iOS 18: Cool New Features Without Apple Intelligence Yet

Apple has officially launched iOS 18, and while many anticipated features like Apple Intelligence are absent from this release, the update is packed with plenty of upgrades that make it worth the download. From custom lock screen buttons to enhanced privacy features and a redesigned Photos app, here’s what you’ll notice when you hit that "install" button.

No Apple Intelligence Yet, But That’s Okay

The most hyped feature, Apple Intelligence, promised smarter Siri, AI-powered tools, and even image generation from prompts. However, this AI boost is missing in the initial release of iOS 18, with Apple deciding to hold off until iOS 18.1. While this delay might disappoint those eager for AI enhancements, there's still plenty to get excited about in this update.

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Customization Gets a Major Boost

One of the most noticeable changes in iOS 18 is the increased flexibility in Home Screen customization. You can now rearrange apps and widgets into more flexible layouts, leaving empty spaces if you're after a cleaner, minimal look. Want bigger widgets or app icons tinted to match your wallpaper? iOS 18 delivers with these sleek, modern options. Long-press the home screen, click ‘Edit,’ and you’re good to go.

Messages Gets a Glow-Up

If you're someone who spends a lot of time in Messages, you'll love the new scheduling feature. Now, you can schedule texts to go out at a specific time, making it easier to plan birthday greetings or reminders. Tapback is also getting a fun upgrade—react to messages with any emoji, not just the default ones. And for those who constantly send links, link previews now display better than ever before.

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Control Center Customization

Control Center has been completely revamped in iOS 18, allowing for greater customization. You can now rearrange and resize buttons, even splitting Control Center into multiple screens for better accessibility. Want one screen for media and another for HomeKit controls? iOS 18 makes this possible. Plus, third-party apps can now integrate their controls, giving you even more options at your fingertips.

Privacy Takes Center Stage

Apple continues its focus on privacy with iOS 18. You can now lock apps like Photos and Messages behind Face ID or Touch ID, adding an extra layer of security even when your phone is unlocked. Hidden apps are another neat feature, allowing you to tuck apps away in a folder that won’t show up in search results or send notifications.

Need to give an app access to your contacts? Now, you can grant access to specific contacts rather than your entire contact list, adding another layer of privacy to your phone usage.

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The All-New Photos App

The revamped Photos app now includes the Collections feature, which organizes your photos into smart categories like "Recent Trips," "People," and "Pets," making it easier to navigate your growing photo library. The Library section has also been redesigned, and you can customize or reorder these tabs to suit your preferences. A small tweak, but a significant improvement for those with thousands of images.

Customizable Lock Screen Buttons

If you've ever accidentally opened your camera or flashlight from the lock screen, iOS 18 brings a solution. You can now swap out or completely remove these buttons. Simply long press on your Lock Screen, tap “Customise,” and choose what icons you want to keep or replace. The update even lets you add other shortcuts like Dark Mode, Voice Memos, or even controls from third-party apps.

Safari’s Distraction Control

A fantastic new feature in Safari is Distraction Control, which allows you to hide annoying elements like cookie pop-ups and newsletter banners, making browsing a lot smoother. It doesn’t block ads, but it gives you control over the clutter. To use it, head to any webpage, tap the Page Menu, and select Hide Distracting Items. This is one feature that will make online browsing more enjoyable without entirely altering the web pages.

Still a Lot to Unpack

Even though Apple Intelligence didn’t make it into this release, iOS 18 offers enough fresh features to keep things exciting. With Home Screen customization, enhanced privacy, and a redesigned Control Center, this update is more about refining the iPhone experience than delivering headline-grabbing features. Whether you’re setting up your custom lock screen buttons or diving into the revamped Photos app, iOS 18 is all about giving you more control over your device.