Apple executives all the time describe new {hardware} and software program because the “greatest” or “largest” ever, however the supply doesn’t normally reside as much as the hype (see final 12 months’s iPads). Nevertheless, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 may be deserving of some of these adjectives. The most recent model of the working system has the standard diploma of year-over-year quality-of-life enhancements, however Apple Intelligence steals the limelight.
That is Apple’s implementation of artificial-intelligence-powered duties which have been sweeping via the tech trade over the previous few years. Even Siri bought an improve, although we’re nonetheless ready for lots of the promised options to reach. Listed here are all the brand new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 options, the right way to obtain the present model, and what precisely you’ll expertise with Apple Intelligence.
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Up to date Could 2025: We have added particulars about iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5.
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 listing of supported units. In case you have the iPhone XR and iPhone XS from 2018 or newer (together with the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you possibly can obtain and run iOS 18. In case you’re not sure what mannequin iPhone you’ve gotten, head to the Settings app, faucet on Basic > About and take a look at the Mannequin Title. This doesn’t suggest each function is out there, as some require extra fashionable processors. (Apple Intelligence, for instance, is unique to the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 16 fashions; extra on this under.)
It’s slightly extra difficult for iPads, because the naming scheme is dependent upon the {hardware} technology slightly than particular gadget names. Listed here are the generations that assist iPadOS 18 (in contrast to iPhones, some iPads are now not supported). You possibly can determine which mannequin you’ve gotten 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 and M3)
- iPad Professional 11-inch: 1st gen and later
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch: third gen and later (together with M4)
Take a look at 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 by way of iCloud—go to Settings, faucet in your identify 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 wish to embrace within the backup. Do not have sufficient iCloud storage, or wish to use one other methodology? Take a look at our Learn how to Again Up Your iPhone or iPad information for different choices.
As soon as you have backed up, you are prepared to put in iOS 18. Since this can be 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 > Basic > 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 > Basic > Software program Replace and comply with the directions above.
iOS/iPadOS 18.5: This replace consists of assist for satellite tv for pc options on all iPhone 13 fashions, Display Time passcode notifications, “Purchase with iPhone” on the Apple TV app by way of a third-party gadget, and CarPlay Extremely (beginning with Aston Martin automobiles).
iOS/iPadOS 18.4: This replace consists of Precedence Notifications inside Apple Intelligence, Visible Intelligence for the iPhone 15 Professional, a stand-alone Imaginative and prescient Professional app, new Emoji, Sketch mode in Picture Playground, recipes in Apple Information+, new group options within the Images app, preauthorized funds in Apple Pockets, lossless audio with AirPods Max, and entry to Apple Intelligence options within the Management Heart.
iOS/iPadOS 18.3: This replace consists of 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 possibly 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 Digicam Management. Additionally, Writing Instruments will get a elevate from ChatGPT too, with the power to compose messages. There is not any 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 a part of the Waitlist to enroll. The ready listing took a number of hours; Apple mentioned it was to make sure there’s enough server capability. Apple Intelligence launched with the next good options: Writing Instruments, Reminiscence Films 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 Cut back Interruptions Focus.
What Is Apple Intelligence?
Each main tech firm has been integrating synthetic intelligence into its {hardware} and software program, from Google and Samsung to Microsoft. Apple Intelligence is Apple’s model, and it is the time period you may see the corporate throw round over the following few years; it powers lots of the new AI options in its units.
It is powered by Apple’s giant language fashions (partly skilled via information from the general public internet, based on Axios’ Ina Fried). It requires Apple silicon, the corporate’s bespoke chips which have a hybrid structure designed to run AI duties. Although the units Apple Intelligence runs on are able to the on-device processing wanted to finish AI duties, generally the duty is simply too large and must be despatched off to the cloud. When a job requires extra processing, it’s going to be despatched to a safe information heart stacked with computer systems that additionally run Apple silicon. Whereas this methodology 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 info is just used on your requests and by no means saved.
Apple Intelligence Appropriate Units
Earlier than you get too excited, Apple Intelligence isn’t out there 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 consists of Rewrite, which may also help change the tone of your textual content to sound extra pleasant or extra skilled (like in an electronic mail), and Proofread, which kind of does what the identify suggests. It’s also possible to summarize chosen textual content with a faucet.
These text-based enhancements transcend writing. It additionally powers Precedence notifications, which seem on the prime of your notification listing and summarize it so that you get a extra digestible abstract at a look. You possibly can flip the function on by going to Settings > Notifications> Prioritize Notifications. Equally, the Mail app affords Precedence messages, which suggests vital emails will float to the highest of your inbox. It’s also possible to get summaries of lengthy emails, and a Good Reply perform helps you to rapidly reply to emails (even solutions to a number of questions posed in an electronic mail), not in contrast to what’s out there in Gmail.
For now, nevertheless, Apple has paused notification summaries for information apps following a number of cases 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 Cellphone app, you possibly can 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 known as Cut back Interruptions that may perceive your private context, so whereas it hides incoming stuff that would distract you, it is aware of sufficient about what you have bought 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 pictures 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 pictures based mostly on an outline, advised ideas, and even from individuals in your Images library. You could have management over the type, and it may be tweaked to match no matter’s taking place within the app you are utilizing it in. It’s also possible to select between totally different kinds, together with Illustration, Animation, and (most not too long ago) Sketch, which supplies pictures a extra pure, hand-drawn look.
Genmoji simply may be essentially the most anticipated function out of every part Apple has introduced. It helps you to generate emojis straight from the keyboard with textual content prompts. It’s also possible to pull an individual’s picture out of your Images library to make an emoji based mostly on their seems to be. You will have to supply an outline first, however then you possibly can modify 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. Along with your finger or Apple Pencil, you possibly can circle a sketch to have Apple Intelligence create one thing that appears extra refined, however you can even circle an area, and it’ll generate a picture based mostly 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 getting into an outline like “All of the desserts I ate through the summer season final 12 months, set to a pop track,” and Apple’s AI will discover the correct pictures and video, put them to a track, and craft a shareable film out of it. It will 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 possibly can erase undesirable objects within the background of your pictures with the brand new Clear Up device within the picture 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 may be used essentially the most typically, and it entails Siri. The assistant has a brand new look—when activated, the perimeters of the display screen will glow—and now you can kind 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
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