Does your iPhone support iOS 18? Check out all the compatible models

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Apple’s latest iOS 18, unveiled on June 10 at WWDC 24, promises to be one of the most significant updates in a decade. With a heavy focus on AI, or “Apple Intelligence,” iOS 18 brings a plethora of new features, enhanced customization options, and revamped core apps.

Let’s dive into what makes iOS 18 stand out and which devices are compatible with this new operating system.

iOS 18 logo

Key features

iOS 18 introduces a customizable Control Center. This new Control Center allows users to customize the position and size of toggles and create multiple pages for different functions. This level of customization ensures that users can tailor their Control Center to suit their needs better, making frequently used controls more accessible and organized.

Another standout of iOS 18 is the enhanced customization options for the home screen. Users can freely move app icons anywhere, breaking away from the traditional grid system. Additionally, icons can be tinted with custom colors, providing a unique and personalized look. Dark Mode now automatically adjusts icon backgrounds to match the overall theme, ensuring a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing interface.

iOS 18 significantly upgrades key apps such as Safari, Messages, Mail, and Photos, leveraging AI to enhance functionality. Safari features an intelligent search that highlights key topics and provides concise summaries. Messages benefit from AI-powered smart replies and long message summaries, while Mail sees improvements like email thread summarization and smart replies. The Photos app introduces object removal and more intuitive search capabilities, making photo management easier and more efficient.

With iOS 18, Apple finally supports RCS messaging, which offers richer communication experiences similar to traditional SMS but with enhanced features. This includes the ability to send higher-quality images, videos, and messages, as well as real-time chat functionality, making everyday communication more dynamic and interactive.

iOS 18 strengthens user privacy and security with new features that allow users to lock and hide apps using Face ID. Locked apps are only accessible to the authenticated user, and hidden apps are stored in a secure folder within the App Library, which can also be unlocked using Face ID. This ensures that sensitive information and apps remain private and protected.

A new Game Mode in iOS 18 aims to minimize distractions by suppressing notifications while gaming. This feature helps gamers stay focused and enjoy a more immersive gaming experience without interruptions from incoming messages and alerts. Game Mode can be easily enabled or disabled, providing flexibility based on the user’s preferences.

iOS 18 introduces several accessibility enhancements to make the operating system more inclusive. New features include Vocal Shortcuts, which allow users to trigger actions with custom voice commands, and atypical speech recognition to assist users with speech impairments. Eye tracking technology enables navigation using only eye movements, while Music Haptics provides tactile feedback synchronized with music for users with hearing impairments. These features ensure that iOS 18 is accessible to a broader range of users, enhancing usability for everyone.

Compatible devices

iOS 18 is available on a wide range of devices, including older models. Here’s the complete list of iPhones that support iOS 18:

Availability

The developer beta of iOS 18 is already available. A public beta, generally more stable, is expected in the coming weeks. The official release is slated for September 2024, coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 16 lineup.

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About the Author

Asma is an editor at iThinkDifferent with a strong focus on social media, Apple news, streaming services, guides, mobile gaming, app reviews, and more. When not blogging, Asma loves to play with her cat, draw, and binge on Netflix shows.