Now that iOS 18 is out in the wild, you may wonder how to use all those handy new features you’ve heard about.
These include scheduling messages, locking apps behind FaceID, changing the colours and size of your apps, and more.
Don’t expect Apple to hold your hand through the new upgrades; you’re on your own to work them out.
What about Apple Intelligence? That’s not out until October and won’t work on all but the most recent iPhones (and last year’s Pro models). But, who needs AI when you can change the beam on the flashlight?
These are the biggest new iOS 18 perks you need to know — and a simple step-by-step guide on using them. Once you get your head around these tricks, you’ll feel like a true Apple Genius.
How to download iOS 18
Of course, you need iOS 18 to use these new features. The software update landed on September 16 for iPhone models dating back to XS and XR.
By now, you should have received a notification to download it. But, in case you haven’t, here’s how to get it:
Head to the Settings area, then select General. Tap Software Update and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install iOS 18.
How to schedule messages to send later
There are plenty of reasons you may want to set messages to send later. Maybe you’re playing coy with a crush, messaging someone in a different time zone, or timing a heartfelt message for a friend’s birthday.
Before you start scheduling messages like a harried project manager, it’s important to note that the feature applies only to blue bubbles, not green ones. That means you can’t use it for SMS and RCS messages to Android users.
To use the new perk, open the messages app, tap the plus icon, then tap “send later”. Now, tap the time to open the scheduler and select when you want to send the message. Write your message and tap send.
The border of the message will now show a dashed line, with the scheduled time above it. Now, it will send at that time even if you’re offline.
You can also re-schedule the message by pressing edit next to the listed time. And, you can edit its contents or delete it by long-pressing the message and selecting the corresponding option.
How to change the colour and size of your app icons
Let’s get creative. Gone are the days when you had to put up with stiff grids for apps in their stodgy, branded colours. With iOS 18, you can inflate those rounded squares, change their shades, and place them wherever you want. Watching them switch from their default colours to a glowing red looks pretty cool in real-time, too.
Start by touching and holding the screen background until the apps jiggle. Select “edit” at the top left and then “customise” from the menu.
Now, you can use the self-explanatory controls to make the app icons bigger (removing their names in the process), choose a light or dark theme for apps and widgets, and change their colours by choosing “tinted” and using the slider. You can also hit the eyedropper icon to use a colour from your current wallpaper.
How to edit the control centre
Yet more customisation can be had by switching up the buttons in the control centre. With it, you can quickly launch a curated set of functions or cram more in than ever before.
Start by swiping down from the top right of the screen to bring up the control centre. Now, long press the display below the controls to start chopping, rearranging and changing them. You can delete existing controls (including the connectivity or music panels), tap on the blank circles to add new tools or move them around individually.
Low power mode, quick notes, and dark mode are all good ones to add. All told, there are more than 70 controls to choose from. If the main screen fills up, you can swipe up and down through the pages to add more, similar to how you would with apps.
How to change lock screen controls
You may never use the iPhone flashlight or your camera is mapped to the new-ish action button. Well, now you can change the default controls on the lock screen to those you need.
Start by tapping the side button to lock the screen, then tap and hold down anywhere on the screen, and select “customise”. Now, you can personalise either the lock screen or the home screen. Select the former, and delete the controls on either side of the display at the bottom.
Now, tap the blank circles and choose from the wealth of new options, including stopwatch, clock, connectivity controls, dark mode, and many more.
With the Shortcuts feature, you can add your saved tasks for even more adaptability, from generating reminders to quickly texting your mum.
How to adjust the flashlight’s beam and brightness
If you use the iPhone’s torch instead of accidentally switching it on all the time, this update is for you. You can now adjust the beam width and strength of the iPhone flashlight.
This can be done by opening the flashlight from the lock screen or the control centre. Now, you’ll see a new menu for the torch that lets you tweak its intensity and enlarge its beam by moving your finger up and down and side-to-side.
Alas, the new feature is supported on only the Pro iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 versions — and the upcoming iPhone 16 range.
