Apple's iOS 18, which has been in beta since June, is ready for public release and has proven to be stable so far. With less than 24 hours until its launch (unless there's a delay), here are some of the standout features to look out for. But, keep in mind that the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence feature is not yet included in iOS 18.0 and will be released in iOS 18.1 next month.
Changes to the Messages App
One of the best updates in iOS 18 is the new Send Later feature in the Messages app. Finally, you can schedule messages to be sent at the right time, which is very useful for timely reminders or messages you don't want to forget. In addition to this, the Tap Back feature has been improved with more emoji reactions, as well as color options so you can more easily express your emotions in conversations.
Passwords App
Apple also introduced a dedicated app for iCloud Keychain passwords called Passwords. This app has a built-in password manager, so now it's easier to access your passwords in one place. Although this is convenient, experts still recommend using a third-party password manager as a backup for added security.
Upgraded na Safari Experience
The Safari update also includes some handy features. Hide Distracting Items is one of them, where you can block pop-up windows and other irritating elements that disturb your browsing. This is very helpful especially on websites that have a lot of pop-ups that cannot be filtered by traditional blockers. With this feature, you are in control of what you want to see while navigating the pages.
Privacy Para sa Contacts
Privacy features have also been improved in iOS 18, especially in Contacts. Now, you have more control over what information you want to share with third-party apps. Just like in the Photos app where you choose which photos you want to share, you can also choose what specific information from Contacts to share. This is a big step for privacy protection.
Homescreen Customization
Another cool feature is your ability to lock or hide apps on your homescreen. When you lock an app, authentication is required before it can be opened. You can also hide it, and authentication is also required to unhide it. I haven't tried this feature yet, but it would be great if it could be integrated with Shortcuts to automatically lock Photos or games when you're at work.
While there are many other features to explore, some require other Apple devices such as AirPods Pro or Apple TV. You, what is your favorite feature of iOS 18 so far?
