On Monday, Apple released iOS 18, the latest version of its operating system for the iPhone. iOS 18 is now available as a free download, compatible with the iPhone XR, XS, and newer models, including the second- and third-generation iPhone SE. If your iPhone can run iOS 17, it can also handle iOS 18.
During its WWDC developer conference, Apple introduced iOS 18 and highlighted features related to Apple Intelligence, which encompasses all upcoming generative AI features.
However, the initial AI features will not be included in iOS 18. They will be introduced in beta form in the U.S. later this fall with iOS 18.1. These features will include text rewriting, proofreading, summarization, notification summaries, and a photo clean-up tool. Genmoji integration, AI-generated images, and other AI features will come in future .x releases (e.g., 18.2, 18.3).
Despite the absence of Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 brings several notable updates, such as customizable home screens with dark and tinted icons, a modular Control Center, and various app enhancements.
Key features of iOS 18 include a redesigned Photos app focusing on past memories, live audio transcriptions in Voice Memos and Notes apps, and a new Passwords app.
To update to iOS 18, you can install it over the air via the Settings app or through a wired update by connecting your device to your computer. The latter option is suitable for devices with limited storage space, requiring less free space for updating.
Before updating, remember to back up your device. Ensure your iCloud backup is up to date, and consider a manual backup in Finder or iTunes for Windows to safeguard your data. Encrypting your backup is recommended for added security.
To update, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your device. The update request will start downloading automatically when available.
While the update is in progress, you can check out Ivan Mehta’s review of the major changes in iOS 18 to learn what to expect from this update. (Please note that users in the EU may have different features due to regional regulations.)
