What are the new features introduced in the iOS 18 public beta version?
Apple recently released the public beta of iOS 18, marking the first time everyone can participate in testing the operating system since its introduction at WWDC24 in June. Previously, Apple only offered the beta to developers, giving them time to familiarize themselves and develop products for the new operating system.
Now, anyone can join the iOS 18 beta testing if they wish. While it’s said to be focused on AI, Apple Intelligence isn’t immediately launching on iOS 18 and is only available on newer hardware. However, this beta version shows that iOS 18 offers much more than just AI.
The update includes a range of new features for iPhone users, such as new customizations, Messages app upgrades, a completely redesigned Photos app, and more.
Here are the best features on the iOS 18 public beta that we’ve experienced so far, and you should try them out after upgrading.
Home Screen Personalization
At the height of the Android vs. iPhone battle in the 2010s, one of the biggest reasons to choose Android was its customization capabilities. The monotony of iPhone customization at the time was truly incomparable to what Android offered.
Over time, Apple has made progress in providing personalized home screen customization, but iOS 18 is a step beyond the limits of an Apple that we often consider “conservative” in allowing users to tinker with their devices.
Beyond that, Apple allows users to customize their home screen even further. Additional options include changing the color of the entire home screen as well as adjusting the size of app icons. For example, if you want a screen with blue and black themes, just a few settings will get you there, or if you prefer Dark Mode, there are now options for you to quickly do so.
All of this can be easily manipulated by pressing and holding a blank space on the home screen and selecting Edit, then Customize.
Brand New Control Center
Control Center receives a major overhaul with iOS 18. The new Control Center gives users complete control over the layout. You can create multiple pages in Control Center and easily swipe between these pages and add any adjustments you want to make your device more convenient to use. Apple brings the ability to resize those controls and better personalize the quick settings menu.
There’s also a new API that allows third-party apps to integrate controls into the new Control Center interface. For example, the Ford app can apply this API and provide controls in Control Center for things like starting your car, opening the trunk, etc.
Finally, we can also add Control Center-compatible shortcuts to the lock screen, replacing the flashlight and camera buttons that appear there by default.
Redesigned Photos App
The Photos app has been completely redesigned in iOS 18, with a new interface that makes it easier to find the photos you’re looking for. The new design is more intuitive, with a focus on making it easier to browse your photos and videos. The app also includes a new search function that makes it easier to find specific photos.
The new Photos app also includes a new “Memories” feature that automatically creates slideshows of your photos and videos. This feature is a great way to relive your memories and share them with friends and family.
Improved Messages App
The Messages app has also been updated in iOS 18, with a new focus on making it easier to communicate with friends and family. The new design is more streamlined, with a focus on making it easier to find the messages you’re looking for. The app also includes a new “Reactions” feature that makes it easier to respond to messages quickly.
The Messages app also includes a new “Group Chat” feature that makes it easier to communicate with multiple people at once. This feature is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family, and it’s also a great way to organize group events.
New Features for Health App
The Health app has also received some updates in iOS 18, with a new focus on making it easier to track your health and fitness. The new design is more intuitive, with a focus on making it easier to track your progress. The app also includes a new “Mindfulness” feature that helps you track your meditation and relaxation practices.
The Health app also includes a new “Sleep” feature that helps you track your sleep patterns. This feature is a great way to get a better understanding of your sleep quality and to identify any potential sleep problems.
New Features for Siri
Siri has also been updated in iOS 18, with a new focus on making it easier to use. The new design is more intuitive, with a focus on making it easier to find the information you’re looking for. Siri also includes a new “Proactive Suggestions” feature that provides you with relevant information and suggestions based on your usage patterns.
Siri also includes a new “Multi-Device Support” feature that allows you to use Siri on multiple devices. This feature is a great way to stay connected and to make it easier to use Siri on the go.
New Features for Safari
Safari has also been updated in iOS 18, with a new focus on making it easier to browse the web. The new design is more streamlined, with a focus on making it easier to find the websites you’re looking for. Safari also includes a new “Privacy Report” feature that provides you with information about the websites you’ve visited and the data they’ve collected about you.
Safari also includes a new “Web Inspector” feature that allows you to debug websites and to see how they’re rendered. This feature is a great way to understand how websites work and to identify any potential issues.
