Apple has released a beta version of iOS 18, its latest operating system for iPhones and other devices, to some consumers and developers to test. The new OS includes more customization features and a redesigned Photos app.
Monday’s preview gives the public a peek at the software ahead of its official release this fall, but those testing it won’t immediately have access to all of the features they’re hoping for, including the company’s AI capabilities, known as Apple Intelligence. Featured last month At the World Developers Conference.
To access the iOS 18 beta software, you must first Apple Beta Software ProgramNext, go to your device’s “Settings” and from there, click on “General.” After that, click on “Software Update” to download the beta program.
One important issue to note is that the beta program is still in development, so early adopters may encounter bugs and glitches.
Here are five new features in iOS 18 available in the beta.
Customize your home screen
Currently, iPhone users can customize their home screen with a variety of wallpapers, including their own photos. However, apps on the home screen can sometimes obscure these photos. In iOS 18, you can move apps to the top, side, or bottom of the screen, or just above the dock, to make your wallpaper photo easier to see.
You can also change the color of your app icons and adjust the tint.
“There are a lot of possibilities for how you can customize your home screen,” says Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering. Said At Apple’s WWDC 24.
The new operating system also brings greater customizability to the iPhone’s Control Center.
For example, users can swipe down from the top-right corner of their device screen to reveal different types of controls in one continuous motion or to enlarge the control buttons they use most frequently.
Hide apps from others
Don’t want your friends to know you’re using an app to track hair loss? New privacy features allow you to effectively hide certain apps when you hand over your phone to show them photos.
You can lock an app to prevent others from accessing its data and content, or hide the app completely from your home screen with a locked hidden apps folder.
Tap back on text with emoji
Currently, iPhone users can respond to texts by tapping and holding them and reacting with a handful of icons like a thumbs up or heart shape. iOS 18 will bring more options for so-called “tapbacks” and allow users to use emojis and stickers as reactions.
And just like you can schedule emails to be sent on specific days and times, you can also schedule messages, such as birthday wishes, to be sent on a date of your choosing.
You can also bold, italicize, strikethrough, or underline text in your message to draw the recipient’s attention to specific words.
iOS 18 will also enable satellite messaging, allowing iPhone users to send messages even when there is no Wi-Fi or cellular service.
A cleaner inbox
The Mail app is also getting a new feature, categorizing users’ emails into four sections.
- Primary Inbox
- Transaction inbox for receipts and order confirmations
- Newsletter and social media notifications section
- Promotions tab for marketing and sales emails
Redesigned Photos app
Apple is also touting an overhaul of its Photos app, giving users a single view into their photos, with a photo grid at the top of the screen and libraries organized by theme — like People, Favorite Memories, and Travel — at the bottom.
The new Photos app also lets you filter screenshots so they don’t appear.