How to mirror your iPhone on your Mac
Okay, this also requires installing the latest Mac software update, MacOS Sequoia. But, it’s worth it — mainly because it’s the easiest way to access your iPhone on your MacBook. You can control everything from a virtual iPhone on your desktop, from apps to settings, and more.
The only drawback is the view can’t be changed from vertical to horizontal. Still, it’s great for using your phone on the sly at work. Or, for quickly accessing notifications and replying to messages without frequently switching between your Mac and iPhone.
To get it working, ensure both devices are signed into the same Apple ID and have Bluetooth and WiFi enabled.
With the two devices near each other, open the iPhone Mirroring app on your Mac (it should be in the Dock). Click continue and unlock your iPhone when prompted. On your Mac, click "get started" and choose whether to authenticate automatically or be asked every time. Now, unlock the feature with your Mac password or Touch ID on the keyboard.
Once connected, you should be able to interact with the virtual iPhone using your mouse or trackpad. You can also click or use shortcuts including Cmd+1 for the home screen, Cmd+2 to open the app switcher, or Cmd+3 to open Spotlight Search. Audio from your iPhone will now play through your Mac speakers and the iPhone’s screen will display a “phone in use” message while mirroring.
How to use the new calculator
Apple has given the Calculator app a bumper upgrade with iOS 18. As a result, you can now use a convertor for currencies, angles, lengths, and more. You can also solve maths equations in notes by typing them out. Plus, the scientific calculator is now available in portrait mode.
All these new tricks can be accessed from the calculator button at the bottom left of the app. If you select “Math Notes,” you can start typing equations. Switching on conversion, meanwhile, will automatically default to currency conversions, though this can be changed to another metric by tapping the arrow icons next to the numbers.
How to lock apps behind Face ID
This is super easy to set up but may make you look like you have something to hide. Start thinking of a good excuse for when your partner inevitably asks why your Instagram is locked. If you’re worried, you could hide it altogether.
Setting up the new feature involves holding down the app you want to lock and selecting “require Face ID” from the pop-up menu. Now, the app will take a split second longer to open when you’ll see an alert saying Face ID is required to unlock it.
To disable the setting, long press the app again and select “don’t require Face ID”.
For added privacy, you can also hide apps on your home screen. To do so, long press the app you want to hide, tap “require Face ID,” and then “hide and require Face ID”. Now, the app will be available only by swiping to the end of your home screen in the app library and scrolling down to a hidden folder at the bottom (which can be accessed only with Face ID). You won’t find it by searching in Spotlight, while it will vanish from your home screen.
This trick doesn’t work for Apple’s apps that come pre-installed with iOS 18, only those downloaded from the App Store.
How to use the new Passwords app
With so many passwords to remember, anyone trying to stay sane has likely adopted one of two solutions: using a password manager or constantly checking saved passwords on their phone, laptop, or web browser.
Apple has introduced a new Passwords app with iOS 18 to make life easier. You’ll find it on your iPhone as soon as you install the latest software update, meaning you no longer have to consult your settings to view or manage your passwords.
You can also use it to share passwords with others in your contacts. Open the app, select “new group” under “shared groups” and start inviting people you know. Saved passwords are also in categories including security, WiFi, passkeys, and “all”.
A search bar at the top lets you quickly find them, while the plus icon at the bottom left allows you to add new ones manually, with the app suggesting a strong password to save you time.
How to use eye tracking to control your phone
Buried deep in your settings is a new accessibility control that lets you use your iPhone with your eyes. It’s aimed at people with visual impairment or low vision but anyone can theoretically use it.
However, when we tested it, it didn’t work as planned. First, you have to do a quick eye-scanning test, during which you direct your gaze at dots around the iPhone screen.
But, even after completing the setup, we found the movement was too sensitive and stopped working. That may have been because we didn’t have the iPhone at the appropriate distance from our faces (one metre). It also has to be laid on a flat surface.
Nevertheless, if you want to try it yourself, head into your settings, tap accessibility, and then choose “eye tracking” and turn it on. This will start the activation process including the test.
