iOS 18 Features You Should Try: Customization, RCS Messaging, and More

Apple's iOS 18 update has arrived, and it’s packed with exciting features that bring a whole new level of customization and convenience to iPhones. From design tweaks to enhanced messaging and photos, there's plenty to explore. However, some of the most anticipated features like Apple Intelligence aren’t available yet. Let’s dive into what you can do with iOS 18 now, and what’s still to come.

1. Home Screen Customization Like Never Before

One of the most exciting updates in iOS 18 is the ability to fully customize your home screen. Apple has finally loosened the grid restrictions, so now you can place apps anywhere you want. Want your icons spread out or lined up along the bottom? You can do that!

Additionally, you can:

• Remove App Labels: Hide the text under app icons for a cleaner look.
• Change App Colors: Tint your app icons to match your wallpaper or choose darker backgrounds.
• Resize Icons: Make app icons larger and remove their labels altogether.

How to Remove App Labels and Change Colors:

1. Long-press your home screen to enter jiggle mode.
2. Tap Edit in the top-left corner.
3. Select Customize.
4. Choose Large to remove app labels and make icons bigger.
5. Select Tinted to change icon colors and use a gradient scale or background color picker.

2. Revamped Control Center

iOS 18 also gives the Control Center a significant overhaul. You can now customize which controls appear and how they’re arranged. Not only that, but third-party apps are allowed to integrate into the Control Center for the first time, giving you even more control over your device.

3. Enhanced RCS Messaging – But It’s Not Perfect

Apple has made strides in improving cross-platform messaging by introducing RCS (Rich Communication Services) for iPhone-to-Android chats. This update addresses long-standing complaints about sending blurry images and videos between iPhones and Androids. Now, you can share higher-quality files, see read receipts, and even view typing indicators in these mixed group chats.

However, there’s a big catch: RCS messages between iPhones and Android devices are not end-to-end encrypted. This compromises the privacy and security of your chats when Android users are involved. Apple is working with Google to improve RCS security in future updates, but for now, be cautious when sharing sensitive information with Android users.

4. Redesigned Photos App

The Photos app in iOS 18 comes with a sleek new interface and powerful tools. It now automatically organizes your photos into categories like Trips and People & Pets, making it easier to find specific images. New features allow you to:

• Remove unwanted objects from photos.
• Use natural language search to find photos based on descriptions.

This update also includes security improvements, giving you more control over which apps can access your photos. Now, you can limit third-party apps to a specific set of photos, rather than granting them access to your entire library.

5. Offline Hiking Maps for Apple Maps

For outdoor enthusiasts, iOS 18 brings topographical maps and the ability to save hiking trails offline in Apple Maps. Whether you’re exploring a national park or planning a weekend hike, you can download trail maps ahead of time and access them without a signal.

6. New Notes App Features

The Notes app has received useful updates, including:

• Math Notes: Solve equations by typing or drawing them in the Notes app.
• Voice Memos: Transcribe voice recordings directly into a note.
• Collapsible sections for better organization.

These features make the app more versatile for both work and personal use.

7. Lock and Hide Apps

If privacy is a concern, iOS 18 lets you lock specific apps using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. You can also hide apps in a locked folder, keeping them secure from prying eyes. Hidden apps won’t appear in Spotlight Search or deliver notifications, ensuring maximum privacy.

8. Safari Highlights and Reader

Safari now features Highlights, a tool that identifies key information on a webpage and displays it in a pop-up window. The Reader function provides a clean, summarized version of long articles, allowing you to quickly absorb the main points.

What’s Missing: Apple Intelligence and Other Features

While iOS 18 brings many exciting updates, some of the most anticipated features, like Apple Intelligence, are delayed until iOS 18.1, expected in October. This AI-powered suite includes:

• A smarter Siri with improved context understanding.
• AI-driven photo editing and transcription features.
• New email summaries and text generation tools.

These features will only be available on the iPhone 16 and higher models, leaving many users waiting for the next big update.

Conclusion

iOS 18 offers an impressive range of new features, from customization options and enhanced messaging to improved apps like Photos and Maps. While it’s a strong update, users will have to wait for the more advanced AI features promised in future releases. If you’re ready to experience iOS 18, simply head to Settings > General > Software Update and upgrade your iPhone.

What are your favourite iOS 18 features so far? Let us know in the comments!

Shakir Bukhari

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