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iOS 18 was released on September 16, 2024 as a free update for iPhone XR and XS models and later, plus iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later. It brought more Home Screen and Control Center customization, a redesigned Photos app, new Messages tools, app locking and hiding, and the foundation for Apple Intelligence. The key caveat: Apple Intelligence is limited to newer iPhones, and features also vary by software version, language, region, and carrier.
Apple’s update history lists iOS 18.6 with bug fixes, security updates, and a fix for sharing Photos memory movies. iOS 18 is a previous major release, not an upcoming update; check Software Update for the latest version compatible with your phone.
iOS 18 at a glance
| Public release | September 16, 2024 |
|---|---|
| First announced | June 10, 2024 |
| Compatible iPhones | iPhone XR/XS and later; iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later |
| Apple Intelligence | iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models or later, with further software, storage, language, and regional requirements |
| Price | Free software update |
| Latest iOS 18 version in Apple’s update history | iOS 18.6 |
Apple previewed iOS 18 at its June 2024 developer conference and made it publicly available on September 16. Its headline changes were customization, privacy controls, and expanded communication and photo features. Apple Intelligence arrived later, beginning with iOS 18.1, rather than being included in the initial iOS 18.0 release. Apple’s launch announcement describes the release and its major features.
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More flexible Home Screen customization
You can position app icons and widgets in open spaces instead of having every row fill from the top left. iOS 18 also adds light, dark, and tinted icon appearances, plus larger icons and widgets. This makes it easier to leave wallpaper visible, group controls around how you use the phone, or make a page feel less crowded.
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A redesigned Control Center
Control Center can contain multiple groups or pages of controls. A controls gallery lets you add supported controls, then rearrange or resize them. Supported third-party apps can provide controls too. You can also replace the flashlight and camera shortcuts on the Lock Screen; on iPhones with an Action button, that button offers another way to access a chosen function. Available controls depend on the iPhone, installed apps, and region.
A new way to browse Photos
Apple redesigned Photos around a unified library and collections that organize content such as recent items, people, trips, and memories. The new layout can take some getting used to, but it is separate from Apple Intelligence: the basic redesign is not itself an AI feature. Tools such as Clean Up, natural-language photo search, and custom Memories movies have additional device and software requirements.
Messages: effects, scheduling, RCS, and satellite
Messages gained text effects and formatting, additional Tapback reactions, and the ability to schedule a message to send later. iOS 18 also added RCS support for conversations with compatible Android phones, subject to carrier and regional support. RCS improves some cross-platform messaging capabilities; it does not make every conversation equivalent to iMessage.
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On supported devices and in supported locations, Messages can also use satellite connectivity when both cellular and Wi-Fi service are unavailable. Satellite messaging is not a universal replacement for mobile service: availability depends on the iPhone, country or region, service terms, and conditions such as having a clear view of the sky.
Lock or hide apps and limit contact access
You can require Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode to open eligible apps. You can also hide eligible apps in a locked hidden-apps folder. Locking or hiding helps keep app content from appearing in places such as search and notifications, but it is not a substitute for securing the iPhone itself. iOS 18 also lets users share selected contacts with an app instead of granting access to their entire address book. These controls can be useful on shared devices or for sensitive finance, health, and travel apps. Apple outlines the privacy changes in its iOS 18 announcement.
Passwords, Mail, and Game Mode
The new Passwords app gives saved passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi credentials, and verification codes a dedicated place. It is the user-facing app for credentials that can sync through Apple’s account and iCloud infrastructure; it does not mean passwords are stored only in a separate, independent service.
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Mail can sort messages into categories such as Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. Automated sorting may not suit every inbox, so use a list view or manual filtering if messages are categorized incorrectly. Game Mode prioritizes system resources and reduces latency for supported games and accessories; it is designed to activate automatically when you play rather than act as a general performance toggle for every app.
