iOS 18 is the upcoming eighteenth major release of Apple's iOS operating system for the iPhone.[3][4][5][6] It was announced on June 10, 2024, at the 2024 Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). It is the direct successor to iOS 17 and was announced alongside iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, visionOS 2, and tvOS 18.
Version of the iOS operating system | |
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![]() iOS 18 home screen on an iPhone 15 Pro using the new dark mode | |
Developer | Apple Inc. |
---|---|
OS family | iOS |
Source model | Closed with open-source components |
Latest preview | 18.0 beta 8 (Public Beta 6)[1] (August 28, 2024 ) [±] 18.1 beta 2[2] (August 12, 2024 ) [±] |
Marketing target | iPhones |
Update method | Software Update |
Preceded by | iOS 17 |
Official website | apple |
Tagline | Yours. Truly. |
Support status | |
In public beta | |
Articles in the series | |
iPadOS 18 (derivative for iPad) |
System features
Artificial intelligence
The Apple Intelligence platform will be available in iOS 18 on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models. Apple Intelligence adds artificial intelligence capabilities and large language model integrations to Siri and other operating system functions, such as the Photos app.[3][7][8]
Messages
iOS 18 will support Rich Communication Services (RCS) on supported conversations, including support for read receipts and higher-quality multimedia sharing across various platforms. As with SMS, it will be designated with green message bubbles and buttons to distinguish it from blue iMessage conversations.[9][10] Apple have previously refused the adoption of RCS in iOS.[11]
In 2022, after being questioned about RCS potentially coming to iPhone to increase compatibility with Android, Tim Cook said that iPhone users weren't expressing interest in RCS and instead suggested that a solution would be to switch to iPhone to use iMessage. The person who asked the question followed up, explaining that they use an iPhone while their mom uses an Android phone, to which Tim Cook jokingly replied "Buy your mom an iPhone" to large controversy.[12] The quote was later cited in an anti-trust lawsuit against Apple Inc. filed by the United States Department of Justice.[13]
Photos
iOS 18 includes a significant redesign of the Photos app.[14][15] Slideshows known as collections are now automatically generated and visible at the top of the screen.[16]
Home Screen
iOS 18 allows users to customize the icon color as well as the icon position and size on the Home Screen.[17] Dark mode versions of first-party apps and many third party ones are also available. Previous iOS versions arranged icons on a preset grid, but now users can place them anywhere. App Widgets may now be resized in-place or reduced to a normal app icon as desired.
In August 2024, a new feature was introduced which enables users to edit the iPhone home screen through iPhone Mirroring, and is available in the latest betas of iOS 18 and iOS 18.1.[18][19]
Control Center
iOS 18 comes with a redesign to the Control Center, allowing for multiple pages of controls, resizable buttons, and third-party controls.[20]
Passwords
Apple introduced Passwords, a password manager aimed at simplifying password management for websites, applications, Wi-Fi, and verification codes.[21][22] This new app is heavily inspired by the Passwords section in Settings and syncs with it.
Locking/hiding applications
In iOS 18, applications that are visible to the user can be locked, or hidden. Locked apps require passcode/biometric authentication to run. Hidden apps are moved to a designated 'Hidden' folder in the App Library; accessing that folder requires passcode/biometric authentication.[23] Hidden apps do not show in other places on the phone such as Siri Suggestions and the Settings app.
Supported devices
All iPhones that support iOS 17 support iOS 18. However, there are varying levels of support depending on the device's system-on-chip (SoC).
The new Apple Intelligence functions require iPhones with an A17 Pro SoC or later, which are only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.[7][24]
iPhones with an A14 Bionic SoC, A15 Bionic SoC and A16 Bionic SoC have full support. iPhones with an A12 Bionic SoC and A13 Bionic SoC have limited support.
