Each year Apple adds new bells and whistles to its operating system and it is no different this time around. Released just a few months ago, iOS 18 is already winning up crowds with top IOS apps. With a set of creative, innovative and useful iOS 18 features, this latest iteration is set to set standards and even break the ones set by its predecessor. After all, iOS 17 was one of the most popular versions of iOS. Every other person was using it for its accessibility and responsiveness.
According to Statitsa’s report, “Until September 2024, iOS 17 had a market share of around 80 percent among all Apple devices in the USA.”
That is natural and expected. But will the new iOS version win Apple users over, or will they go back to using iOS 17? The question is about the fate of IOS app development, and the answer remains to be seen. But from what we have seen so far, the iOS 18 features on display are more than lucrative. They will keep Apple users using the latest version. Therefore, what are these features, and more so, which apps can use these features to provide an even better experience? To find out more about this, we will look at the top 20 iOS 18 features in this blog. So, without any further ado, let’s get right into it.
Searching Features
1. Identify Songs Using the Action Button
iOS 18 introduces a new Action Button which, for many, is a debate settler for Android vs IOS. You can set the action button to instantly identify the songs playing around you. It is one of the best iOS 18 features. You can tap the button, and your iPhone will recognize the track. It will give you the title and the artist and add it to your Apple Music library. This feature leverages Shazam’s audio recognition technology to instantly recognize new music. It can help you remember a catchy familiar tune, or find just the name of that catchy song you just heard. No more searching through lyrics or humming melodies to find the song. Now, the Action Button puts song identification right at your fingertips.
2. Search Images with Handwriting and Illustrations in the Photos App
The enhanced Photos app in iOS 18 can now search for images containing handwritten text or illustrations. This makes it easy to quickly find specific sketches, diagrams, or handwritten notes stored in your photo library. Whether you need to locate a whiteboard brainstorm, a hastily scribbled recipe, or an annotated document, the Photos app’s improved search capabilities allow you to retrieve those visually rich images with ease. No more sifting through endless photo albums to find that one important image you know you captured.
3. Transcribe Voice Memos and Make Them Searchable
One of the best features of iOS 18 is related to voice memos. It allows for the automatic transcription of audio recordings. This feature now allows you to search the text of your voice memos. Furthermore, it lets you find that recording by keywords. So, you never again have to waste time scrolling through those long lists of cryptically named voice notes to find that important meeting recap or a brilliant idea you captured on the go. Transcription makes voice recordings talk back to you because, with transcription, the information is right at your fingertips.
4. Search Call History
iOS 18 introduces call history searches, making it even easier to revisit one of those past conversations. Starting now, you will be able to search calls by contact name and phone number for convenience in reviewing key discussions or tracking down a misplaced contact detail. Gone are the days of infinite scrolling through hundreds of entries in your call log-in search of that one call. Moreover, the new search functionality is one of the best features of iOS 18. It’ll make quick work of finding that recent client call or that follow-up call you need to make.
Sharing Features
5. Share your Wi-Fi password using the QR Code
No more fiddling with the awkward sharing of your Wi-Fi password or trying to read it aloud. Now, iOS 18 gives you the capability to generate a shareable QR code. You can then use that code for scanning by visitors in order to connect them to your home network instantaneously. This helps avoid any potential mistakes when you would normally manually give your password. It ensures that your guests are online in a quick and secure manner. Say goodbye to those frustrating moments of sharing passwords and say hello to seamlessly shared Wi-Fi.
6. Share a Specific Section of a Podcast
iOS 18 makes it possible to pick any relevant section when you share a podcast with friends, family, or co-workers and send just that, not the whole thing. This is right up there with the best iOS 18 features. Moreover, this will make it easy to emphasize certain insights, discussion points, or thought-provoking segments without forcing your audience to go through the recording of an entire episode. Whether it’s an interesting interview fragment, a brilliant analysis, or a profound monologue, being able to exactly target the content that you want to share raises the podcast-sharing experience to the next level.