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iOS 18 also adds improvements to Journal, Maps, Wallet, Notes, and Calendar. Examples include Journal search and logging tools, topographic maps and trail information where available, region-dependent Wallet features such as Tap to Cash, Math Notes, and closer event and reminder integration. Later updates added audio recording and related transcription features in Notes and Phone on supported devices and software versions.
Apple Intelligence: what it does and who gets it
Apple Intelligence is a collection of features integrated into iOS, not a standalone app. Depending on the device, language, region, and release installed, it can include Writing Tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing; notification and message summaries; a more capable Siri and typed requests; Clean Up and natural-language search in Photos; custom Memories movies; Genmoji; Image Playground; visual intelligence; and optional ChatGPT integration.
The first Apple Intelligence features arrived with iOS 18.1 in October 2024. Apple’s launch announcement describes that first wave and the privacy design. Some processing happens on device; some requests may use Apple’s Private Cloud Compute. It would be inaccurate to describe the entire feature set as offline or fully on-device.
ChatGPT integration is optional. If you connect an account or choose to use the integration, OpenAI’s data-use terms apply to that interaction. Review the prompt and account choices before sharing sensitive information.
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Apple Intelligence compatibility and requirements
| Capability | Requirement or qualification |
|---|---|
| iOS 18 generally | iPhone XR/XS and later, or iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later |
| Apple Intelligence | iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models or later |
| Software | iOS 18.1 or later for the first Apple Intelligence features; individual features may require later releases |
| Storage | Apple lists approximately 7 GB of available device storage for Apple Intelligence |
| Language and location | Device and Siri languages must match and be supported; individual features and regions differ |
| Visual intelligence | Some features require an iPhone 16 model and Camera Control |
Apple’s Apple Intelligence requirements page covers supported hardware, languages, storage, and regional limits. Availability has specific restrictions, including for supported devices purchased in mainland China and certain devices used there with a mainland China Apple Account region. In the EU, rollout conditions have also differed. Check Apple’s current requirements for your location rather than assuming that a compatible phone guarantees access.
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If Apple Intelligence is missing, first confirm the phone model and software version, then check free storage and ensure the device and Siri are set to the same supported language. Models may need time to download. Changing Siri’s language can temporarily make Apple Intelligence unavailable while the matching language downloads.
Which iPhones support iOS 18?
Apple’s compatibility list reaches back to the iPhone XR/XS generation and the second-generation iPhone SE. Apple’s compatibility page is the reference for the complete list.
| Family | Compatible models |
|---|---|
| iPhone XR and XS | iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max |
| iPhone 11 | iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max |
| iPhone SE | iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone SE (3rd generation) |
| iPhone 12 | iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max |
| iPhone 13 | iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max |
| iPhone 14 | iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max |
| iPhone 15 | iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max |
| iPhone 16 | iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max |
Being able to install iOS 18 does not mean every feature is available. For example, iPhone 11, iPhone 14, and the standard iPhone 15 can run iOS 18 but do not meet Apple’s iOS 18-era Apple Intelligence hardware requirement. Camera Control is specific to iPhone 16 models, and satellite and communications features have additional service, carrier, and location requirements.
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Not every feature associated with iOS 18 was present at launch. Apple added features across later point releases; its iOS 18 update history records the changes.
| Version | Notable additions or changes |
|---|---|
| iOS 18.0 | Home Screen and Control Center customization, Photos redesign, app locking and hiding, Messages changes, and other core features. |
| iOS 18.1 | First Apple Intelligence features, plus call recording with an automatic participant announcement and related transcription features; additional Camera Control changes and spatial photo capture on supported models. |
| iOS 18.2 | Genmoji, Image Playground, typed Siri, ChatGPT integration, and additional Mail, Camera Control, and Photos changes. |
| iOS 18.3 | Visual Intelligence additions such as identifying plants and animals and adding calendar events from posters or flyers. Apple also changed notification-summary behavior and temporarily disabled summaries for News and Entertainment apps. |
| iOS 18.4 | Eight new emoji, a Sketch style in Image Playground, additional Apple Intelligence languages and English locales, priority notifications, and Photos organization and filtering changes. |
| iOS 18.5 | Pride Harmony Lock Screen wallpaper, Screen Time passcode notifications for parents, and other changes and fixes. It also added support for satellite features from network providers on iPhone 13 models, subject to carrier availability. |
| iOS 18.6 | Bug fixes and security updates, including a fix for an issue that could prevent sharing Photos memory movies. |
This timeline distinguishes the original release from later additions. For example, Genmoji and ChatGPT integration are not iOS 18.0 launch features.
