11 key features of iOS 18 worth upgrading for

Millions of Apple device users were eagerly awaiting the release date of iOS 18, and the day finally arrived on September 16. Although the release doesn’t yet support Apple Intelligence—expected later this year—it’s still the most significant update in years. Here’s an overview of the key iOS 18 features that make it worth upgrading.

Enable VPN with one tap and customize the control center

The Control Center in the new iOS is essentially another screen where you can launch apps and other features. Most importantly, you can move and remove widgets or add new screens. A swipe from the top-right corner gives you access to settings groups, home screen management, media playback options, and network connections.

To resize an icon in the Control Center, pull from the bottom-right corner.

Now, you can enable VPN in the Control Center with one click (along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, just like before).

Move icons, change their colors and sizes

Icons can now be moved anywhere—they’re no longer tied to a grid.

You can personalize the look of the home screen, making the design both functional and visually appealing to you. For instance, you can rearrange widgets and apps, and change the size and color of icons.

To customize the home screen, press and hold any free space, tap “Edit” in the top left corner, then “Customize”:

·       Icons now support dark mode (indicated by the sun icon in the top left of the settings panel), giving your screen a unique aesthetic.

·       You can choose the colors yourself or let iOS suggest them with “Color Highlight.”

·       Icons can always stay in light or dark mode (select “Light” or “Dark”), or they can automatically switch based on the overall theme (“Auto”).

Choose apps on the lock screen

Previously, the lock screen had two default icons—camera and flashlight. Now, you can replace them with any other icons, like calculator, timer, or an app—or remove them altogether.

To do this, press and hold the lock screen, choose “Customize,” and then “Lock Screen.”

You can then customize how the screen looks.

Hide apps without deleting them

You can hide any app from prying eyes without needing to delete it.

The icon disappears from the home screen, notifications and calls are hidden, and even Spotlight search won’t show it. You’ll be the only one with access to the hidden app—via Face ID, Touch ID, or a password.

To hide an app, hold your finger on the icon until the menu appears. Select “Require Face ID/Touch ID,” then “Hide and Require Face ID/Touch ID.”

To restore the app, find it in the “Hidden” folder of the app library, access it via Face ID/Touch ID, hold the icon, choose “Do not require Face ID/Touch ID,” and authorize via Face ID/Touch ID. The app will now be available in the app library and can be placed anywhere on the home screen.

If there’s no need to hide the app, you can simply password-protect it by asking the system to require Face ID/Touch ID for every app launch.

Organize the gallery and use pre-made collections

All content and data are now conveniently located on a single screen. Photos and videos are found quickly—this was possible before, but the app’s menu is now more informative, making it easier to search by year, groups of people, objects, or tags.

Below the main feed, you’ll find collections like “Recent Days,” which groups fresh photos by day. In the “Other” section, useful collections include QR codes, receipts, documents, and media you’ve recently worked with. You’ll also find damaged photos, now appearing in the “Restored” album.

Separate collections are created for each trip, and even for photos of pets.

It’s now easier to customize the app’s appearance in iOS 18. You don’t need to go into “Settings”—you can change the appearance of the grid, adjust the visibility of the “Hidden” folder, rearrange collections, pin frequently used ones, and disable unnecessary photo and video groupings directly in “Photos.”

Share Wi-Fi via QR code

All passwords, verification codes, account data, and login keys are now collected in one app—”Passwords.” If you need to provide someone with Wi-Fi access, simply share a QR code with one click.

Managing passwords, codes, and keys is now even easier. You don’t need to open an authentication app—verification codes can be set up directly in “Passwords” and easily copied or auto-filled in Safari.

Your account data syncs across devices through iCloud, and passwords are even available on Windows devices.

Play with fonts, stickers, and special effects

You can bring messages to life in iMessage with different fonts, emojis, stickers, and dynamic animations. Written text can bounce, explode, sway, and more. You can also send quick reactions with Tapback.

Messages can be sent immediately or scheduled for any time. Even better, iMessage now supports RCS for chatting with Android users.

No more motion sickness while traveling

When motion sickness sets in, people are often advised to look out the window—it usually helps. Now, you can keep your eyes on your phone. Special markers on the screen protect against motion sickness, keeping your eyes focused on them and reducing or eliminating the effect. The moving dots won’t interfere with viewing content.

This option can be enabled in “Settings” by selecting “Accessibility” > “Motion” > “Display vehicle motion markers” and activating the “On” or “Auto” option.

Do math right in notes

You can solve simple math problems directly in Notes without opening the Calculator. Just write an equation and add the “=” sign. The answer appears automatically.

You can also record and save audio directly in Notes—if you don’t have time to write, simply dictate the information.

Write equations by hand

For more complex tasks, the Calculator is still available. It has been upgraded with a history of calculations (accessed via a side swipe) and new features. You can choose between standard and scientific modes. You can also take handwritten math notes to solve equations and plot graphs. Your iPhone will recognize and solve the problem instantly.

The app also includes a currency and unit converter, making it easy to switch from inches to centimeters, dollars to GEL, miles to kilometers, and more by activating the “Conversion” mode.

Control iPhone with your eyes

Sounds like science fiction? It’s reality, thanks to the “” feature available on iPhone 12 and newer models (except iPhone SE).

The feature works using the front camera, and you won’t need any additional accessories to control your smartphone with your eyes. Simply go to “Settings” > “Accessibility” > “Eye Tracking.”

Additional handy features in iOS 18

Other new additions in iOS 18 include:

·       Creating, viewing, and editing reminders in Calendar, marking them as completed. If accidentally deleted, they can be restored from the “Recently Deleted” list.

·       Playing games with improved comfort. When launching games, background activity from other apps automatically decreases to prevent game lag.

·       Buying with installment plans and using bonus points for purchases in Wallet. There’s now a guide for events and location maps, and Apple Music playlists for concerts. Tickets appear in interactive Live Activities notifications.

·       Journaling important events and thoughts. Past entries can be easily found, sorted, and viewed in any order.

·       Answering calls with a nod. When using AirPods, simply nod to accept a call or shake your head to decline.

This is, of course, just a glimpse of the many exciting features of the new iOS. Explore them for yourself and enhance your life with comfort, vibrancy, and excitement!

Which iPhone models will get iOS 18

Which devices will support the update? All Apple smartphones released in 2020 and later. Here’s a list of iPhone models that will receive iOS 18:

How to install iOS 18

You can download and install the iOS 18 update right now. Go to “Settings,” select “General” > “Software Update.” Keep in mind that some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models.

If anything seems unclear, visit iSpace—we’ll help you install the update and show you how everything works on your device. Follow us on social media to discover even more features of the new operating system.