Unlock iOS 18’s Best Features to Boost Your iPhone Experience

As September approaches, anticipation builds for the upcoming iPhone 17 while many users are still exploring iOS 18.6. This update addresses critical bug fixes and security updates, ensuring your device runs smoothly. Notably, several users remain unaware of the powerful features available, from a revamped Control Center to enhanced notification priorities.

After reviewing this latest update, I found ten settings that can significantly enhance your iPhone experience. These range from simple quality-of-life tweaks to advanced privacy settings that reduce background drain. You don’t need to be a tech wizard to implement these changes; most can be completed in under a minute, bringing immediate relief to a sluggish device.

For further insights into the impressive suite of features in iOS 18, consider improvements to the Calculator and Mail apps. Remember to back up your device before making the switch!

Turn Off Categories in the Mail App

With email management being a personal journey for each user, the updated Mail app now sorts messages into categories like Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions. While this can be convenient for some, others may find traditional chronological sorting more effective.

You can easily address this by either:

• If categories are somewhat useful, simply swipe to the right and select All Mail for a unified view.

• To disable categories entirely, tap the three-dot menu (…) in the upper-right corner and select List View.

Change the Default Buttons on the Lock Screen

The bottom corners of the iPhone lock screen are prime real estate, previously limited to the flashlight and camera buttons. With iOS 18, you can now customize these buttons, adding functions like Shazam, Dark Mode, or Wallet access.

Here’s how to customize them:

1. Long-press on the lock screen until you see Customize. Unlock your device to proceed.

2. Select Lock Screen.

3. Remove a button by tapping the – icon.

4. To add a new function, tap its space and choose your desired option.

5. Repeat for any other buttons you’d like to modify, then tap Done to save your changes.

Get Important Alerts Using Prioritize Notifications

iOS 18.4 introduced an AI feature called Prioritize Notifications, which learns which alerts matter most to you. This helps filter out junk, ensuring that texts from contacts rise above random spam.

To enable this, go to Settings > Notifications, and under Apple Intelligence, tap Prioritize Notifications. You can fine-tune settings for individual apps as well.

Set Up New Tasks on the Action Button

For users of the iPhone 15 Pro and above, the Action button replaces the traditional mute switch, offering customizable functionality. With the release of iOS 18, it’s better than ever, now enabling quick access to settings outside of the Control Center.

To reconfigure the Action button, go to Settings > Action Button and select your desired functionality from the available actions.

Give Your Home Screen a Radical New Look

iOS 18 ushers in a new era of customizability for app icons on the home screen. Users can now place icons more freely, allowing for personal design that embraces aesthetics alongside functionality.

To rearrange apps, enter “jiggle mode” by long-pressing the home screen, then drag icons as desired. You can also modify compatible apps into widgets for enriched features, like displaying a real-time map.

Dark mode has also been expanded to include the home screen. To enable it, hold the home screen, tap Edit, and select your preferred mode (Automatic, Dark, or Light).

Change Up How the Control Center Looks

Control Center customization reaches new heights in iOS 18. Users can rearrange controls, resize them for additional information, and even introduce new controls across multiple screens.

Access the Control Center and enter edit mode by holding the controls or tapping the + button. Adjust controls to fit your needs and add new options like Screen Recording or accessibility tools.

Lock or Hide Any of Your Sensitive Apps

For privacy-conscious users, iOS 18 allows for locking and hiding apps. Simply long-press the app icon and select Require Face ID for an added layer of security.

To completely hide an app, choose Hide and Require Face ID, which will move it to a special locked folder in your App Library.

Turn Off Loop Videos in the Photos App

If you find auto-looping videos in the Photos app annoying, you can easily disable this feature. Navigate to Settings > Photos to toggle off Loop Videos.

A further option to prevent auto-play is available through the Auto-Play Motion feature.

Adjust the View of Your Calendar

New features in the Calendar app enhance usability. iOS 18 introduces a Multi Day view for easier scheduling and a pinch-to-zoom functionality that reveals event details directly in Month view, without the need for landscape orientation.

By tapping the View button in the Single Day view, you can switch to the new Multi Day layout.

Improve Movie and TV Show Dialogue in the TV App

For those who struggle to hear dialogue while watching shows, iOS 18 offers an Enhance Dialogue audio feature in the TV app. Access it by selecting the More options while watching a video.

The adjustments help mitigate background noise, improving overall audio quality for a more enjoyable viewing experience.

These features represent just a glimpse of what iOS 18 has to offer. As users continue to discover the improvements and adjustments, it becomes clear how these updates collectively enhance the iPhone experience.