iOS 18 Features You Can Try Right Now
While Apple Intelligence features are set to roll out later, iOS 18 still offers plenty of exciting updates to explore today. After spending some time with the beta, I’ve picked out the top 10 features that make the biggest impact on the iPhone experience.
iOS 18 Brings New Features
1. Pause and Resume Video Recording
The ability to pause and resume video recordings is a simple but effective feature. For those who capture short clips on trips or during special events, this tool allows you to create quick video sequences without needing post-production editing.
2. Customizable Control Center
For many users, the ability to personalize the Control Center is a game changer. Gone are the days of cluttered, unused shortcuts. With iOS 18, you can streamline the layout to feature only what you need, making navigation quicker and more intuitive.
3. Audio Recording and Transcription in Notes
For those who like to jot down ideas on the go, Notes now supports audio recording with live transcription. This feature is perfect for capturing quick thoughts and having them automatically converted to text.
4. Passwords App
Though a minor feature for tech enthusiasts, the revamped Passwords app will be incredibly useful for most users. It centralizes all your passwords in one easy-to-access place, improving overall security and convenience.
5. Action Button Customization
On the iPhone 15 Pro Max, you can customize the Action button to launch specific apps or features, such as opening the camera in video mode. As newer iPhone models arrive, this level of customization will make it easier to tailor your device to suit your needs.
6. Smart Edits in Photos
The new Smart Copy and Paste feature in Photos allows you to apply the same edits across multiple images taken in similar lighting conditions. This saves time when editing groups of photos and brings a much-loved feature from Lightroom to iPhone users.
7. iMessage Tapbacks with Emojis
iMessage has finally expanded its options for Tapback reactions, allowing you to respond with any emoji. This brings it in line with other messaging apps and adds a fun, expressive way to communicate.
8. Calendar Enhancements
iOS 18 introduces new features that integrate reminders with your Calendar. While I prefer using the Calendar as a to-do list, this will be a big help for users who rely on both apps for managing tasks.
9. Schedule Message Sends
The ability to schedule texts for later is one of my favorite features. Whether you’re coordinating across time zones or avoiding sending late-night messages, this function ensures your texts are delivered at a more appropriate time.
10. Lock Screen App Customization
While the lock screen may not matter much to some, the ability to swap out default apps like the Camera and Flashlight offers greater flexibility. This is a small but useful tweak for those who rely on other tools.
These are just a few of the best features you can explore in iOS 18. While the more advanced Apple Intelligence updates are still on the horizon, the current offerings already enhance the overall iPhone experience.
