Apple releases iOS 18 for iPhones, without Apple Intelligence

Apple on Monday released iOS 18, the latest version of its software for iPhones.

This is Apple’s biggest iPhone update of the year, but this rollout does not include the company’s upcoming artificial intelligence system, Apple Intelligence, which is the focus of Apple’s new ads. Apple Intelligence will be released to the public in a beta later this fall and will appear as part of separate software, Apple said.

The iOS 18 update will change the look and feel of the iPhone operating system. One of the standout features this year is the ability to change the color of the icons on the home screen. In general, the new iPhone interface will offer numerous customization options.

In addition, many of Apple’s apps have been redesigned or updated. In particular, Apple’s Messages app is gaining the ability to send RCS messages, which transforms SMS text messages – known to some iPhone users as green bubbles – into a more modern experience with better photo quality and typing indicators.

The update is available for all iPhones released in 2018 or later. You can download it under Settings > General > Software Update.

• Users can now move icons anywhere on the home screen. For example, it is now possible to place our apps exclusively on the edge of the screen or add a single app to the center of the screen.
• Users can change the appearance of app icons to either dark mode or a preferred color.
• Apple has expanded its Control Center menu to include additional pages of shortcuts and options.
• The Messages app can now bold or italicize text, and users can now respond to messages with emojis instead of the previously available options, which included a question mark, exclamation point, heart, and thumbs up.
• Supported devices can send texts via satellite when Wi-Fi is not available.
• The update includes a new Apple app called “Passwords,” which can store and generate secure passwords.