirmed the software updates September 16 release date at the most recent Apple Event .

Based on past form, we expect iOS 18 to begin rolling out at around 1pm ET / 10am PT / 6pm BST, though the actual release time will vary between regions. Well be updating this article throughout the day as the update starts to become available.

Incidentally, if youre expecting to find Apple Intelligence features in the launch version of iOS 18, think again. Apple has confirmed that Apple Intelligence wont be arriving until iOS 18.1 in October , and even then, some Apple Intelligence features will be further delayed until later in the year . You can, however, take Apple Intelligence for a spin right now as part of the iOS 18.1 beta if you own an i Phone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max .

In this guide, were focusing on the launch version of iOS 18 specifically. Below, youll find a list of compatible iPhones, a brief guide on how to download the new software update, and a roundup of our favorite iOS 18 features. iOS 18: compatible devices (Image credit: Future | Alex
Walker-Todd)

Youll need an iPhone XS or newer to download iOS 18 on your iPhone (in other words, any iPhone with the A12 Bionic chipset or newer). These are the same device requirements as iOS 17, so if youre currently sporting that update, youll be able to download iOS 18.

Apple Intelligence features when they do eventually launch will be limited to the iPhone 16 line, along with the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Below, we've detailed the full list of iOS 18-compatible iPhones. For more information, including confirmed iPadOS 18 compatibility, check out our dedicated iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 compatibility explainer. iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro
Max iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR iPhone SE (2nd generation) iPhone SE (3rd generation) How to download iOS 18 Follow these steps to find the 'Upgrade to iOS 18' button (Image credit: Future)

To check whether iOS 18 is available to download on your iPhone, go to Settings > General > Software Update . If iOS 18 is available, youll see an iOS 18 update message at the bottom of the screen. Tap Download and Install , then enter your passcode . Next, agree to the Terms and Conditions , and wait for iOS 18 to install .

Incidentally, youll likely need between 5GB and 10GB of free storage space to download iOS 18. To check your iPhones current storage situation, go to Settings > General > iPhone storage . Here, youll be presented with some options to free up space (like Optimize Photos and Offload Unused Apps). Best iOS 18 features

Weve detailed the full list of iOS 18 features elsewhere on TechRadar, but below, weve highlighted five of our favorites. Advanced Home Screen customization (Image credit: Apple)

If youve ever wanted to get more creative with the positioning of your Home Screen icons, now you can. iOS 18 grants users the ability to reposition apps and widgets at the bottom or side of the Home Screen, freeing up precious
real estate for the wallpaper (furry or otherwise) that sits behind them. You'll also be able to trigger a new dark mode for app icons in iOS 18, as well as add color tints. Control Center upgrades (Image credit: Apple)

Like the Home Screen, Control Center also gets a makeover in iOS 18. Or rather, youre now free to give it one. Specifically, iOS 18 lets you separate the Control Center into distinct function groups, like Home and Media, and
you can now resize Control Center widgets, depending on which tools you use most often.

For the first time, youre also now able to edit which Control Center widgets appear on the Lock Screen. Redesigned Photos app (Image credit: Apple)

iOS 18 introduces the biggest-ever redesign of the Photos app. Youll now see
a simplified, single view comprising a photo grid and a dates grid, while collections will let you browse by themes (screenshots and groups, for instance) without having to organize content into albums.

Theres also a new 'Recovered' album feature in iOS 18 , which houses any photos or videos that aren't in your main photo gallery. Apple says this reduces the risk of database corruption or issues with third-party apps. Messages upgrades Image 1 of 2 iOS 18 introduces the ability to schedule messages (Image credit: Apple) Image 2 of 2 You're also able to send messages via satellite in iOS 18 (Image credit: Apple)

iOS 18 brings some major changes to the way you message on iPhone. For starters, youre now able to react to messages using any emoji, and new text formatting means you can underline, strikethrough, or bold your messages, as well as add new text formatting like ripple effects.

Apple has also added the ability to schedule messages at a convenient time in the future, and the Messages app finally supports the RCS standard in iOS 18. The latter should facilitate a richer messaging experience when you're communicating with someone who owns an Android phone (boo!).

Lastly, iOS 18 expands the SOS via satellite feature to let compatible
iPhones (read: the iPhone 14 or newer) send messages via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi connections arent available. A dedicated Passwords app The new Passwords app in action on macOS Sequoia (Image credit: Apple)

iOS 18 also launches with a new, built-in iPhone app: Passwords. As the name suggests, this Keychain-adjacent app acts as a one-stop shop for all your precious passwords, passkeys, and verification codes.

On top of its function as a digital storage vault, Passwords will alert you
if you're using weak passwords , or if your details have been involved in a data breach , so it sounds like it could be among the best password managers
, period.

All of the information inside the Passwords app is protected by end-to-end encryption, and, of course, you're able to lock it behind Touch or Face ID authentication. Nice work, Apple!
You might also like Apple Intelligence has an official release date but it won't be on your new iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro at launch iPhone 16's Camera Control button has a new Visual Intelligence feature to compete with Google Pixel's Circle to Search Apples 5G modem looks destined for the iPhone 18



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/ios/ios-18-is-launching-today-how-to-get-it-a nd-5-reasons-why-you-should


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