How to check your version and install an update
- To check the installed version, open Settings > General > About and look at iOS Version.
- Before installing, make a backup. Apple recommends backing up before downloading new software.
- Connect the iPhone to Wi-Fi and power, then open Settings > General > Software Update.
- Install the compatible update shown on screen and follow the prompts. The phone may restart.
Automatic updates are available under Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. The update offered depends on the device and Apple’s current release availability; do not assume that every phone will show the same version.
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If no update appears or installation stalls
- Confirm the model is compatible and check whether the phone is already running a newer major iOS version.
- Check available storage. Remove or offload large apps and downloaded media if needed.
- Connect to reliable Wi-Fi and power, restart the iPhone, and check Software Update again.
- If the update still fails, use Finder on a Mac or the Apple Devices app on a PC to update the phone.
- A work or school management profile may restrict updates. Contact the organization’s administrator rather than removing management controls yourself.
Do not install beta software just to obtain features already available in a stable release. Beta software can have bugs and may disrupt apps you rely on.
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If your iPhone is offered an iOS 18 update and you are not constrained by an organization’s update policy, there are strong reasons to install it: security and bug fixes, new privacy controls, expanded customization, and app improvements. Apple says its iOS 18 updates improve stability, performance, or compatibility and recommends them for users. See Apple’s enterprise update guidance for the update context, including managed-device considerations.
Prepare first if storage is tight, especially if you want Apple Intelligence, which needs about 7 GB of device storage. On older phones, performance and battery behavior can differ by model and software version; there is no sound basis for promising a specific improvement or decline across all devices. The Photos layout and automated Mail or notification sorting may also take adjustment, and you can change or disable features you do not find useful.
Review app permissions after a major update, particularly Contacts, Photos, Bluetooth, microphone, and location access. App locking improves local privacy, but Apple Intelligence is not entirely on-device. If you use optional ChatGPT integration, consider its separate data-use implications. Call recording also announces itself to participants.
You do not need to buy a new iPhone merely to get iOS 18’s core redesign and features. A hardware upgrade is relevant if Apple Intelligence is important to you and your current phone is not an eligible model; it is not required just to install iOS 18 on a supported iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iOS 18 free?
Yes. iOS 18 is a free software update for compatible iPhones.
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Can an iPhone 11 run iOS 18?
Yes. The iPhone 11 family is compatible with iOS 18, but those models do not support Apple Intelligence.
Can an iPhone 14 use Apple Intelligence?
No. iOS 18-era Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, or iPhone 16 model or later.
Does iOS 18 support RCS?
Yes, for compatible carriers and regions. RCS support and its capabilities are not universal.
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Does iOS 18 include ChatGPT?
ChatGPT integration was added in iOS 18.2 as an optional Apple Intelligence feature, and it requires a supported iPhone. Connecting an account or using the integration involves OpenAI’s data-use terms.
How do I lock or hide an app in iOS 18?
Touch and hold an eligible app icon, then choose the option to require Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode. Eligible apps can also be hidden in the locked Hidden folder.
Why can’t I see Apple Intelligence?
Check that you have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or an iPhone 16 model or later; iOS 18.1 or newer; about 7 GB of free storage; and matching device and Siri languages that are supported in your region. The on-device models may still be downloading.
Should I replace my iPhone to get iOS 18?
Not for iOS 18 itself if your iPhone is compatible. Consider replacing it only if you need capabilities it cannot support, such as Apple Intelligence, and the feature is available in your region.
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