TIPS + TRICKS iOS & iPadOS 18

It's that time of year when Tim Cook scrambles down your chimney and deposits new toys directly into your iPhone and iPad - so Stuff digs into the best ones to try first

THE BASICS

■ Back up

It’s unlikely that installing an operating system upgrade will obliterate your data. But it’s not impossible. So unless you like living dangerously, ensure you take a full iCloud backup before upgrading your iPhone or iPad. Ideally, back up your device to a Mac or PC too.

■ Take a note

The revamped Notes app helps you better organise and navigate complex memos. Headings and subheadings can be collapsed, so you can focus on a specific section; and selected text can have coloured highlights applied. More of a scribbler, but lacking good penmanship? On iPad, Smart Script options will attempt to turn your scrawl into something legible.

■ Get organised

Calendar now helpfully – and finally – integrates scheduled Reminders. It’s also got a snazzy new Month view, which lets you pinch to expand the size of event lozenges, so you can more easily browse what’s planned across multiple days. If you hate it, have no fear – just tap the view icon and switch from Details back to List.

■ Centre yourself

Flick upwards in Control Centre to see its new multiple panes, including bespoke ones for music playback and networking. Tap-hold and you can rearrange and resize controls – and add new ones, including those from third-party apps. In a similar vein, you can customise your lock screen to swap out the torch and camera if you’d prefer different shortcuts.

■ Be patient

Not every promised feature arrived on launch – the biggest omission being Apple Intelligence, which we’ll cover at a later date. It’s designed to streamline writing, image creation and sorting email, and give Siri a welcome shot in the arm… that is, assuming it doesn’t spend its time hallucinating and making stuff up.

TOT IT UP