On Monday, September 16, 2024, Apple released iOS 18, the latest version of its mobile operating system for iPhone. The free update is compatible with iPhone models from the XR and XS series onwards, as well as the second and third-generation iPhone SE.
While Apple Intelligence, the company’s upcoming generative AI features, was a major focus during the iOS 18 announcement at WWDC 2024, it will not be part of the initial iOS 18.0 release. The first AI-powered capabilities, such as text rewriting, proofreading, and summarization, are expected to arrive in beta later this fall with iOS 18.1 in the U.S. More advanced features like Genmoji, ChatGPT integration, and AI-generated images are slated for future 18.x updates.
Despite the delay in Apple Intelligence, iOS 18 introduces several notable improvements and quality-of-life updates, including:
- New home screen customization options with dark and tinted icons
- A modular Control Center design
- Significant updates to various built-in apps
Some of the most anticipated features in iOS 18 are:
- A complete redesign of the Photos app with a stronger focus on past memories
- Live audio transcription in Voice Memos and Notes
- A dedicated Passwords app for centralized credential management
How to Update Your iPhone to iOS 18
The iOS 18 update is currently rolling out and can be installed either over-the-air through the Settings app or by connecting your device to a computer for a wired update. The latter option may be preferable if your iPhone has limited storage, as it requires less free space on the device itself.
Before updating, it’s crucial to back up your iPhone’s data. Ensure that your iCloud backup is up-to-date by going to Settings > [Your Name] > [Device Name]. Alternatively, you can connect your device to a computer and perform a manual backup using Finder or iTunes. Remember to enable encryption for your backups to protect sensitive information like passwords and health data.
To initiate the update, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update[8]. Once the “Update Requested…” message appears, the download will commence automatically once available.
