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iOS 18 With Home Screen Customisation, Improved Privacy Controls Unveiled at WWDC 2024

iOS 18 With Home Screen Customisation, Improved Privacy Controls Unveiled at WWDC 2024

Apple will introduce improved home screen customisation with improved icon placement on the Home Screen with iOS 18.

Written by David Delima | Updated: 10 June 2024 23:01 IST

iOS 18 With Home Screen Customisation, Improved Privacy Controls Unveiled at WWDC 2024

Photo Credit: Apple

iOS 18 adds support for app icon customisation with colour tinting for icons

Highlights

iOS 18 will arrive with support for on-device Apple Intelligence
Apple Intelligence will only be available on iPhone 15 Pro models
Apple says iOS 18 will introduce a more advanced Siri assistant

iOS 18 was unveiled at Apple's annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) event on Monday, along with several new features and capabilities with artificial intelligence, as well as Home Screen customisation options. The latest version of iOS will add support for vastly improved control centre options along with support for controls from third party apps, according to the company. iOS 18 also takes advantage of Apple's processors to deliver new features that will be available on eligible iPhone models later this year, when the iOS 18 update rolls out.

Improved Privacy Features on iOS 18

Apple is also improving privacy features on iOS 18 including the ability to control how data is shared with apps. With iOS 18, users will be able to share specific contacts with apps instead of providing access to their entire contact list. Meanwhile, users will also be able to lock certain apps from their home screen, preventing unauthorised users to access these apps without biometric authentication or the device's passcode.

iOS 18 will introduce Home Screen customisation along with Messages and Photos upgrades
Photo Credit: Apple

Siri to Get Apple Intelligence Upgrades

Siri is getting an upgrade with iOS 18 to make the assistant more conversational, alongside a new interface and app icon. Apple says the virtual assistant will allow users to Type to Siri alongside using voice commands, depending on where they are. Siri is also set to get On-Screen Awareness features powered by Apple Intelligence, the company's privacy focussed artificial intelligence (AI) system that will be rolled out later this year. Apple Intelligence will be available in beta form in English (US) and only on two smartphones — the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

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RCS Support and Message App Improvements on iOS 18

The Messages app will gain support for new features with iOS 18, including support for RCS messaging, text formatting, and using emoji in Tapback responses. Users with an iPhone 14 and newer models in supported regions will also be able to use satellite connectivity to send texts and emoji via the Messages app.

Incoming support for RCS messaging means texting between iPhone and Android smartphones will finally be on par with iMessage — at least in terms of image quality and group chats. Text formatting is already available in rival messaging apps, and will allow users to send messages with four different formatting styles.

iOS 18 to Introduce Control Center Improvements

According to the company, iOS 18 will also introduce support for third party controls in the Control Center, while users will be able to swipe across pages to see more controls and toggles. A controls gallery will also showcase all the available controls available, including those from installed third party apps, and users can select custom layouts for these toggles on iOS 18.

All the Apple Intelligence Features Announced at WWDC 2024

Other customisation options coming to iOS 18 include the ability to pick custom lock screen shortcuts or remove them. The shortcuts will also include options from the aforementioned control gallery, according to Apple.

Apple's Dedicated Passwords App

Apple is also introducing a new Passwords app on iOS 18 that will also be available on iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia and visionOS 2, as well as Windows computers. This app will allow users to see their passwords and edit them, view verification codes, and see weak passwords or those spotted in data leaks.

iOS 18 Compatible iPhone Models

iOS 18 will be compatible with the iPhone XR and newer models, up to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which means the same models that supported the company's current generation iOS 17 smartphone OS will be able to update to the upcoming version later this year. Just like previous versions, certain iOS 18 features won't be visible on older models, according to the company.

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent display
USB Type-C
AAA gaming
Excellent all-round performance
Good primary and telephoto camera
Customisable Action Button

Bad
Gets hot quickly when stressed
Slow wired charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1290x2796 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: iOS 18, iOS 18 update, iOS 18 features, WWDC 2024, Apple

David Delima

Email David Delima

As a writer on technology with Gadgets 360, David Delima is interested in open-source technology, cybersecurity, consumer privacy, and loves to read and write about how the Internet works. David can be contacted via email at DavidD@ndtv.com, on Twitter at @DxDavey, and Mastodon at mstdn.social/@delima. More