Guide to all new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 features

Ready to update your iPhone® and iPad®? Operating software updates are a great way to unlock new features and strengthen security. Asurion Experts are here to unpack all the features of iOS® 18 and iPadOS® 18.

At Asurion, we prioritize protecting your tech and helping you make the most of it. Whether you want to know how to take a screenshot on your iPhone or how to reset your iPad, we've got you covered. Here's what you need to know about iOS 18 and iPadOS 18.

How to get iOS 18 and iPadOS 18

To update your device to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, visit Settings  > General > Software Update. This is a big update, so Asurion Experts recommend backing up your iPhone and freeing up space before downloading. The update is available for all new and some existing iPhone and iPad® models.

iPhones that support iOS 18

• iPhone 16, Plus, Pro, Pro Max 
• iPhone 15, Plus, Pro, Pro Max 
• iPhone 14, Plus, Pro, Pro Max 
• iPhone 13, mini, Pro, Pro Max 
• iPhone 12, mini, Pro, Pro Max
• iPhone 11, Pro, Pro Max
• iPhone XR, XS, XS Max 

iPads that support iPadOS 18

• M4 iPad Pro
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (7th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation and later)

If your model is older than what’s listed above, you will need a new device before accessing iOS 18 or iPadOS 18.

New iOS 18 features for iPhone

Asurion Experts have put together this iOS 18 features list to help you get the most out of your iPhone. Let’s see what’s new:

Genmoji 

Generate personalized emojis or stickers directly from your keyboard with Genmoji™. In the sticker creator, just type the image you’d like to create—“kitten playing with yarn,” for example—and watch Gemoji generate the image in seconds. 

Photos

Among the iOS 18 features, Photo updates are some of the most exciting. While Apple Intelligence™ continues to roll out photo updates, here’s what’s already available in iOS 18:

• Natural language photo and video search. Search your photo library with natural language, speaking descriptions, like “pumpkin carving with Vivian,” or actions into your phone to pull up photos or even videos. 
• Clean up tool. Eliminate unwanted objects or people in the background of your photos with Clean up. This feature is only available on later phone models.
• Create your own Memories. Type a description of the story you want to tell, and Photos will create a memory collection for you, developing a storyline, adding chapters, and playing a perfectly paired song

Updated Control Center and Lock screen

iOS 18 lets users personalize their phone’s Control Center and Lock screen. Updates include the ability to:

• Group, resize, and adjust the layout of controls within the Control Center.
• Put any app—not just Camera and Flashlight—on the Lock screen for instant access.

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Journal app

The Journal app was introduced in iOS 17.2, but majorly updated in iOS 18. Here’s what you can expect in the new version:

• State of Mind integration. Keep records of your state of mind within journal entries.
• Audio transcription. Automatically transcribe audio entries in Journall.
• Search and sort. Search and sort your Journal entries however you choose with updated, refined search capabilities.

Locked and hidden apps

Updated security and privacy features include:

• Locked apps. Lock apps by touching and holding them down.
• Hidden apps. For additional privacy, hide locked apps so someone would needFace ID or an access code to get to them.

FaceTime

There are new FaceTime® features for iOS 18, including: 

• SharePlay integration with FaceTime. Share your screen with a friend while on a FaceTime call.
• Remote control. Request or relinquish control of your session so that you can help someone with their device—or vice versa.
• Pointing and drawing. Tap and draw on your screen to highlight objects or instruct a friend —this should come in handy when playing tech support for loved ones. 

Notes app

The Notes app is no longer just a place for, well, notes. iOS 18 offers features and writing tools that improve the capabilities and efficiency of the Notes app. These features include:

• Collapsible sections. Clean up space within very long notes by collapsing section headers.
• Audio recording in Notes. Record audio sessions directly into a note, and manually enter your own typed text while the audio recording is in progress. 
• Phone call transcription. Capture your phone conversations as audio, text, or both. 
• Math in Notes. Using an Apple Pencil, enter equations and expressions within your note for the Notes app to solve instantly. Everything you love about Math Notes—graphs, variables, and more—is now available in Notes.

Tap to Cash

Transfer Apple Cash® to another user simply by holding your phones together. This eliminates the security risks associated with exchanging phone numbers and email addresses. 

Password app 

The Apple® Passwords app is a one-stop shop for all your passwords. Within the app, users can set up two-factor verification codes, see all passwords in one place, and access Wi-Fi passwords for quick sharing. 

Notification summaries

iOS 18 hopes to minimize overwhelming notifications by grouping all notifications into a stack. At the top is a brief, customizable summary that lets you know the most important information.

Apple Intelligence features

Apple’s artificial intelligence (AI) suite, Apple Intelligence, is woven into many iOS 18 features. You’ll find that apps like Siri, Image Playground, writing tools, and more are enhanced by AI. Like most machine learning products, Apple Intelligence is a work in progress. Asurion Experts are here to show you how to get Apple Intelligence—or how to turn it off. Expect to see way more Apple Intelligence features in future updates.

New iPadOS 18 features for iPad

The iPadOS 18 update features give iPad users more opportunities to customize and get the most out of their device.

Personalized Home screen

Widgets and apps can be resized and rearranged on the Home screen. You can also pick a custom color that matches your wallpaper. 

Notes app

The Notes app in the iPad now have improved features:

• Smart Script. Improve the legibility of your handwriting, correct your spelling and grammar as you write, and even transcribe text or audio into your handwriting. 
• Text improvements. Use new text options, including colors and collapsable headers, to customize your notes. 

Calculator

The new iPad calculator can now plot graphs, convert units, and help users solve equations and evaluate expressions. 

FaceTime

There are new FaceTime features for the iPad, including:

• SharePlay integration. Share your screen while on a FaceTime call, and request or give remote control of your screen to another user. 
• Pointing and drawing. Tap and draw on your screen to highlight objects or show friends how to use their device.

Locked and hidden apps

Updated security and privacy features for the iPad include:

• Locked apps. Lock apps by touching and holding them down.
• Hidden apps folder. For additional privacy, hide locked apps so someone would need  Face ID or an access code to get to them.