iOS 18 is Apple‘s current operating system for iPhone models, including the new iPhone 16. Previewed during the WWDC 2024 keynote, this software update offers a Home Screen redesign, more privacy features, and Apple Intelligence.

iOS 18 has been available since September 16, 2024. Its first beta was released on June 10, with a public beta made available the following month.

iOS 18 is full of new features for iPhone users. BGR has compiled the most important ones here for you.

In previous iOS updates, Apple has tweaked the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center. This time, the company has finally taken customization to a new level. Now, apps can be , which means they can be placed anywhere.

App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a , and users can make to create the perfect experience. In the Lock Screen, it’s possible to instead of the Flashlight and Camera options. Here’s how to customize the iPhone’s Home Screen in iOS 18.

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

Finally, the. Users can create new groups of widgets for Home controls, connectivity, and music listening and reorganize the widgets’ locations. The displays the full set of available options, and users can customize how the controls are laid out, including adjusting them to the ideal size and creating entirely new groups. Here’s how to customize the iPhone’s Control Center in iOS 18.

There’s even an over-the-top new interactive flashlight widget. However, with all of these changes, adding a new wallpaper seems more confusing than ever.

Image source: Apple Inc.

Apple has an ambitious plan for iOS 18’s Photos app. With its redesign, Apple wants to make it easier for users to find and relive special moments. With a , it offers to help users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums.

Collections can be pinned to keep favorites easily accessible. While there was a new , Apple removed it during the beta test in favor of a more simplified experience. Apple says that auto-playing content throughout the app brings libraries to life “so past moments can be enjoyed while browsing.”

With iOS 18.2, Apple improved the app with these changes:

Still, months after iOS 18 was released, many iPhone users have continued to complain about the “Indexing Your Library” issue.

If you disliked the new look, there’s a way to almost bring back the old design. Here’s how to fix the iOS 18 Photos app.

Image source: Apple Inc.

With iOS 18, Apple is adding even more features to Messages. These are the top new functions:

Image source: Apple Inc.

Building on the foundation of Keychain, the new Passwords app makes it easy for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes. 

In addition, Apple has released new features that let users . When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system. Users can only unlock it with Face ID and Touch ID. BGR teaches you how to hide and lock iPhone apps in iOS 18.

iOS 18 also brings new features for CarPlay users. Here they are:

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

You can learn more about Apple Music features in iOS 18 here.

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

Last year, Apple announced that RCS messaging support would come in 2024. With iOS 18 now available, Cupertino brings RCS-supported texts, better integration on group messages, high-quality photos and videos, and more between iPhone and Android. However, if you don’t see RCS support on your device, you must wait for an update from your carrier.

Still, features like memoji, stickers, edit, and unsend messages will continue to be iMessage-exclusive. You can have a first look at RCS texting here.

There’s even more Apple available with iOS 18, including:

Here are 13 hidden features that you should be using every day on your iPhone.

Exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, Apple offers Apple Intelligence, which is an AI platform built-in with “privacy from the ground up.” These are the main features:

Here, you can learn everything iPhone users can test so far.

Apple has two iOS 18 delayed features that it won’t deliver:

With iOS 18 now available, Apple is currently testing iOS 18.2.

BGR will let you know of all major updates for iOS 18:

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

iOS 18.1 was released on October 28. The main features regard Apple Intelligence. These are the highlights:

You can learn more about this software update here. It also includes security patches and bug fixes with it.

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iOS 18.2 was released on December 12. The main features regard Apple Intelligence. These are the highlights:

Apple is expanding Apple Intelligence features:

There are other functions available with this update:

iPhone users complained about several iOS 18.2 bugs, including an iPhone camera issue and battery life drain.

Image source: Apple Inc.

iOS 18.3 was released on January 27. The main features regard Apple Intelligence. These are the highlights:

Notification summaries (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

You’ll also find these changes in this version:

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

iOS 18.4 was released on March 31. The main features regard Apple Intelligence. These are the highlights:

Image source: Apple Inc.

Before WWDC 2024 kicked off, Apple announced several accessibility features coming to the iPhone. Here are some of them:

iOS 18, codenamed Crystal, has been announced on June 10. The official download has been available since September 16, 2024.

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

Here’s how to download iOS 18:

iOS 18 beta has been available since June 10, and the public beta since July 15, 2024. After enrolling in the Apple Beta Software Program, follow the steps below:

Here we detail nine reasons to install the newest beta. Or, if you need to, here’s how to uninstall the iOS 18 beta. So far, using beta gives you early access to Apple Intelligence features.

With iOS 17, Apple ditched the iPhone 8 and iPhone X models from its lineup. With iOS 18, Apple continues to offer support for the same iPhones. However, Apple Intelligence features will be exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro models.

That said, these are the iPhone models that can run this new system:

• iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (3rd gen)
• iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
• iPhone 16e

In our iOS 18 review, BGR praises the redesign available with this software update. However, the most important features aren’t here yet.

iOS 18 has several quality-of-life improvements, and even if you can’t enjoy Apple Intelligence, Cupertino has lots of features that will almost make you feel like you’re using a new device. This is the beginning of a new era, even if we can’t enjoy it just yet.