iOS 18 Beta Features & Release Insights

iOS 18 brings big changes to the Photos app. It has new ways to customize your photos. This makes using your iPhone more fun. The update also adds a smart system to help you use your phone better. You can change the Home and Lock Screens, and use a new Control Center.

Messages and Mail apps are getting better too. Messages can now look cooler and work without Wi-Fi. The Mail app helps control emails smarter, thanks to your phone’s smarts. Safari uses new tech to find info on the web more quickly. The Passwords app makes your accounts safer by keeping them all in one place and warning about weak passwords.

Privacy is a big focus in iOS 18. You can lock and hide apps and choose what to share. Plus, your phone can help write and check text and solve math problems right in Notes. This update makes your iPhone more personal and secure. It’s not just a small change but a big step forward for how you use your phone.

Expected iOS 18 Release Schedule

With iOS 18’s release coming soon, knowing when it’s out is key for developers and Apple fans. The beta release marks a major step before the update hits everyone.

Developer Beta Availability

Excitement was high for the iOS 18 Developer Beta’s release, as always. In past years, this first peek came soon after the WWDC. For example, iOS 17’s beta started on June 5, 2023, iOS 16 on June 6, 2022, and iOS 15 on June 7, 2021. The year iOS 14 came out on June 22, 2020, because of the pandemic. But in 2024, developers got a look at iOS 18 on June 10. Only members of Apple’s Developer Program could try it first, helping them get their apps ready.

Public Beta Opening

After the developer version, the Public Beta usually lands four to five weeks later. This often means late June or early July. But this time, in 2024, you can try iOS 18 in July. Keep in mind, that although more stable than the developer beta, this version may still have bugs. So, it’s best not to use it on your main device.

Final Release Timeline

iOS 18’s official release will come in autumn. This is usually after Apple’s new iPhones are announced, which is typically in September. Like last year’s iOS 17 on September 18. Looking back, iOS 16 and iOS 15 followed this pattern too. So, expect iOS 18 to drop between September 16-23, 2024, based on when the iPhone 16 event is.

Customization Options in iOS 18

iOS 18 brings lots of ways to make your iPhone unique. You can change the Control Center and Home Screen to fit your style. This makes your phone your own in Apple’s latest upgrade.

Home Screen Arrangements

With iOS 18, you can place apps and widgets anywhere on your Home Screen. This lets you design it the way you want, whether simple or packed with features. You can even make your icons dark or tinted to add your own touch.

Lock Screen & Control Center Adjustments

iOS 18 also changes the Lock Screen and Control Center to be more useful. The Control Center now starts with a Favorites page. You can add more pages and control them to fit your needs better.

On the Lock Screen, you can now set a custom Action button. This is great for new iPhone models. It makes everyday tasks on your phone faster.

To try these cool features early, you can install the iOS 18 beta. There’s a detailed guide to help you install it smoothly.

Advanced Messaging Features in iOS 18 Beta

iOS 18 Beta boosts your messaging adventures on Apple platforms. It brings new elements to make chatting interactive and diverse.

New Text Effects

In iMessage, iOS 18 Beta upgrades text styles. You can now make your messages bold, italic, underlined, or crossed out. This feature not just helps in clear communication but also adds a dash of uniqueness to your talks. Plus, you can use animated text effects to make conversations more fun and vivid.

Messages via Satellite

The headline feature allows sending messages over satellite in iMessage and SMS. If you’re in a spot with no mobile data or Wi-Fi, you’re still covered. This is key for reaching out in emergencies or when you’re far off the grid.

Rich Communication Services (RCS) Support

RCS support makes messages with non-Apple gadgets more fun and reliable. It’s better than the old SMS or MMS. RCS lets you share more varied media and know when messages are seen, connecting iMessage with others smoothly. This focus on RCS reiterates iOS 18 Beta’s mission for top messaging service, no matter what device you use.

Privacy Enhancements and Apple Intelligence

Privacy is a big deal in iOS 18. It offers ways to lock and hide apps, keeping your phone’s sensitive parts private. The update lets you pick which contacts an app can access, giving you more say in your data’s use. iOS 18 also has new privacy controls for app and contact sharing, and device connections.

