You should know these 10 new features

The OS update for compatible iPhones was released a few days after the Apple event on September 9th. The scope of the new iOS 18 features is large, but as with iOS 17, some of them are quite detailed. However, some of the functions stand out from the crowd. Here are our highlights. We will not go into Apple Intelligence in this article, after all, Apple’s AI functions will not be available in Europe at first.

iOS 18: Freedom for apps and widgets!

For years, Apple has been expanding the possibilities for customizing the iPhone home screen. With iOS 18, the manufacturer is going one step further and offers free positioning of apps and widgets, so that they no longer have to be arranged from top left to bottom right.

iOS 18: Color app icons uniformly

In addition to the free positioning of apps and widgets, Apple allows users to color all app icons on the home screen uniformly. Apple offers corresponding controls and options for this in the home screen settings.

iOS 18: You can color all app icons uniformly in the home screen settings – and more. (Screenshots: t3n)

The app icon size can also be selected, although there are only two options. In the larger app view, the app names are omitted from under the icons.

iOS 18: Set app shortcuts on the lock screen yourself

The app shortcuts on the lock screen can now be freely assigned. (Screenshots: t3n)

And there is another practical innovation in the area of ​​customization: Similar to Android, you can select the app shortcut on the lock screen yourself. By default, Apple has set shortcuts for the flashlight and camera. In the lock screen settings, which Apple fundamentally revised with iOS 16, you can now select your own apps or shortcuts. Practical.

Customize the new Control Center

With iOS 18, Apple has extensively revised the control center and spread it over several pages. You should take a closer look here and take a closer look at the versatile customization options.

iOS 18: The new iPhone control center can be extensively customized. (Photo: t3n)

You can arrange every single element – from Wi-Fi to display brightness to Bluetooth or timer – however you like and change some of its size. In addition to the classic view, there are new features such as media control and a connectivity center. You can also put together your other pages according to your own wishes.

Hide apps

Even though most people probably won’t let go of their iPhone, Apple is adding a feature to the iPhone that allows you to completely hide apps and lock them with an additional layer of security.

So you show the apps again. (Screenshots: t3n)

Important to know: If an app has been blocked or made “invisible”, information from it will not appear in the Spotlight search or in the notification previews. If you make your messenger apps like WhatsApp or similar invisible, you will no longer receive calls through them either.
In this guide we explain how you can use the feature.

Apple’s own password manager

All passwords in one place. Apple has had this for years, but now the manufacturer has developed a dedicated password manager that is part of the current operating systems. It is therefore available for use not only in iOS 18, but also in iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia. In addition to password management, the tool also supports the management of passkeys and Wi-Fi networks. The tool also shows potentially insecure passwords.

iOS 18: This is possible with the password manager. (Photo: t3n)

The solution is ideal for newbies who have never used a password manager before, but for those who have higher demands on a password manager and also use non-Apple devices, the new password manager is not sufficient.

Photos app with new design

With iOS 18, the Photos app gets a major redesign that you should take a closer look at. (Image: Apple)

The Photos app has been fundamentally redesigned in iOS 18. It now has a unified view that displays your entire photo library in the familiar grid layout, which should make navigation easier. You can now also pin favorites and create collections. The app can also do this dynamically for you and sort content by topics such as people, places and events.

Cleaning up: Apple’s Photos app with “magic eraser”

Clean up: The Photos app gets a cleanup tool with iOS 18. (Screenshots: t3n)

With iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, Apple is also bringing a bit of AI into the Photos app. With the clean-up tool, you can now remove distracting objects such as cars, trash cans or strangers from images, similar to Google’s Pixel devices and Samsung’s Galaxy S smartphones.

The tool automatically selects what could be removed, but you can also use your finger or the stylus on the iPad to outline things, which then disappear as if by magic. The quality is definitely usable.

Fast as a Thanos snap: Safari lets you remove elements from websites

With the new Safari function “Hide distracting objects” you can make annoying objects on websites disappear in an instant with a stylish animation. Especially in times of cookie banners and sometimes too much advertising, this function helps to create a better reading flow.

Apple makes it clear that it is not a dedicated ad blocker. The tool is not able to permanently suppress advertising banners: “Distraction Control can only temporarily hide constantly changing elements of a website.”

Messenger with RCS support and little gimmicks

One of Apple’s biggest surprises last year was the announcement of RCS support for its own messaging app. This messaging protocol finally allows messages to be sent more securely between Android and iPhones. Videos and photos can also be exchanged in higher quality.

Apart from that, you can “apply playful animated effects to any letter, word, phrase, or emoji” in the Messenger app, according to Apple. You can also schedule messages in Messages so that they are sent at a specific time.