iOS 18 makes the iPhone more personal, capable, and intelligent than ever before.

 The release introduces brand-new customization options, the most significant redesign of Photos to date, powerful updates for staying connected, and Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system.

CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA — Apple has unveiled iOS 18, a significant update that brings enhanced customization, a major overhaul of the Photos app, new inbox management tools in Mail, and Messages over satellite. Users can now freely arrange apps and widgets on the Home Screen, customize Lock Screen buttons, and access more controls in Control Center. The Photos app features a unified view and new collections for easy access. Mail intelligently sorts emails into categories, and iMessage introduces new text effects. Additionally, users can now send messages via satellite when cellular or Wi-Fi connections are unavailable.

iOS 18 also debuts Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system for iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It uses generative models and personal context to enhance user experience with privacy at its core. Apple Intelligence powers language and image understanding, facilitating actions across apps.

Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of Software Engineering, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18, a release with incredible features, new levels of customization, and a redesigned Photos app. This release marks a new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence, delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can’t wait for users to experience it."

New Levels of Customization and Capability

iPhone users can now arrange apps and widgets in any open space on the Home Screen, apply dark or tinted effects, and adjust the size of icons and widgets. The redesigned Control Center provides quick access to new groups of controls, such as media playback and connectivity, and supports third-party app controls. The Lock Screen controls can be customized or removed entirely.

Photos Gets a Unified View, New Collections, and Customization

The Photos app now offers a simplified view with new collections for easier browsing. Users can pin favorites and view highlights in a new carousel, with autoplaying content bringing libraries to life. The app is customizable to suit individual needs.

Powerful Ways to Stay Connected in Messages

iMessage introduces animated text effects and expanded formatting options. Tapbacks now include any emoji or sticker, and messages can be scheduled for later. The app also supports RCS for richer media and more reliable group messaging. Messages via satellite allow users to send texts and emoji when cellular or Wi-Fi connections are unavailable, with end-to-end encryption for iMessages.

Enhancements to Mail

Mail will soon offer on-device categorization, sorting emails into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. A new digest view consolidates emails from businesses for quick scanning.

Big Updates to Safari

Safari now includes Highlights and a redesigned Reader experience, surfacing key information and offering distraction-free article summaries. The new Passwords app consolidates passwords, passkeys, and verification codes, with alerts for weak or compromised passwords.

New Privacy Features Designed to Empower Users

iOS 18 introduces tools to manage app visibility, contact sharing, and accessory connections. Users can lock and hide apps, ensuring private information remains unseen. Specific contacts can be shared with apps, and third-party accessories can connect without exposing other devices on the network.

Apple Intelligence Transforms the iPhone Experience

Deeply integrated into iOS 18, Apple Intelligence enhances writing and communication with systemwide Writing Tools, Image Playground for creating playful images, and a new Clean Up tool in Photos. Siri becomes more natural and contextually relevant, and Private Cloud Compute ensures data privacy.

Additional features include improvements to Apple Maps, Game Mode, new payment options with Apple Pay, SharePlay for Apple Music, and personalized AirPods interactions. The Notes app introduces instant equation solving and highlighting, while the Journal app adds an insights view and a new widget. Calendar now integrates with Reminders, and the Health app offers enhanced Medical ID and pregnancy data insights. Emergency SOS Live Video and guest access in the Home app provide more safety and convenience. Accessibility updates include Eye Tracking, Music Haptics, and Vocal Shortcuts.