Apple has announced its 2024 software update, iOS 18, which the tech giant describes as one of the biggest ever updates for the iPhone. It officially puts a major focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI features.
iOS 18’s comprehensive new AI features will help Apple users send emails, save time, and express themselves with easy-to-use prompts, with Apple giving an example of Siri being prompted to pull up a photo of your digital driver’s license, grab the number, and paste it into a form. Also among the notable upgrades on iOS 18 are a more customizable home screen that finally offers more flexible icon placement, a more stylish dark mode, a new theme engine for deeper customization, and a more advanced Control Centre.
iOS 18 also lets you replace the default camera and flashlight icons on the lock screen with whatever Control Center toggles you prefer. Further, the update also increases privacy by allowing you to require authentication for any app you choose—or hide them altogether until your phone knows it’s really you.
The Messages app is getting more expressive, with new formatting for bolding, underlining, strikethrough, and italicizing. Other unmatched improvements include updates on Mail, Photos, and Satellite Communication Apps, though Apple says not all features will be available in all regions.
The developer beta of iOS 18 is already available through the Apple Developer Program, and a public beta will be available through the Apple Beta Software Program from July. iOS 18 will be fully available as a free software update for iPhone Xs and above from this September, Apple has said.
