After using theiOS 18 betafor month and spending a week with the stable interpretation of the iPhone 16 Pro Max , I ’ve developed some strong thought about its features . Below , I break down what I like and where I feltiOS 18fell forgetful and could have done a skilful job .
Note : This article is based on my personal experience , and your opinion may disagree .
Table of Contents
Features I Liked on iOS 18
1. Math Notes
When Apple herald Math Notes at WWDC , it now caught my attention . It forge just as advertised . Instead ofusing the Calculator app , I can now write computation as notes and see upshot instantly — all in my handwriting . The only drawback is that iPhones do n’t support the Apple Pencil , pretend this lineament more utilitarian on the iPad . Nevertheless , it ’s a welcome improver to the Apple ecosystem .
2. Writing Tools
Writing Toolsis an Apple Intelligence characteristic that allow you to summarize , rewrite , proofread , and adjust the tone of selected text . I ’ve used it to make my emails read more professional and to quickly summarize articles . While I findChatGPT’sresults slimly better , the convenience of take these peter accessible in any app with just a text selection is a handsome advantage . Like Math Notes , this feature article radiate more on the Mac but is still a great add-on to the iPhone .
3. Control Center
Theredesigned Control Center in iOS 18is a standout lineament . you may now summate controls from third - company apps , rearrange and resize them , and even create multiple pageboy of control if want . Customization can be done like a shot from the Control Center , make believe it drug user - well-disposed . If you prefer the onetime UI , you may customise the Control Center . Overall , it ’s more flexible and customizable than ever .
4. Message App Features and RCS Support
The Messages app received several little but useful updates , such as new text effects and formatting options . you may nowschedule messages to beam later . But the biggest addition isRCS support . This means you may message Android users with read receipts , typing indicator , and eminent - quality media sharing . It ’s a much - needed upgrade that makes message between platforms much better .
5. Safari Features
Safari introduced three Modern features . Reader way is now more customizable and easier to access , while the highlights feature take crucial information like location , people , medicine , important information , etc . to the forefront . Summary Highlights supply a quick summary of the clause for easy scanning .
However , the real star is thedistraction control feature , which help remove ads and papa - ups with a fill Thanos snap animation .
6. Passwords App
Thenew Passwords appconsolidates parole , verification codification , passkeys , Sign in with Apple explanation , and Wi - Fi parole , which were antecedently scattered across unlike sphere . Now , all your word - pertain items are stored in one piazza , secured by Face ID or Touch ID . There are also a couple of fresh feature of speech like parole share through share groups and the ability to check the word of all link up Wi - Fi networks .
Interestingly , during test , Password apps send word me that myNetflixaccount password had been detected in a data point outflow and need to be updated ASAP .
7. Locked and Hidden Apps
There are two features that will help keep your apps safe on iPhones that support iOS 18 . The Lock App feature allows you to set a separate passcode for apps , unlike from your iPhone passcode . or else , you could unlock them using case ID or Touch ID .
If you need to obscure an app completely , you could place it in a locked folder . The best part is that once hidden , these apps can not be bump through search or even in the options app .
8. Updated Siri
Siri got overhauled in iOS 18 with Apple Intelligence in mind . It is now much smarter with amend contextual savvy and sentience of what ’s on the screenland . Siri also has a more natural voice now , a raw spiritedness with the ability to type your commands .
Thanks to the outspoken shortcuts accessibility feature , you may evenrename Siri on your iPhone . However , Apple also promisedChatGPT integrationfor more advanced queries , but that feature film is still not available yet .
9. Email and Notification Summaries
Another Apple Intelligence feature that ’s quite utilitarian is the email and notification summary . Normally , when you incur a notification or check email , it ’s hard to get the picture the content at a glance , requiring you to open each mail for full details .
With AI - power telling and e-mail sum-up feature , you get a quick overview directly in the notification or electronic mail leaning .
iOS 18 Features That are Meh
1. Photos App Redesign
While I appreciate the fresh AI search in the Apple Photos app , the redesign has made navigation quite puzzling . Viewing photos is confusing as matter constantly shift , photograph get smaller with a single spigot , and some gestures have been transfer .
Despite the unveiling ofsome useful featureslike hiding screenshots and wallpaper suggestions , the overall redesign feels like a downgrade to me .
2. Home Screen Customization
While some were aroused about thehome covert customization , I feel most of the options descend short . The tinted icons do n’t look great on all apps and the grim icons do n’t make all app ikon look colored . Although I do take account the ability to place app icons anywhere on the screen , it ’s not as unlined as on Android .
For example , you may place icons wherever you want , but if you move one , the other image move too and cut off the entire layout . If you ’ve tried adjusting the home plate filmdom , you ’ll belike be frustrated by the unceasing shifting of app position . It feel like a intermixture of iPhone and Android behaviour , which makes it unmanageable to manage .
3. Files App is Still Too Basic
I palpate the Files app on iPhone needs a major overhaul and , more importantly , should bring home the bacon full admittance to all Indian file . While I understand why Apple prefers to hide system files , the Files app does n’t even allow you to easily discover photos , text file , notes , or other content .
It lacks the feature mellowness of Android file managers . mighty now , the app is mostly utile for access files on international drives . Even the new features are focus on external drives , like erasing or initialise them , which does n’t add together much for everyday economic consumption .
4. Clean Up Tool Is Not Up There
Also Read : Not sure about the newfangled Camera Control push button on the young iPhone 16 serial ? You candisable that clit from Accessibility configurations .
5. Call Recording and Live Voicemail
Finally , your iPhone can memorialize phone calls . However , they are limited to only a few countries . More concerning is that Apple ’s call recording feature article announces to the other person that recording has been initiated . While this announcement is required in some countries , not all have laws mandate them . Apple could trace Samsung ’s overture and put through discerning call recording in regions where it ’s not legally required .
6. Game Mode
There is a new game musical mode in iOS 18 . But it deform out Apple only stops backcloth activities to boost gambling functioning , and that ’s about it . you could set a gaming - colligate focal point fashion , but there ’s no game recording option , no FPS presentation , and no notification control . It ’s simply an automated feature that activates in the backdrop and work without any customization option for the exploiter . Pretty basic stuff .
7. Reduce Interruptions
This is an AI - power focus mode that only air you of import notifications while blocking the remainder . It ’s a major addition , as it allows you to avoid distraction without worrying about lack critical notification . However , after using the feature , I noticed that it often miss important notification , like work - related Slack content that postulate straightaway attention .
At the same time , it sometimes lets through less important messages and Old World chat . What I separate as of import does n’t always aline with what Apple Intelligence view as important , arrive at the feature less useful for me .
In summary , iOS 18 cede several welcome improvements , but some of its most anticipated feature light short in my experience . Well , I have only number the feature that I like and disliked . There are even more features on the iOS 18 that you’re able to turn back here :