Apple executives at all times describe new {hardware} and software program because the “greatest” or “greatest” ever, however the supply doesn’t normally stay as much as the hype (see final 12 months’s iPads). Nonetheless, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 could be deserving of some of these adjectives. The most recent model of the working system has the same old diploma of year-over-year quality-of-life enhancements, however Apple Intelligence steals the limelight.
That is Apple’s implementation of synthetic intelligence-powered duties which have been sweeping via the tech trade over the previous few years. Even Siri obtained an overdue improve—the most important because the voice assistant’s debut 13 years in the past. Listed here are all the brand new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 options, methods to obtain the present model, and what precisely you’ll expertise with Apple Intelligence.
Up to date January 2025: We have added new particulars about iOS 18.3 and iPadOS 18.3.
Desk of Contents
Is Your iPhone or iPad Appropriate?
Excellent news! Each iPhone that was able to putting in iOS 17 can run iOS 18. Apple didn’t drop any iPhones from the record of supported units. You probably have the iPhone XR and iPhone XS from 2018 or newer (together with the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you may obtain and run iOS 18. In case you’re not sure what mannequin iPhone you’ve got, head to the Settings app, faucet on Common > About and take a look at the Mannequin Identify. This doesn’t suggest each function is on the market, as some require extra trendy processors. (Apple Intelligence, for instance, is unique to the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 16 fashions; extra on this under.)
It’s just a little extra sophisticated for iPads, because the naming scheme will depend on the {hardware} technology relatively than particular gadget names. Listed here are the generations that help iPadOS 18 (in contrast to iPhones, some iPads are now not supported). You possibly can work out which mannequin you’ve got by following the instructions right here.
- iPad: seventh gen and later
- iPad Mini: fifth gen and later
- iPad Air: third gen and later (together with M2)
- iPad Professional 11-inch: 1st gen and later
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch: third gen and later (together with M4)
Try our Greatest iPhones and Greatest iPads guides to study extra about present fashions.
Earlier than putting in the brand new working system, I extremely suggest you again up your units. You are able to do this through iCloud—go to Settings, faucet in your title on the prime, and choose iCloud. Then, faucet on iCloud Backup, toggle it on, and faucet Again Up Now to begin a brand new backup. On the earlier iCloud web page, you even have the choice to toggle off sure apps that you do not need to embrace within the backup. Haven’t got sufficient iCloud storage, or need to use one other technique? Try our Methods to Again Up Your iPhone or iPad information for various choices.
As soon as you have backed up, you are prepared to put in iOS 18. Since it is a hefty replace, it is best to plug your units right into a charger and guarantee they’re related to Wi-Fi earlier than the replace begins. Now go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace. You will see the choice to obtain the replace. Faucet Obtain and Set up and, when the obtain is completed, faucet Set up Now to begin the replace. You’ll know the replace is full when your gadget restarts.
New iOS/iPadOS 18 Model Updates
All the highest options in iOS and iPadOS 18 are highlighted under, however Apple continues to launch extra updates all year long. These embrace new options unavailable at launch, bug fixes, and safety patches. To replace your iPhone, go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace and observe the directions above.
iOS/iPadOS 18.3: This replace contains improved notification summaries, upgrades to Visible Intelligence for iPhone 16 fashions, and a minor function added to the Calculator app. Apple Intelligence is now enabled by default (although you can flip it off).
iOS/iPadOS 18.2: This replace introduced Genmoji, Picture Playground, Picture Wand, ChatGPT in Siri, Visible Intelligence, AirTag shared location monitoring in Discover My, new Mail app options, and new settings for Digital camera Management. Additionally, Writing Instruments will get a elevate from ChatGPT too, with the power to compose messages. There is no want to affix a waitlist anymore to benefit from Apple Intelligence.
iOS/iPadOS 18.1: Apple formally launched Apple Intelligence on this model. Initially, you needed to head to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Be part of the Waitlist to enroll. The ready record took a number of hours; Apple mentioned it was to make sure there’s enough server capability. Apple Intelligence launched with the next sensible options: Writing Instruments, Reminiscence Motion pictures and Clear Up in Apple Images, Precedence Messages in Mail, Good Reply in Messages, Summaries for Transcriptions and Name recordings in Notes, Notification Summaries, and the brand new Scale back Interruptions Focus.
What Is Apple Intelligence?
Each main tech firm has been integrating synthetic intelligence into its {hardware} and software program, from Google to Samsung to Microsoft, and now it is Apple’s flip. Apple Intelligence is the time period you may see the corporate throw round over the subsequent few years, and it powers most of the new AI options in its units.
