iOS 18 and iPadOS 18: Key features and complete list of eligible devices (2024)

Here are some of the most prominent features of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, coming to your iPhone and iPad this fall:

New customisation options

iOS 18 allows users to change the app icon colour. (Image credit: Apple)

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates are empowering users with more customisation features, including the ability to change the icon colour to match the wallpaper, and, for the first time, users can customise the Control Center by adding or removing specific shortcuts. Besides, Apple is also introducing a new tinted effect for iPhones, which will get activated in dark mode, along with the ability to resize app icons.

Besides the new customisation capability on the Control Center, Apple has also integrated music playback and Home control, which can be accessed with a simple swipe, along with the ability to add shortcuts from supported third-party apps directly to the Control Center.

On top of that, for the first time on iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, users can switch the controls at the bottom of the lock screen, which are usually the camera and flashlight, to a shortcut of their choice, which could also be an app.

Private apps, game mode, and more

Users can now lock first-party and select third-party apps using Face ID or Touch ID, and users can also hide apps from the home screen and app library. iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 also gain a new gaming mode, and, when paired with AirPods Pro, users can experience Spatial Audio while playing select games.

The iOS 18 update also introduces new accessibility features such as Eye Tracking, enabling users to control the iPhone with just eye movement, and Music Haptics.

Photos app gets a much-needed update

Apple is also introducing an improved Photos app with the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 update, where it now offers a simplified view of pictures and videos, showcases highlights for each day, and photos can be categorised by people and pets.

Messages gain RCS capability

The iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 add native RCS capabilities to Messages, allowing users to enjoy a rich messaging experience with Android smartphone users, although the messages received from Android smartphones will continue to remain green.

Besides, Messages also gain new text effects, and users can now schedule a message. In select markets, iOS 18 also introduces Messages via satellite when there is no cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity, where one can send and receive texts, emojis, and Tapbacks over iMessage and SMS.

Apps like Mail and Safari also gained new features, which include more private web browsing. On top of that, Apple also introduced a new Passwords app, which can store passwords and can be used to authenticate across devices.

iPad gets a calculator app

iPadOS 18 will introduce a native Calculator app. (Image credit: Apple)

iPadOS 18 is also introducing a first-party calculator app with scientific calculation capability, which supports Apple Pencil input, and, just like writing on paper, one can write a complex math equation, and the calculator would solve it in real time.

iPadOS 18 eligible devices

iPadOS 18 will be available for the 7th Gen iPad to the latest iPad Pro M4. However, Apple Intelligence features will only be coming to the iPad Air and iPad Pro models, powered by the Apple Silicon M series chips.

iOS 18 eligible devices

The iPhone SE 2 and the iPhone XR are some of the oldest iPhones that are eligible for the iOS 18 update, while only the iPhone 15 Pro and the iPhone 15 Pro Max are eligible for Apple Intelligence features.