iOS 18: TOP Features YOU HAVE TO KNOW!
iOS 18 Features You Must Know: Eye Tracking, Custom Control Center & More!
Discover the latest iOS 18 features, from eye tracking and customizable app icons to enhanced control center options and hidden apps. Explore these must-try updates for your iPhone.
iOS 18 is here, and it's packed with some of the most innovative updates ever seen on the iPhone. From mind-blowing eye-tracking technology to a highly customizable control center, this update pushes the boundaries of user experience. Whether you're into personalization, security, or cutting-edge accessibility, iOS 18 has something for everyone. Let’s dive into the top features you need to know about in this game-changing update.
1. Eye-Tracking: Control Your iPhone with Just Your Eyes
One of the most futuristic features introduced in iOS 18 is eye tracking. Yes, you can now control your iPhone just by looking at it! To activate this, simply go to:
- Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking
Once activated, your phone will guide you through a setup where it tracks your eye movements. Afterward, you can snap to items on the screen with your eyes, and select them with a blink or gaze. There’s even an option to turn off the “snap-to” feature, allowing a cursor to follow your eye movements instead. This hands-free interaction takes accessibility and convenience to a new level.
2. Music Haptics: Feel the Beat Like Never Before
Apple has introduced Music Haptics in iOS 18, enhancing your listening experience. Located under:
- Settings > Accessibility > Hearing > Music Haptics
Once activated, your iPhone will vibrate in sync with the beat of any song played on Apple Music. You can literally feel the rhythm in your hands as the iPhone responds to the beat of the music. Unfortunately, this feature is currently only available for Apple Music, so Spotify users will have to wait a bit longer.
3. Customizable Home Screen & App Icons
Customization just got a major boost in iOS 18! Now, you can completely reconfigure your home screen and app icons. You can tap and hold any app to:
- Drag it anywhere on the screen, instead of having apps snap to the top, allowing for more creative layouts.
- Resize app icons to make them smaller or larger depending on your preference.
- Change icon colors to almost any hue imaginable—whether you want minimalistic white or bold colors like orange or purple.
For those who like dark mode, iOS 18 even offers dark mode app icons, which darken the overall appearance while maintaining the core color schemes.
4. Enhanced Control Center: A New Level of Customization
The new Control Center in iOS 18 has undergone a major transformation. It now splits into different pages, including:
- A main page for core controls
- A media page for music and videos
- A home control page for smart devices
- A connectivity page for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
The best part? You can add your own pages and controls. Just tap the "+" icon in the top left and start customizing your control layout. You can resize control icons, rearrange pages, and even remove unnecessary control pages for a cleaner experience.
5. App Locking and Hiding with Face ID
For those who value privacy, iOS 18 allows you to lock and hide apps using Face ID or a passcode. To lock an app:
- Tap and hold any app, then select Require Face ID.
This feature adds an extra layer of security to sensitive apps like Photos or Messages. Additionally, you can hide apps downloaded from the App Store by selecting "Hide and Require Face ID" from the same menu. Hidden apps can be accessed later via a special hidden folder that requires Face ID to open.
6. Passwords App: Manage All Your Wi-Fi and App Passwords
iOS 18 introduces the new Passwords app, which serves as a hub for all your saved Wi-Fi and app credentials. Inside the app, you can:
- View passwords for any Wi-Fi network you’ve connected to.
- Save new passwords manually.
- Get alerts if any of your saved passwords have been compromised.
This app makes password management incredibly easy and secure, centralizing all your sensitive information in one place.
7. Vocal Shortcuts: Control Your iPhone with Your Voice
Another exciting accessibility feature is Vocal Shortcuts. With this, you can set up custom voice commands for various tasks, such as:
- Taking screenshots by saying, "Snappy Snap."
- Turning up the volume by saying, "Louder."
This hands-free control can be customized for almost any action, providing greater convenience and accessibility.
8. Advanced Flashlight Controls
The Flashlight function also got a significant upgrade in iOS 18. Now, you can adjust not just the brightness, but also the beam width by swiping left or right on the flashlight controls. This allows you to narrow or widen the beam based on your needs. The flashlight now also dims gradually when you turn it off, adding a subtle, refined touch.
9. Motion Cues for Vehicle Use
For those who experience motion sickness, iOS 18 introduces Vehicle Motion Cues under:
- Settings > Accessibility > Motion
This feature helps reduce motion sickness by displaying small visual cues on your screen when in a moving vehicle. It's designed to improve comfort while using your phone in cars, planes, or even on boats.
10. New Messaging Features: Reactions, Text Effects, and Send Later
iOS 18 makes texting more fun and functional with several new updates:
- Expanded emoji reactions allow for more expressive interactions.
- Text effects can be applied to specific words or entire messages, making your texts stand out.
- Send Later lets you schedule texts for specific times, perfect for sending birthday wishes or reminders.
11. Upgraded Calculator with Math Notes and Conversions
The Calculator app in iOS 18 has been upgraded with some fantastic new features. You can now:
- Solve complex equations by writing them out in a new "Math Notes" section.
- Use the new Conversion Calculator to instantly convert units like miles to kilometers or currencies with up-to-date exchange rates.
12. Redesigned Photos App with Enhanced Search and Collections
The Photos App has been revamped to make organizing and searching easier. You can:
- Search for specific photos by keywords like "monkey" or even time-based queries like "six months ago."
- Automatically group photos into categories like “People” and “Pets” for quick access.
Conclusion
iOS 18 brings a host of features that dramatically enhance the iPhone experience. Whether you're customizing your control center, locking your apps with Face ID, or enjoying the tactile feedback of music haptics, this update is packed with innovations that cater to every user. Make sure you try out these features to get the most out of your iPhone!
FAQs:
- How do I enable eye tracking on iOS 18?
Head to Settings > Accessibility > Eye Tracking and follow the setup prompts to start controlling your iPhone with your eyes. - Can I lock any app with Face ID?
Yes, you can lock any app, but only downloaded apps can be hidden from your home screen. - Does Music Haptics work with Spotify?
Currently, Music Haptics only works with Apple Music, but support for Spotify is expected in future updates. - How do I customize the Control Center in iOS 18?
You can add, resize, and rearrange controls by tapping the "+" icon and dragging controls to your preferred layout. - What’s new in the iOS 18 Calculator?
The Calculator now includes a “Math Notes” feature and a conversion tool for units and currencies.
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