Apple released the public beta of iOS 18 last week. We’re here to test the latest version of the software on iPhones and give our thoughts on the latest version of the software that will arrive on iPhones later this year. We’ll start with customization.
In iOS 18, users are greeted with an updated Control Center. Upon entering the new Control Center, you will immediately notice that the single pull-down page is a thing of the past. The updated Control Center comes with two new controls that can be navigated and configured according to the user’s preferences. Additionally, there are two new pages that can be accessed by swiping up. These pages provide access to media playback options and a page dedicated to network settings. The number of pages has been modified to allow quick access to apps that are playing music in the background.
What happens to widgets in iOS 18?
iOS 18 adds the long-awaited ability to place app icons and widgets wherever you want. However, you can’t center app icons on the screen because there is a grid on the foundation that the icons snap to. The edit button in the top left corner lets you customize the icon size, switch between dark and light modes for the icon and widget pack, and add a tint. However, the tint option may not be well received, as it was difficult to find a tint color that didn’t make the icons look washed out or a dark version of the color you chose. Other small changes include the recently called screen tweaks and the display of the power and volume buttons on the sides of the bezel.
iOS 18 adds the long-awaited feature that lets you place app icons and widgets wherever you want. Photo credit: Special Arrangement
What has changed in the Photos app?
With this update, you can now view images based on “Year, Month, All”. You can also search for images based on their description within the app. During testing, we found that the search feature works very well with well-thought-out keywords. Images can be retrieved based on information like the date and time of capture, location, subject description, and names of individuals that the user has previously added within the app.
What has changed in password managers?
Apple will introduce a dedicated password manager app in iOS 18. The features it offers are similar to those already present in Settings, although it may be a pain to find. The app, which can currently be unlocked using Face ID, stores all your passwords and passkeys and provides information about passwords that may have appeared in data leaks or that have been reused across multiple sites.
Apple will introduce a dedicated password manager app in iOS 18. | Photo credit: Special Arrangement
How have note apps changed?
Math Notes, previously thought to be an iPad-only feature, is now available on iPhones too. In Notes, you can simply write a mathematical equation, type an “equals” sign at the end, and Notes will solve the equation and display the handwritten result. However, this feature is limited to iPhone 15 Pro models.
To access your notes within the Calculator app, tap Calculator in the bottom-left corner, which also brings up options to use the scientific calculator and convert currency.
What are the UI updates?
Apple’s iOS 18 also introduces UI changes when it comes to how the size of the Control Center buttons is managed, plus the flashlight’s scope can now be adjusted in width and focus, as well as intensity.
Apple’s iOS has a redesigned Control Center. Photo credit: Special Arrangement
verdict
Apple’s latest iOS includes some nifty updates. While some of the customizations may be a love-it-or-hate-it experience for some users, the updated calculator and new password manager make it worth the update. However, the Apple Intelligence (AI) features aren’t in the beta yet, so we’ll cover that in September, when AI is expected to be released alongside the iPhone 16 series.
How to download iOS 18
For years, Apple has made it easy for users to test beta versions of upcoming software. Users can join Apple’s beta program by going to Settings > Software Update > Beta Updates. Select iOS 18 beta.
Beta updates may contain bugs that may cause data loss, so be sure to back up your data before updating the software.
Once the backup is complete, download and install the software.
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