iPhones that support iOS 18 are:[25][26][27]
- iPhone XS & XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro & 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPhone 12 & 12 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro & 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 & 13 Mini
- iPhone 13 Pro & 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
- iPhone 14 & 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro & 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 & 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro & 15 Pro Max
Release history
Previous release | Current release | Current beta release | Security response |
Version | Build | Release date | Release notes |
---|---|---|---|
18.0 Beta 1 | 22A5282m | June 10, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 2 | 22A5297f | June 24, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 3 | 22A5307f | July 8, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 3 (Public Beta 1) | 22A5307i | July 15, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 4 | 22A5316j | July 23, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 4 (Public Beta 2) | 22A5316k | July 26, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 5 | 22A5326f | August 5, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 5 (Public Beta 3) | August 6, 2024 | — | |
18.0 Beta 6 (Public Beta 4) | 22A5338b | August 12, 2024 | — |
18.0 Beta 7 (Public Beta 5) | 22A5346a | August 20, 2024 | Release notes |
18.1 Beta 1 | 22B5007p | July 29, 2024 | iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max only |
18.1 Beta 2 | 22B5023e | August 12, 2024 | Release notes iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max only |
See also
References
- ^ Miller, Chance (August 20, 2024). "iOS 18 beta 7 now rolling out as final release quickly approaches [Update: Public Beta Available]". 9to5Mac. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
- ^ Clover, Juli (August 12, 2024). "Apple Seeds Second Developer Betas of iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 With Apple Intelligence". MacRumors. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
- ^ a b "iOS 18: Everything We Know". MacRumors. January 12, 2024. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024.
- ^ Peter, Kostadinov (June 10, 2024). "iOS 18: Release date predictions, anticipated features, and compatible iPhones". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Chance (June 10, 2024). "iOS 18 is coming today: Here's everything we know". 9to5mac. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024.
- ^ Sareena, Dayaram (June 10, 2024). "iOS 18: New Features, Siri AI, Apple Intelligence and More Expected at WWDC". CNET. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Prospero, Mike (June 10, 2024). "Here are the devices that will support Apple Intelligence — no older iPhones allowed". Tom's Guide. Archived from the original on June 11, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Adorno, José (January 4, 2024). "iOS 18: Release date, AI, supported iPhones, and everything we know". Boy Genius Report. Archived from the original on January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Allison (June 10, 2024). "Apple is bringing RCS to the iPhone in iOS 18". The Verge. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Chance (November 17, 2023). "RCS messages will use green bubbles, Apple confirms". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ Ulanoff, Lance (November 16, 2023). "Hell freezes over – Apple to support RCS messages from Android phones next year". TechRadar. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
- ^ Lawler, Richard (September 8, 2022). "Tim Cook says 'buy your mom an iPhone' if you want to end green bubbles". The Verge. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ Bitter, Alex (March 22, 2024). "Watch Tim Cook's famous 'Buy your mom an iPhone' quip that caught the attention of the Justice Department". Business Insider. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
- ^ "iOS 18 Preview". Apple. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Bell, Karissa (June 10, 2024). "Apple redesigned the Photos app in iOS 18 to intelligently organize your memories". Engadget. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
- ^ Younker, Scott (July 8, 2024). "iOS 18 Photos — Apple explains the biggest redesign in years". Tom's Guide. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
- ^ "What to Expect From iOS 18, Apple's Biggest iOS Update Yet - iDevice Central". iDevice Central. March 27, 2024. Archived from the original on March 27, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024.
- ^ Mishra, Prakruti (August 14, 2024). "Apple adds home screen management to iPhone mirroring in new betas: Report". Business Standard.
- ^ McAuliffe, Zachary (August 16, 2024). "Every Way You Can Customize Your iPhone's Home Screen in the iOS 18 Betas". CNET. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Hardwick, Tim (June 10, 2024). "iOS 18: New Control Center Features Multiple Customizable Screens". MacRumors. Archived from the original on June 10, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Tibken, Shara; Stern, Joanna (June 11, 2024). "Password App, iPad Calculator, Scheduled Text Messages: What's Coming Soon to Your Apple Devices". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 16, 2024. Retrieved June 11, 2024.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (June 11, 2024). "Apple iOS 18: What's New in the Latest iPhone Software Release". Variety. Archived from the original on July 6, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
The new Passwords app provides a single place to access passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords and verification codes. The app also includes alerts for users regarding common security weaknesses, such as passwords that are easily guessed or used multiple times, as well as those that appear in known data leaks.
- ^ Clover, Juli (June 10, 2024). "iOS 18 Lets You Lock and Hide Your Apps for Added Privacy". MacRumors.
- ^ "iOS 17 Preview". Apple. Archived from the original on June 6, 2023. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ Cipriani, Jason (September 12, 2023). "Here's every iPhone model that will get Apple's iOS 18". ZDNet. Archived from the original on September 3, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Espósito, Filipe (September 19, 2023). "These are the iPhone models compatible with iOS 17". 9to5Mac. Archived from the original on September 22, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ Teague, Katie (November 14, 2023). "No iOS 17 Update on Your iPhone? Here's Why". CNET. Archived from the original on December 7, 2023. Retrieved December 6, 2023.