Customization Features
7. Change an App to a Widget Without Leaving the Home Screen
iOS 18 makes it possible for any app icon to be turned into a widget. This means instant access to some information or key actions without needing to open the full application. Of course, that way, you can also make your home screen have the most frequently used app functions right at your fingertips. Be it to check the weather, step count monitor, or even control your smart home devices, this ability to turn apps into widgets truly streamlines your day-to-day interactions with the iPhone to ensure you waste less time and energy.
8. Customize Lock Screen Widgets
iOS 18 gives you more ways than ever to make your Lock Screen your own, with the ability to curate a set of widgets that glance over the information and capabilities you need most. Whether you want to track your fitness goals, keep an eye on your calendar, or commit to controlling your smart home devices, these customizable widgets turn your Lock Screen into a dynamic hub tailored to your specific needs. It is one of the top iOS 18 features, as you can easily reorder, resize, and change the widgets to create a Lock Screen that’s uniquely yours. Moreover, it will improve how you interact with your iPhone on a daily basis.
Control Center Features
9. Restart Your iPhone from the Control Center
No more hunting through settings menus or navigating complex button sequences to restart your iPhone. iOS 18 introduces a dedicated “Restart” option directly within the Control Center, putting this essential function right at your fingertips. This streamlined approach saves you time and effort, allowing you to quickly reboot your device whenever needed, whether it’s due to a frozen app, software updates, or general troubleshooting. The Control Center’s restart feature is hands down among the best iOS 18 features. It ensures you can get your iPhone back up and running with a few taps, minimizing disruptions to your workflow.
10. Add New Widgets to the Control Center
Expand the functionality of your Control Center in iOS 18 by adding new, customizable widgets. Whether you need quick access to your favorite productivity tools, entertainment controls, or smart home commands, you can now tailor the Control Center to suit your specific needs. Simply browse the available widget options and add the ones that will empower you to work smarter and stay connected. This enhanced Control Center puts a wealth of useful features and information just a swipe away, optimizing your iPhone experience.
You can expand the functionality of your Control Center in iOS 18 by adding new, customizable widgets. Whether you need quick access to your favorite productivity tools, entertainment controls, or smart home commands, you can now tailor the Control Center to suit your specific needs. Moreover, you can simply browse the available widget options and add the ones that will empower you to work smarter and stay connected. This enhanced Control Center puts a wealth of useful features and information just a swipe away, optimizing your iPhone experience. This is why it is one of the best iOS 18 features.
11. Dual SIM in Control Center
With iOS 18, managing your dual SIM setup from right inside the Control Center is easier than ever before. You can only tap once, and you’ll switch to your work or personal phone number in a split second to make sure you’re connected on the right line. No more digging into settings menus or even managing physical SIM cards anymore. With dual SIM controls in the Control Center, you can establish a professional and personal life on one device quite seamlessly, making this among the most useful features of iOS 18.
Accessibility Features
12. Adjust Your Flashlight’s Beam Width
One of the best features of iOS 18 is the much-improved Flashlight tool. It enables you to adjust the beam width to suit your needs. Whether you’re in dire need of a high-intensity, focused beam for lighting up a path with minimal light, or you prefer a wider and softer one for ambient purposes, you can now fine-tune the flashlight’s output with just a few taps. That’s a whole new level of control that turns your iPhone’s flashlight into an all-purpose tool. It is literally suited for anything from navigating areas with no lighting to providing temporary lighting at home.
13. Tapback With Emoji and Stickers
iOS 18 takes the Tapback feature to a whole new level by enabling you to respond with a variety of emojis and stickers. Instead of using thumbs-ups, hearts, or exclamations in limited ways, you will be able to use an expressive array of icons in a quick, colorful way to add life to your thoughts and feelings in messages. This upgraded version of Tapback is going to make things way easier for you beforehand in adding an edge of nuance and personality to the way you communicate.