Photos App Gets a Major Makeover
Apple has described the changes to the Photos app in iOS 18 as the biggest upgrade yet. Gone are the tabs at the bottom of the app, replaced by a streamlined, unified layout. The new Photos app is centered around a series of collections, intelligently organizing your library based on themes.
Browse your photos by “Recent,” “People & Pets,” “Travel,” or even by location on a map. The app offers a high level of customization, allowing you to rearrange and pin different collections, filter specific content like screenshots, and more. These collections will automatically organize your photos based on their themes, making it easier than ever to find what you’re looking for.
The search function within the Photos app has also been completely overhauled. Now, you can search using a combination of people, locations, and other keywords, making finding specific memories a breeze.
Finally, iOS 18 introduces new security features to protect your photos from unauthorized access. These features provide more control over which third-party apps have access to your photo library.
Recovery Album: Bringing Back Lost Memories
The new “Recovery” album, located within the “Utilities” section of the Photos app, is a game-changer for those who have accidentally lost or corrupted photos and videos. When you upgrade to iOS 18, iPadOS 18, or macOS Sequoia, your device will automatically scan for potentially recoverable photo and video files. These files will then appear in the “Recovery” album, giving you a second chance to access your precious memories.
Notes App Gets Smarter with Math Notes and Voice Memos Integration
The Notes app, often considered a basic app, receives a significant upgrade in iOS 18. One of the most notable additions is “Math Notes.” While not as impressive as the Apple Pencil integration on the iPad, Math Notes still helps you solve equations quickly and efficiently.
The Notes app also integrates with Voice Memos, allowing you to transcribe and save your voice recordings in real time. This is a much more convenient approach than having to manually copy the entire recording from the Voice Memos app. Additionally, smaller features like the ability to color and highlight text further enhance the Notes app’s functionality.
RCS and iMessage Improvements
RCS (Rich Communication Services) is a free messaging service between carriers, integrated into Google Messages. It allows devices with Google Messages to communicate with each other for free. Google has been actively encouraging Apple to adopt RCS, and with iOS 18, Apple has finally added RCS support to iPhones.
This means improved and more secure communication with non-Apple devices. Users can enjoy better file sharing, group chats, read receipts, longer character limits, and other features that traditional SMS & MMS lack. RCS has been implemented in Vietnam, allowing for free messaging on supported devices with SIM cards from participating carriers.
While SMS usage is declining, this is a significant step towards seamless communication between iPhones and other devices. If you’re looking for a cross-platform messaging solution, this is a welcome addition, especially if you don’t want to rely on third-party apps like Zalo.
While not yet available in Vietnam, RCS support on iPhones is expected to be rolled out by carriers soon. Other upcoming iMessage features include enhanced TapBacks for quick message reactions, customizable text formatting options, and the ability to schedule messages. Unfortunately, more exciting features like GenMoji, powered by Apple Intelligence, are not included in this release.
Password Management Made Easier with a Dedicated App
Apple’s iCloud Keychain has been storing passwords for years, but accessing and managing them wasn’t always easy. The brand new Password app in iOS 18 simplifies this process, securely storing all your passwords while ensuring easy access across all your Apple devices. This app goes beyond just password storage; it’s a comprehensive security solution.
The iOS 18 Password app can monitor weak or compromised passwords, alerting you to any data breaches that could put your accounts at risk if you don’t change your passwords. It can also store passwords, Wi-Fi information, and even two-factor authentication codes. This is a feature Apple has been lacking, forcing users to rely on third-party options like Google.
Enhanced App Security
Apple prides itself on the security of its products, but for a long time, the only thing protecting your apps was your lock screen. iOS 18’s public beta introduces the option to enhance app security, locking them behind an additional layer of authentication, storing them in a hidden folder, or both. All of this is secured using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode.
While this requires an extra authentication step when opening the app, it adds an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access to sensitive apps like banking apps, dating apps, health apps, and more. Locked and hidden apps won’t send notifications, appear in Spotlight suggestions, Siri, or any other apps that could reveal their content.
These are just some of the most notable features we found useful in the iOS 18 public beta. If you’re interested in participating in Apple’s public beta program, you can sign up through the beta.apple.com website. The final version of iOS 18 is expected to be released in September, alongside the new iPhones. Remember, while the public beta is more stable than the developer beta, it still may contain bugs that could affect your phone’s performance, so proceed with caution.
Get ready to experience the future of iPhone with iOS 18!
