iOS 18: All the details and hidden features you won't want to miss
Macworld|December 2024
After you update, be sure to check out these delightful little improvements.
JASON CROSS
iOS 18: All the details and hidden features you won't want to miss

Apple has released IOS 18 (fave.co/3Bk1PTU), and it's full of big new features such as new Home Screen customization options (fave.co/ 3C6Xpjq), an all-new Control Center, RCS support (fave.co/3YmJSVA) and other Messages features, and a brand-new Photos app.

Apple Intelligence (fave.co/3MZugcd) is coming piece by piece starting with iOS 18.1, but there's still a lot of great new stuff in this first iOS 18 release.

After you download and apply the update (fave.co/3LP01EM), you'll have your evening full just trying out and learning all the new major features, but sometimes it's the little tweaks and changes that can have the most impact on how you use your iPhone. Here are some of the smaller, lesser-known features and changes that didn't get a lot of hype but can make a real difference for you.

1. PHONE IMPROVEMENTS

Recent calls search lets you find previous calls using the number, name, or even words left in the transcribed voicemail.

The microphone will automatically select Voice Isolation, Wide Spectrum, or Standard depending on conditions. You can still manually change it in the Control Center.

Keypad search lets you start typing numbers on the keypad, and it will use both the numbers and alphanumeric letters to search your contacts.

2. PHOTOS

There are tons of changes to Photos-Apple has made the Photos revamp a marquee feature of IOS 18. But make sure you scroll down and check out the Utilities section.

This helpful area organizes your photos by categories such as Receipts, QR Codes, Documents, photos with handwriting, photos with illustrations or drawings, and so on.

This story is from the December 2024 edition of Macworld.

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