Apple Intelligence is all about making iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia brainier. It now helps with writing everywhere, improving how you write, check, and shorten text. Apple worked with OpenAI to boost Siri’s smarts using ChatGPT.

Messages via satellite are a cool new feature. It lets you text without cellular or Wi-Fi, great for emergencies or off-grid spots. There’s also the Passwords app, which keeps all your secret codes in one place.

Early testers of the iOS 18 beta liked its better privacy and the clever use of Apple Intelligence. These updates make your device safer and simpler to use. The ongoing testing works to fix any remaining bugs before the big release.

Improvements in Photos and Mail Apps

The iOS 18 beta update brings big changes to the Photos and Mail apps. These updates make using your phone easier and better.

Unified Photo Library View

The Photos app has a new look that brings all your photos together. Now, you can find and look through your photos much faster. You can also keep your favorite photos close by pinning them for quick viewing.

New Collections and Carousel View

There’s now a feature that shows you the best photos from each day. This makes looking at your photos more fun and interactive. It helps you remember special moments in a cool way.

Mail Categorization and Digest View

Mail has gotten better too. It now sorts emails into categories like Primary, Transactions, Promotions, and Updates. This makes managing your inbox a lot easier. Plus, there’s a new digest view for business emails. It puts all these emails in one easy-to-read list, simplifying things even more.

The iOS 18 beta update is a big win for the Photos and Mail apps. It makes them more useful and friendly. These changes show that iOS 18 works well on different devices.

iOS 18 Beta is a big step in Apple’s software journey. It brings lots of new things for users. This includes better ways to make your phone fit your style, improved ways to talk, and keeping your info safe. It was shown for the first time at WWDC on June 10, 2024.

From this date, developers can try and give feedback on the beta. Normally, after such an early reveal, everyday users get a chance to try new things 4-5 weeks later. This is usually by late June or early July 3. This helps make the new features better before the final release.

The full iOS 18 will probably come out when the iPhone 16 does, maybe in September. Looking at past updates like iOS 17 in 2023 and iOS 16 in 2022, mid to late September seems likely. Getting ready for this update is important. Stay updated on new features and when you can test them out.

iOS 18 has some cool new stuff. There are smart tools to help make your phone just right for you. It also has big improvements in privacy and supports better use of AR. With a guide on how to install the beta and keep up with updates, it should be easy to switch to iOS 18. This update promises to make your iPhone even better, showing Apple’s care for great tech and user experiences.

How to Download iOS 18 Beta?

FAQs

What are the standout features of iOS 18 Beta?

iOS 18 Beta brings a lot of exciting changes. It updates the Photos app and adds Apple Intelligence for better personal help. You’ll get to make your Home and Lock Screens unique. Plus, there’s a new-look Control Center.

It also lets you do cool stuff with text in Messages. And you can even use satellite communications. For privacy, there’s app locking and hiding. You can choose who to share things with more carefully.

When is iOS 18 expected to be released?

The iOS 18 Developer Beta is out now. The Public Beta starts in July. And the final version should come out in September.

This launch will likely happen around the time of the iPhone 16 reveal.

How can I install the iOS 18 Beta?

To get the iOS 18 Beta, you need to download a profile. Visit the Apple Developer website if you’re a developer. Or go to the Apple Beta Software Program page if you’re a public tester.

Be careful not to put the beta on your main device. There might be some bugs to deal with.

Is my device compatible with iOS 18 Beta?

If you have an iPhone XR or a newer model, you can probably use iOS 18 Beta. Check Apple’s official site for the full list of devices that work with it.

What new customization options are available in iOS 18?

iOS 18 lets you really make your Home and Lock Screens your own. You can use dark or tinted icon effects. Plus, you can set up the Control Center with quick links to apps you use a lot.

What are the new messaging features in iOS 18 Beta?

In iOS 18 Beta, you can style your messages with bold, italic, underline, and more. There’s also a cool feature called Messages via Satellite. It lets you send messages even in places with no Wi-Fi or cell service.

Then, with RCS support, you can have better chats with friends who don’t have Apple devices.

How does iOS 18 enhance user privacy?

iOS 18 helps you keep your stuff private. You can hide and lock apps. And control who sees your sensitive info.

There’s Apple Intelligence too. It helps with checking your text for errors and shortening things. This can mean better privacy.