It is powered by Apple’s giant language fashions (partly educated via information from the general public net, in line with Axios’ Ina Fried). It requires Apple silicon, the corporate’s bespoke chips which have a hybrid structure designed to run AI duties. Though the units Apple Intelligence runs on are able to the on-device processing wanted to finish AI duties, generally the duty is just too massive and must be despatched off to the cloud. When a job requires extra processing, it will be despatched to a safe information middle stacked with computer systems that additionally run Apple silicon. Whereas this technique of computing is usually much less personal, Apple claims that its Personal Cloud Compute platform focuses on guaranteeing information privateness for every person. Solely information related to your question is shipped to those servers, and the information is simply used in your requests and by no means saved.
Apple Intelligence Appropriate Gadgets
Earlier than you get too excited, Apple Intelligence will not be obtainable for each gadget that helps iOS 18. It is solely supported on choose processors (and languages).
What precisely is Apple Intelligence? Apple breaks down its key capabilities into three buckets: Language, Photos, and Motion.
Apple Intelligence: Language
All through Apple’s {hardware} and software program, you may discover new writing instruments that draw on the facility of generative AI to help your writing. This contains Rewrite, which might help change the tone of your textual content to sound extra pleasant or extra skilled (like in an e mail), and Proofread, which kind of does what the title suggests. You may also summarize chosen textual content with a faucet.
These text-based enhancements go previous writing. It additionally powers Precedence notifications, which seem on the prime of your notification record and summarize it so that you get a extra digestible abstract at a look. Equally, the Mail app will see Precedence messages, which implies essential emails will float to the highest of your inbox. You may also get summaries of lengthy emails, and a Good Reply operate helps you to shortly reply to emails (even solutions to a number of questions posed in an e mail), not in contrast to what’s obtainable in Gmail.
For now, nevertheless, Apple has paused notification summaries for information apps following a number of situations the place the function did not summarize articles precisely. Notifications summarized by Apple Intelligence will now seem as italicized textual content.
Within the Notes, Voice Memos, and Telephone app, you may hit the file button (sure, even on a name) to get an audio recording with a transcript, and Apple Intelligence can create a abstract of that transcript. Apple says that in states that require two-party consent for recordings, the particular person on the opposite finish of the road will probably be made conscious that the decision is being recorded.
Lastly, there is a new Focus mode referred to as Scale back Interruptions that may perceive your private context, so whereas it hides incoming stuff that might distract you, it is aware of sufficient about what you have obtained occurring to permit a textual content out of your babysitter to return via.
Apple Intelligence: Photos
The Apple Intelligence picture options largely revolve round producing new photographs via synthetic intelligence. A lot of this occurs in Picture Playground, an expertise baked into different apps (although it additionally exists as a stand-alone app). You possibly can generate photographs primarily based on an outline, advised ideas, and even from individuals in your Images library. You might have management over the fashion, and it may be tweaked to match no matter’s occurring within the app you are utilizing it in.
Genmoji simply could be essentially the most anticipated function out of every thing Apple has introduced. It helps you to generate emojis instantly from the keyboard with textual content prompts. You may also pull an individual’s photograph out of your Images library to make an emoji primarily based on their seems. You will have to supply an outline first, however then you may regulate the outline till it fits what you’re going for.
Picture Wand is one other picture technology system that works particularly within the Notes app. Together with your finger or Apple Pencil, you may circle a sketch to have Apple Intelligence create one thing that appears extra refined, however you can even circle empty house, and it’ll generate a picture primarily based on the encompassing textual content. It is a straightforward approach so as to add extra visible selection to your notes.
The Images app is getting a number of AI options. You may make a Reminiscence Film by coming into an outline like “All of the desserts I ate in the course of the summer season final 12 months, set to a pop track,” and Apple’s AI will discover the suitable photographs and video, put it to a track, and craft a shareable film out of it. It’s going to even be simpler to seek for particular pictures—simply describe what you need and it will discover it, even moments in video clips (much like Google’s Ask Images function). Lastly, you may erase undesirable objects within the background of your pictures with the brand new Clear Up software within the photograph editor—precisely like Magic Eraser on Pixel telephones and Samsung’s Object Eraser.
Apple Intelligence: Motion
The ultimate a part of Apple Intelligence is arguably one which could be used essentially the most typically, and it includes Siri. The assistant has a brand new look—when activated, the perimeters of the display will glow—and now you can sort your requests to Siri as an alternative of utilizing your voice (one thing you have been in a position to do with Google Assistant for a number of years).
{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu