Apple executives all the time describe new {hardware} and software program because the “greatest” or “largest” ever, however the supply doesn’t often dwell as much as the hype (see final 12 months’s iPads). Nonetheless, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 is likely to be deserving of some of these adjectives. The most recent model of the working system has the standard diploma of year-over-year quality-of-life enhancements, however Apple Intelligence steals the limelight.
That is Apple’s implementation of artificial-intelligence-powered duties which have been sweeping by means of the tech trade over the previous few years. Even Siri acquired an improve, although we’re nonetheless ready for lots of the promised options to reach. Listed below are all the brand new iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 options, the best way to obtain the present model, and what precisely you’ll expertise with Apple Intelligence.
Desk of Contents
Up to date Might 2025: We have added particulars about iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5.
Is Your iPhone or iPad Suitable?
Excellent news! Each iPhone that was able to putting in iOS 17 can run iOS 18. Apple didn’t drop any iPhones from the record of supported units. When you have the iPhone XR and iPhone XS from 2018 or newer (together with the second- and third-gen iPhone SE), you possibly can obtain and run iOS 18. For those who’re not sure what mannequin iPhone you’ve got, head to the Settings app, faucet on Common > About and have a look at the Mannequin Identify. This does not imply each characteristic is on the market, as some require extra fashionable processors. (Apple Intelligence, for instance, is unique to the iPhone 15 Professional and iPhone 16 fashions; extra on this under.)
It’s a bit of extra difficult for iPads, for the reason that naming scheme is determined by the {hardware} era slightly than particular machine names. Listed below are the generations that help iPadOS 18 (not like iPhones, some iPads are not supported). You may determine which mannequin you’ve got by following the instructions right here.
- iPad: seventh gen and later
- iPad Mini: fifth gen and later
- iPad Air: third gen and later (together with M2 and M3)
- iPad Professional 11-inch: 1st gen and later
- iPad Professional 12.9-inch: third gen and later (together with M4)
Try our Finest iPhones and Finest iPads guides to be taught extra about present fashions.
Earlier than putting in the brand new working system, I extremely suggest you again up your units. You are able to do this by way of iCloud—go to Settings, faucet in your title on the high, and choose iCloud. Then, faucet on iCloud Backup, toggle it on, and faucet Again Up Now to begin a brand new backup. On the earlier iCloud web page, you even have the choice to toggle off sure apps that you do not wish to embody within the backup. Do not have sufficient iCloud storage, or wish to use one other technique? Try our Easy methods to Again Up Your iPhone or iPad information for various choices.
As soon as you’ve got backed up, you are prepared to put in iOS 18. Since it is a hefty replace, it is best to plug your units right into a charger and guarantee they’re linked to Wi-Fi earlier than the replace begins. Now go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace. You may see the choice to obtain the replace. Faucet Obtain and Set up and, when the obtain is completed, faucet Set up Now to begin the replace. You’ll know the replace is full when your machine restarts.
New iOS/iPadOS 18 Model Updates
All the highest options in iOS and iPadOS 18 are highlighted under, however Apple continues to launch further updates all year long. These embody new options unavailable at launch, bug fixes, and safety patches. To replace your iPhone, go to Settings > Common > Software program Replace and comply with the directions above.
iOS/iPadOS 18.5: This replace contains help for satellite tv for pc options on all iPhone 13 fashions, Display screen Time passcode notifications, “Purchase with iPhone” on the Apple TV app by way of a third-party machine, and CarPlay Extremely (beginning with Aston Martin automobiles).
iOS/iPadOS 18.4: This replace contains Precedence Notifications inside Apple Intelligence, Visible Intelligence for the iPhone 15 Professional, a stand-alone Imaginative and prescient Professional app, new Emoji, Sketch mode in Picture Playground, recipes in Apple Information+, new group options within the Images app, preauthorized funds in Apple Pockets, lossless audio with AirPods Max, and entry to Apple Intelligence options within the Management Heart.
iOS/iPadOS 18.3: This replace contains improved notification summaries, upgrades to Visible Intelligence for iPhone 16 fashions, and a minor characteristic added to the Calculator app. Apple Intelligence is now enabled by default (although you can flip it off).
iOS/iPadOS 18.2: This replace introduced Genmoji, Picture Playground, Picture Wand, ChatGPT in Siri, Visible Intelligence, AirTag shared location monitoring in Discover My, new Mail app options, and new settings for Digicam Management. Additionally, Writing Instruments will get a elevate from ChatGPT too, with the flexibility to compose messages. There isn’t any want to affix a waitlist anymore to benefit from Apple Intelligence.
iOS/iPadOS 18.1: Apple formally launched Apple Intelligence on this model. Initially, you needed to head to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri > Be part of the Waitlist to enroll. The ready record took just a few hours; Apple stated it was to make sure there’s adequate server capability. Apple Intelligence launched with the next good options: Writing Instruments, Reminiscence Films and Clear Up in Apple Images, Precedence Messages in Mail, Sensible Reply in Messages, Summaries for Transcriptions and Name recordings in Notes, Notification Summaries, and the brand new Cut back Interruptions Focus.
What Is Apple Intelligence?
Each main tech firm has been integrating synthetic intelligence into its {hardware} and software program, from Google and Samsung to Microsoft. Apple Intelligence is Apple’s model, and it is the time period you will see the corporate throw round over the following few years; it powers lots of the new AI options in its units.
It is powered by Apple’s giant language fashions (partly skilled by means of information from the general public net, in response to Axios’ Ina Fried). It requires Apple silicon, the corporate’s bespoke chips which have a hybrid structure designed to run AI duties. Although the units Apple Intelligence runs on are able to the on-device processing wanted to finish AI duties, generally the duty is simply too massive and must be despatched off to the cloud. When a activity requires extra processing, it’s going to be despatched to a safe information middle stacked with computer systems that additionally run Apple silicon. Whereas this technique of computing is usually much less personal, Apple claims that its Non-public Cloud Compute platform focuses on making certain information privateness for every person. Solely information related to your question is shipped to those servers, and the info is barely used to your requests and by no means saved.
Apple Intelligence Suitable Units
Earlier than you get too excited, Apple Intelligence is just not accessible for each machine that helps iOS 18. It is solely supported on choose processors (and languages).
What precisely is Apple Intelligence? Apple breaks down its key capabilities into three buckets: Language, Photos, and Motion.
Apple Intelligence: Language
All through Apple’s {hardware} and software program, you will discover new writing instruments that draw on the ability of generative AI to help your writing. This contains Rewrite, which may also help change the tone of your textual content to sound extra pleasant or extra skilled (like in an e mail), and Proofread, which roughly does what the title suggests. You may also summarize chosen textual content with a faucet.
These text-based enhancements transcend writing. It additionally powers Precedence notifications, which seem on the high of your notification record and summarize it so that you get a extra digestible abstract at a look. You may flip the characteristic on by going to Settings > Notifications> Prioritize Notifications. Equally, the Mail app affords Precedence messages, which implies necessary emails will float to the highest of your inbox. You may also get summaries of lengthy emails, and a Sensible Reply perform permits you to shortly reply to emails (even solutions to a number of questions posed in an e mail), not not like what’s accessible in Gmail.
For now, nonetheless, Apple has paused notification summaries for information apps following a number of situations the place the characteristic didn’t summarize articles precisely. Notifications summarized by Apple Intelligence will now seem as italicized textual content.
Within the Notes, Voice Memos, and Telephone app, you possibly can hit the report button (sure, even on a name) to get an audio recording with a transcript, and Apple Intelligence can create a abstract of that transcript. Apple says that in states that require two-party consent for recordings, the individual on the opposite finish of the road will probably be made conscious that the decision is being recorded.
Lastly, there is a new Focus mode referred to as Cut back Interruptions that may perceive your private context, so whereas it hides incoming stuff that might distract you, it is aware of sufficient about what you’ve got acquired happening to permit a textual content out of your babysitter to return by means of.
Apple Intelligence: Photos
The Apple Intelligence picture options largely revolve round producing new photographs by means of synthetic intelligence. A lot of this occurs in Picture Playground, an expertise baked into different apps (although it additionally exists as a stand-alone app). You may generate photographs primarily based on an outline, advised ideas, and even from individuals in your Images library. You might have management over the type, and it may be tweaked to match no matter’s taking place within the app you are utilizing it in. You may also select between completely different kinds, together with Illustration, Animation, and (most just lately) Sketch, which supplies photographs a extra pure, hand-drawn look.
Genmoji simply is likely to be essentially the most anticipated characteristic out of all the things Apple has introduced. It permits you to generate emojis straight from the keyboard with textual content prompts. You may also pull an individual’s photograph out of your Images library to make an emoji primarily based on their seems to be. You may have to supply an outline first, however then you possibly can regulate the outline till it fits what you’re going for.
Picture Wand is one other picture era system that works particularly within the Notes app. Together with your finger or Apple Pencil, you possibly can circle a sketch to have Apple Intelligence create one thing that appears extra refined, however you too can circle an area, and it’ll generate a picture primarily based on the encircling textual content. It is a straightforward manner so as to add extra visible selection to your notes.
The Images app is getting just a few AI options. You may make a Reminiscence Film by coming into an outline like “All of the desserts I ate in the course of the summer season final 12 months, set to a pop tune,” and Apple’s AI will discover the best photographs and video, put them to a tune, and craft a shareable film out of it. It’s going to even be simpler to seek for particular pictures—simply describe what you need and it will discover it, even moments in video clips (just like Google’s Ask Images characteristic). Lastly, you possibly can erase undesirable objects within the background of your pictures with the brand new Clear Up software within the photograph editor, precisely like Magic Eraser on Pixel telephones and Samsung’s Object Eraser.
Apple Intelligence: Motion
The ultimate a part of Apple Intelligence is arguably one which is likely to be used essentially the most typically, and it includes Siri. The assistant has a brand new look—when activated, the sides of the display screen will glow—and now you can sort your requests to Siri as an alternative of utilizing your voice (one thing you’ve got been in a position to do with Google Assistant for a number of years).
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{Photograph}: Julian Chokkattu
