My 10 favourite iOS 18 options

As somebody who loves Apple’s platforms, WWDC was an thrilling time of 12 months. In contrast to the corporate’s hardware-focused occasions that usually go away my bank card depressed, WWDC is the one time of the 12 months once I really feel like Apple is giving me one thing at no cost via new options coming within the fall.

On the World Large Builders Convention again in June, Apple gave us a preview of iOS 18. Understandably, Apple Intelligence took the highlight from all the pieces else introduced on stage. Whereas Apple Intelligence is about to convey a wave of extremely new performance to our iPhones, a number of implausible quality-of-life enhancements nonetheless excite me. Arguably, many of those features are extra doubtless for use than Apple Intelligence.

After a post-WWDC interval of beta testing, iOS 18 has lastly landed on iPhone fashions going way back to the iPhone XS, the iPhone XR, and the second technology iPhone SE. If it hasn’t already, the OS replace needs to be arriving in your telephone briefly order. With that mentioned, listed here are ten of my favourite iOS 18 features.

1 Scheduled ship

I’ve needed this eternally

Lastly! We should always all rejoice on the skill to schedule our iMessages beginning with iOS 18. Significantly, who hasn’t been able the place they did not need to neglect to ship a follow-up or completely happy birthday message? Simply me? As an enormous fan of scheduling emails and Slack messages, I welcome this addition.

To schedule a message to ship: write your message > faucet the plus icon to the left > Ship Later > choose the date and time you’d just like the message to ship > Ship arrow.

2 New message formatting

Daring, Italics, Strikethrough, Underline

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Should you’ve ever needed so as to add some formatting like daring, italics, strikethrough, underline, and even some particular textual content results to your iMessages, you are able to do that in iOS 18.

By choosing textual content and tapping the brand new ‘A’ icon just under the textual content enter space, you possibly can select from 8 new textual content results together with the usual formatting. This is a superb addition, making iMessages richer. Nonetheless, I am nonetheless ready for brand spanking new message results, notably snowfall, so if you happen to’re studying this, Apple, please get on that. Thanks.

3 Customized iMessage faucet backs

We want a thanks emoji now

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One other characteristic for the want record is a thanks emoji. I take advantage of one on a regular basis in Slack, together with a you are welcome emoji. What we do get in iOS 18 is the power to pick out any emoji for faucet again.

Along with the unique six reactions, redesigned for the brand new working system, you too can choose any emoji by holding down on a message, swiping over to the gray smile, and selecting an emoji from the picker. So, whereas I could not have my thanks emoji, we nonetheless get entry to hundreds of recent reactions.

4 RCS

Inexperienced bubbles are much less horrible now

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Wealthy Communication Service, or RCS, has lengthy been pushed to be adopted into iOS to enhance the messaging expertise between iPhone and Android customers. Inexperienced bubbles have been the social outcasts of buddy teams by breaking iMessage group chats and receiving low-quality photographs. RCS is the evolution of SMS by bringing most of the core iMessage we take pleasure in to cross-platform messaging.

Admittedly, I practically solely message different iPhones. Nonetheless, it is good to have RCS’s enhancements when I’ve to message Android telephones. Plus, RCS is enabled by default upon updating to iOS 18, so common customers will not must do a factor.

5 Messages by way of satellite tv for pc

Be related from wherever

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The introduction of emergency SOS via satellite was an enormous step for improved security and safety for iPhone customers. The growth of this characteristic to roadside assistance and site sharing continued the performance of satellite tv for pc connectivity with the iPhone 14 and 15.

Messages by way of satellite tv for pc is a brand new iOS 18 characteristic that makes use of a particular optimization algorithm to ship textual content and emojis by way of iMessage or SMS when not related to WiFi or mobile service. Photographs and movies can’t be despatched by way of satellite tv for pc. Presumably, this will probably be a paid characteristic sooner or later, however for now, it is free as all the satellite tv for pc iPhone options.

6 Document a name

Nice for record-keeping

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Name recording could sound like a distinct segment characteristic restricted to enterprise makes use of. Nonetheless, I imagine it’s going to be useful for recording customer support calls to create my very own report throughout disputes. Apple consists of name recording in its iOS 18.1 beta, so it’s going to doubtless arrive alongside Apple Intelligence options in an replace later subsequent month. You could be certain I am enthusiastic about this characteristic.

7 Lock Display screen buttons are customizable

Superior for third-party cameras

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I’ve all the time been curious about utilizing extra highly effective third-party digital camera apps. My problem has all the time been how I sometimes launch my digital camera from the Lock Display screen by swiping over or utilizing the button. This fast entry dramatically decreased the probability of me ever utilizing a third-party one.

Nonetheless, with iOS 18, Apple is introducing the power to customise the Lock Display screen buttons to launch varied actions, together with opening any app by way of Shortcuts. My pondering when iOS 18 drops is to strive Halide and different related apps by changing the digital camera button with the launching of considered one of them.

To vary the buttons in your House Display screen: Maintain down on the House Display screen > Faucet Customise > Customise Present Wallpaper > Faucet the minus image to the left of the button > Faucet the plus icon > choose what motion or app you’d wish to put within the buttons place > Add.

8 Lock an App

Safe your vital apps

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Lock an app is one other characteristic I’ve needed for some time so as to add an additional layer of privateness to my most private apps. Some apps, like WhatsApp, have non-obligatory settings for requiring a PIN or Face ID earlier than exhibiting its contents. iOS 18 brings this performance to any app if you would like.

Press down on an app and faucet Require Face ID. Doing so locks that app’s contents till authenticated together with your face. Personally, I fairly like this characteristic for including an additional layer of privateness to Messages, Photographs, and my different instantaneous messaging apps.

9 Hidden folder

Hold apps out of instant view

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When opting to lock an app behind Face ID, third-party apps have the added choice to be moved right into a Hidden folder that seems within the App Library upon updating to iOS 18. Apps positioned within the new Hidden folder will not present notifications and cannot be considered until authenticated by Face ID. I see this characteristic as a win for privateness for individuals who need to hold private or work apps out of instant view.

10 Siri understanding pure language

I want this was coming to the HomePod

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I needed this piece to give attention to the options exterior of Apple Intelligence. Nonetheless, one enchancment with Siri deserves a name out due to Apple Intelligence — pure language understanding. Coming sooner or later sooner or later, Apple Intelligence will permit Siri to know us regardless of stutters or corrections.

I am thrilled that this may come to the iPhone, iPad, and Mac however upset that the gadgets I take advantage of Siri essentially the most, the HomePod and Apple Watch, will not achieve this skill for the foreseeable future.