Even if you’re not planning to buy one of the new iPhones, your existing iPhone (XR and later) can now get a bunch of new features following the release of iOS 18. 

Among the new features in iOS 18 are a redesigned Photos app, new ways to customize your Home screen and wallpaper, new Messages reactions, privacy-related features and dozens of other smaller changes. There are also be some AI features, dubbed Apple Intelligence available on some iPhones (find out if they’ll be on your iPhone below).

This free software update brings interface tweaks, bug fixes, and new features. It is like getting a new iPhone without paying a penny. In this article, we discuss everything you need to know about iOS 18, including which iPhones will be able to run iOS 18, the new features – and the new features still to come because they weren’t ready in time for the launch of iOS 18. We’ll also discuss any problems and fixes, what’s new in the latest update, and what’s coming in the next update to iOS 18.

As for what’s coming in iOS 19 when it arrives later in 2025, read: iOS 19 Guide: Release date and rumors.

We also have information about the beta program including the latest version of the public and developer betas.

Update January 27: iOS 18.3 is out now for all compatible iPhones.

Latest version and what’s new…

iOS 18: Latest version

• iOS 18.3: January 27, 2025

The latest version is iOS 18.3, released on January 27, 2025. It adds improvements related to Apple Intelligence, including better formatting for Notification Summaries and improved capabilities for Visual Intelligence, along with a lot of security updates.

iOS 18.2 arrived on December 11, 2024 and includes a number of Apple Intelligence features but that’s not all. Read about Why iOS 18.2 is a must-have update even if your phone doesn’t support Apple Intelligence, and How to get Apple Intelligence on your iPhone.

Prior to iOS 18.2, iOS 18.1.1 included fixes for two security vulnerabilities that have actually been used in attacks on Intel-based Macs. In notes accompanying the update, Apple writes: “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems.” The fixed issues include a flaw in JavaScriptCore framework and a flaw in WebKit.

iOS 18.1 arrived on October 28, and brings the first set of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 16 models and iPhone 15 Pro and Max. There will be more Apple Intelligence features released in iOS 18.2 and iOS 18.3. If you want to know more about the staggered release of Apple Intelligence features, read: Apple Intelligence is a gradual rollout—here’s what you’ll get, and when.

When did iOS 18 come out?

iOS 18 arrived on Monday, September 16. macOS Sequoia, watchOS and iPadOS 18 launched at the same time.

Next update: When will iOS 18.4 be released?

iOS 18.4 will likely be released in March or April of 2025.

What’s new in iOS 18.3?

iOS 18.3 is relatively minor release, with bug fixes, security updates, and a few tweaks to Apple Intelligence features.

• Apple Intelligence – Apple’s Apple Intelligence features, which until now have required the user to turn them on, will be on by default in iOS 18.3.





• Visual intelligence – Add an event to Calendar from a poster or flyer, identify plants and animals





• Notification summaries – You can enable or disable summaries for an app from the lock screen (swipe left, choose Options), and notification summaries have italicized text. Notification summaries have been disabled for News & Entertainment apps for now.





• Calculator app – The “repeat operation” capability when you keep pressing the equals (=) key has been restored.

What’s new in iOS 18.2?

The main thrust of iOS 18.2 is new Apple Intelligence features, especially those centered around images. There are updates to Writing Tools, ChatGPT integration with Siri, Image Playground, Genmoji, and Visual Intelligence for iPhone 16 phones. You can expect the following:

• Writing Tools updates – more options.





• Genmoji – new emoji you can create. See: How to create your own custom emoji with Genmoji.





• Image Playground – ability to generate images based on text prompts.





• Image Wand – uses Apple’s image generation tools to create an image and add as context to a note.





• ChatGPT integration – use ChatGPT with Siri. See: How to use ChatGPT on the iPhone.





• Default Apps – new section in Settings.





• Visual Intelligence – get information using the Camera Control button.





• AE/AF Lock – new toggle to lock exposure and focus via the Camera Control button.





• Find My – share the location of something with a trusted person.





• Mail – New auto-categories (primary, transactions, updates and promotions) to help manage your Inbox.





• Volume limits – set volume limits for iPhone speaker.





• Camera Control – Improvements.





• News+ – Sudoku puzzles.





• AirTag – Item location sharing

For more information about the Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.2 read: How Apple Intelligence levels up with iOS 18.2 and macOS 15.2.

What’s new in iOS 18.1?

iOS 18.1 brings a selection of Apple Intelligence features to iPhones that are compatible with Apple Intelligence (that’s the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Max, and the entire iPhone 16 range). New features include:

• Writing Tools – Rewrite, proofread, and summarize text.





• Siri – New look. Type to Siri so you don’t have to speak to your iPhone. Conversational context so Siri remembers what you had already asked and maintains the context.





• Photos – Improvements to search. Clean Up to remove things from photos. Memory movies.





• Notifications – Notification summaries. Reduce interruptions Focus.





• Mail – Smart reply. Priority messages. Read How to change the iOS Mail app back to how it was if you don’t like it!





• Phone – Record phone calls.





• Notes – Transcriptions of audio recordings or phone calls. Read: How to record and transcribe voice calls on your iPhone





• Camera – Camera Control button can be used to switch to TrueDepth camera. Spatial photo capture for 16 Pro and Max.





• AirPods – Hearing Test and Hearing Air features for AirPods Pro 2.

There were also bug fixes and security updates in iOS 18.1.

What’s coming…