14. Open Another App Using Camera Control
iOS 18 introduces this cool feature where you can open up another app directly from the Camera itself. This is one of the most ingenious iOS 18 features. It enables you to seamlessly transition between capturing moments and accessing relevant tools or information without having to exit the Camera app entirely. Whether you want to jot down notes about a photo quickly, look up a nearby restaurant, or share an image on social media, being able to open other apps from within the Camera app optimizes your photo capture workflow and extends your general iPhone experience.
15. Record with a Song Playing
iOS 18 introduces a whole new experience in video recording. It allows you to capture footage with your favorite song in the background. This is one of the best iOS 18 features. It perfectly fuses the music and camera features of your device into an alluring way to make dynamic, music-enhanced videos without going into cumbersome post-production work.
Whether it’s shooting a dance routine, preparing a cooking tutorial, or simply recording your personal vlog, the aspect of recording as music plays adds that immersive, professional touch to your content. You can stop worrying about whether to record a moment or just enjoy the perfect soundtrack, as the feature “Record with a Song Playing” coming with iOS 18 will let you do both.
16. Camera’s 5-Second Timer
Capturing group shots and timed selfies just got a whole lot easier with the enhanced Camera app in iOS 18. A new 5-second timer is one of the best iOS 18 features. It offers a convenient on-screen countdown. Moreover, it gives you enough time to fire up and get in the frame. This way, you can adjust your pose and get yourself ready just so before the shutter clicks. No more desperate sprints to make it into the frame, no fumbling over self-timers in discomfort. This timer will let you take control of your photo sessions and always be in the memories that you create. Whether you’re capturing a special moment or just documenting any spontaneous moment, the 5-second timer on the Camera makes it utterly easy to get the shot you want.
Privacy Features
17. Lock and Hide Apps
You can enhance the security and privacy of your iPhone with new iOS 18 features such as the “Lock and Hide Apps.” This feature is pretty strong, enabling you to lock and hide selected applications so they won’t get unauthorized access or opening. Whether sensitive financial information, personal messages, or just cleaning up your home screen, the Lock and Hide Apps tool lends you granular control over what’s on your device. Now, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that your most critical applications are safe from unwanted viewers yet easily accessible for daily use.
18. Hide App Labels on the Home Screen
You can make your iPhone’s home screen look even better with iOS 18 features, as you can hide application labels. That would give you a clean and minimalistic view. It allows you not to see the text accompanying each of your application icons. Decluttering in this manner enhances the aesthetic appeal. It also allows you to focus on the core functionality of the apps instead of the labels themselves. Therefore, it is one of the best iOS 18 features for those who like to keep things simple and intuitive. Moreover, the Hide App Labels option can really turn your home screen into a sleek, distraction-free space.
19. Hide Screenshots from your Library
iOS 18 introduces a thoughtful privacy feature that automatically hides screenshots from your device’s photo library. That way, it will keep sensitive or personal screenshots well hidden so that they are not shared by chance. It ensures they do not pop up when one browses through photos. No more ‘oh no’ moments when a screenshot of something confidential or embarrassing pops up in front of friends, family, or colleagues. The Hidden Screenshots feature tucks those images away in a nicely discreet corner. It keeps your photo library clean and curated yet still retains your screenshot history for your own reference.
20. Distraction Control on Safari
Distraction Control in iOS 18 helps Safari maintain focus and productivity. It is a strong tool to mute audio, pause video playback, and even block specific types of content. This makes sure you do not fall into the pitfalls of internet-fueled distractions. Whether you want to focus on an important project, prepare for an exam, or even read a bit in peace and quiet, Distraction Control gives you the ability to customize your Safari experience. This ensures you stay on task and avoid getting lured away from unnecessary notifications or attention-grabbing content. Boost your digital well-being and reclaim your concentration with this innovative Safari enhancement.
Final Thoughts
Those are the top 20 iOS 18 features we have for this blog. We hope these features can convince you to update your iOS version. However, if you need to develop an iOS app or want to get a quote on the iOS app development cost, you can consult with Linkitsoft’s team of experts. Moreover, we have many more blogs like this that you can check out from our website’s blog section.
