iOS 18 Now Available, with New Customization, Privacy, and Security Features for iPhone

Apple officially launched its new version of operating systems on Monday, including iOS 18, which brings new customization, privacy, and security features, although it delays the arrival of image generation tools like Genmoji and Image Playground.

The Cupertino team unveiled in June the new features introduced in their latest iPhone operating system, highlighting its capabilities for customizing icons and widgets, as well as privacy features to block and hide services installed on the device or Apple Intelligence.

They also shared innovations for the operating systems used in tablets (iPadOS 18) and Mac computers, with the new macOS Sequoia. Additionally, new functionalities were introduced for Apple Vision Pro and Apple TV with tvOS.

In this context, Apple has officially launched iOS 18, which comes with various functions designed to personalize smartphone usage, stay connected with friends and family, and "relive favorite moments," all in a secure and private manner.

Among these new features, iOS 18 offers a new look for apps, which stand out against the background when dark mode is enabled, and whose icons can also be colored according to the user's preferences.

Furthermore, the control center has been redesigned to present new groups of controls, which can be accessed more smoothly by swiping down on the home screen. These controls include music management, screen brightness, notifications, or clock, among others. Additionally, third-party app controls compatible with this manager can be added to have everything in one place.

To reminisce about important moments, Apple has also introduced improvements to the Gallery, which has been redesigned so that users can organize it according to their needs. For example, it allows generating collections to automatically organize the library based on the image’s theme.

As a result, the gallery can be organized by trips, recent photos, people, or even pets. Furthermore, these collections can be organized to appear in the order desired by users, saving search time.

Apple has also introduced new features in its Messages app, which now includes new ways to customize text with animated effects. Following this trend, iOS 18 includes the option to schedule messages to be sent later, even when there is poor coverage with satellite messages. Meanwhile, the Mail app also introduces new options to improve the service, with the ability to sort messages by importance or urgency.

Regarding features focused on security and privacy, iOS 18 has introduced tools like 'Locked Apps,' which require a password or FaceID to access apps where it has been configured, and 'Hidden Apps,' which hides desired apps in an external folder.

Another new feature arriving with iOS 18 is the activation lock for components, a new measure aimed at discouraging the sale of parts from stolen iPhones. This function links an iPhone or iPad device to an Apple ID account, including all its components, so that in case of theft or loss, another person cannot use or sell it.

According to Apple, the compatible iPhone devices that can already install iOS 18 for free include all models in the iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone Xs, iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 series, and the newly introduced iPhone 16, with standard models, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max.

iPadOS, macOS, and watchOS

Additionally, Apple has officially launched the new versions of the operating systems for tablets (iPadOS 18), for computers (macOS Sequoia), and for its smartwatches, watchOS 11.

In this regard, all the new features launched in iOS 18 will also be present for the new tablet operating system, such as the redesign of the Photos app. However, it includes new features like the Calculator function.

Until now, iPads did not have a Calculator app; however, with iPadOS 18, users will be able to access this tool, which has the same appearance as the iPhone calculator but optimized for larger screens and with new options, such as the ability to view the history of results.

Regarding the new version of the operating system for computers, macOS Sequoia, Apple has introduced improvements like the rearrangement of open windows. Similarly, it has also launched a new Password app, which allows organizing credentials and security codes in one place.

Moreover, Safari introduces the machine learning feature, which enables extracting the most prominent information from web pages using the 'Highlights' tool.

iPadOS 18 is already available for iPad Pro tablets (with M4 chip), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (from the third generation), iPad Pro 11-inch (from the first generation), iPad Air (with M2 chip), iPad Air (from the third generation), iPad (from the seventh generation), and iPad mini (from the fifth generation).

For its part, macOS Sequoia can be downloaded on iMac models (from the 2019 version), iMac Pro (from 2017), Mac Studio (from 2022), MacBook Air (from 2020), Mac mini (from 2018), MacBook Pro (from 2018), and Mac Pro (from 2019).

Similarly, Apple has also launched the new version of the operating system for smartwatches, watchOS 11, which is available for Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Apple Watch Series 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, Apple Watch Ultra, and Apple Watch Ultra 2.

Delayed Features

Regarding its Apple Intelligence ecosystem, which offers tools powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), for now, it will be deployed with iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1, in beta version for devices configured in English in the United States. This includes iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, as well as iPads and Macs with M1 chip, as detailed by Apple on its website. Therefore, its arrival in Europe and, specifically, in Spain, is not yet planned.

In this framework, the technology company has also delayed the launch of some AI image generation features included in Apple Intelligence, such as Genmoji and Image Playground. In the case of the former, it allows creating new emojis directly with generative AI, while Image Playground allows generating images in seconds. Thus, as was recently announced, both image generation tools will arrive through iOS 18.2, whose launch is scheduled for December.

In addition to Apple Intelligence and its features, Apple has also delayed the arrival of some tools with iOS 18 in Europe, such as SharePlay Screen Sharing, which allows screen sharing between devices. The same applies to the iPhone Mirroring function for Mac, which allows users to bring the iPhone experience to the computer without needing to use the smartphone, and which has also been delayed.

This decision is due to "regulatory uncertainties" related to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which requires fostering interoperability and which, according to Apple, limits the arrival of certain features to its products, as shared in June of this year.