Apple rolls out iOS 18: Eligible iPhones, new features and how to download

Apple will roll out its biggest operating system – iOS 18 to iPhone users today at 10:30pm IST, bringing a host of new features. Announced earlier this year at WWDC event in June, iOS 18 promises features like customisable home screen, Safari enhancements, an updated Photos app and more. The update also brings enhanced text effects in Messages, and improved organizational tools in the Maps app.However, the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence features will not be available with the initial release of iOS 18. It may come with a future update later this year in October.
Nevertheless, if you are looking to download the iOS 18 on your iPhone and wondering whether your device is compatible with it, read on.

Apple iPhones supporting iOS 18

The latest iOS 18 software is supported on the 2024 iPhone 16 series along with following devices:

How to download iOS 18

This download iOS 18 on your Apple iPhone, these follow steps

iOS 18 new features

Apple iOS 18 brings more customization options to iPhones along with ‘the biggest redesign ever’ of the Photos app, new ways for users to manage their inbox in Mail, Messages over satellite, and so much more.
Nand customisation abilities
With iOS 18, iPhone users will be able to customize the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center. Users can now arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen, including placing them right above the dock for easy access or perfectly framing a wallpaper. App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make them appear larger to create the experience that is perfect for them.
Apple has redesigned the Control Center with iOS 18 to provide easier access to many of the things users every day. The redesign delivers quick access to new groups of a user’s most-utilized controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily swipe between each. With iOS 18, users can now add controls from supported third-party apps into the Control Center. Users can now switch the controls at the bottom of the Lock Screen, including choosing from the options available in the controls gallery or removing them entirely. With the Action button available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, users can quickly invoke controls available in the gallery.
Photos app gets the biggest-ever redesign
With iOS 18, Photo app will get a simplified, single view displaying a familiar grid, and new collections help users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums. Plus, collections can be pinned to keep favorites easily accessible. A new carousel view presents highlights that update each day and feature favorite people, pets, places, and more. Autoplaying content throughout the app brings libraries to life, so past moments can be enjoyed while browsing. The app is customisable which means users can organize collections, pin collections to access frequently, and include what’s most important to them in the carousel view.
Changes in iMessages
iMessage gets an all-new text effect with iOS 18. It brings conversations to life by amplifying any letter, word, phrase, or emoji with dynamic, animated appearances. Users can better express tone by adding formatting like bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough. Tapbacks expand to include any emoji or sticker, and now users can compose a message and schedule to send it at a later time.
Later this year, Mail app will also get new ways for users to manage their inbox and stay up to date. On-device categorization organizes and sorts incoming email into Primary for personal and time-sensitive emails, Transactions for confirmations and receipts, Updates for news and social notifications, and Promotions for marketing emails and coupons.
Changes to Safari, new Passwords app and more
Using machine learning, Safari can surface key information about a webpage. For example, users can review a summary to get the gist of an article; quickly see the location of a restaurant, hotel, or landmark; or listen to an artist’s track right from an article about the song or album. Reader has been redesigned to offer even more ways to enjoy articles without distraction, with a summary and table of contents included for longer articles.
Apple iOS 18 also introduces the new Passwords app to make it easy for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification code. The software update also gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories.