Starting September 16, Apple is rolling out its highly anticipated iOS 18 update for iPhones, packed with new features and improvements. Unveiled at WWDC 2024 in June, iOS 18 brings several exciting changes designed to enhance your iPhone experience.
One of the standout features of iOS 18 is the increased customization it offers. You can now rearrange apps and widgets on both your home and lock screens more freely, giving you greater control over your iPhone's look and layout. This means you can tailor your interface to better suit your style and needs.
The update also includes a redesigned Control Center, making it simpler to access key settings and functions. Plus, there's a new password management app that helps you store and manage your login credentials more easily. For those who enjoy messaging and photography, iOS 18 introduces enhanced text effects in Messages and a revamped Photos app, making it easier to communicate and organize your memories. The Mail app has been updated as well, offering better organization and efficiency.
However, it's important to note that the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features, like text rewriting and image generation, won't be available in this initial release. These advanced AI tools are expected to come with the iOS 18.1 public beta, which will be released in October.
Alongside iOS 18, Apple is also launching macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and visionOS 2 on September 16. macOS Sequoia will introduce iPhone mirroring, watchOS 11 adds new training features, and visionOS 2 offers an ultrawide virtual Mac display. While tvOS 18 is expected soon, its exact release date has not been confirmed yet.
Before you start downloading iOS 18, make sure your iPhone is ready. Apple hasn't announced the exact rollout time, but based on previous updates, it should begin around 10:30 PM IST. The new iPhone 16 models will come with iOS 18 pre-installed.
To prepare for the update, free up some storage on your device. Delete apps you no longer use by holding down their icons and tapping "X," or manage storage through Settings > General > iPhone Storage. It's also a good idea to clear cached data from apps like WhatsApp and Instagram by deleting and reinstalling them. For photos, consider using iCloud to store high-resolution images and keep smaller versions on your device.
Don't forget to back up your iPhone before starting the update. You can use iCloud or a local backup on a Mac or Windows PC to ensure your data is safe. Also, make sure your iPhone is fully charged and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network before beginning the download.
To check for the iOS 18 update, go to Settings > General > Software Update. While this initial release brings many new features, keep an eye out for the Apple Intelligence capabilities in the upcoming update.
SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone 16 Series Breaks Ground With 8GB RAM Across All Models; Here's What You Need To Know