Tim Hardwick
Apple is expected to release iOS 18.1 on Monday, October 28, and it will bring the first set of Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. The update marks the first significant step forward in Apple’s AI integration, introducing a new context-aware Siri experience and a range of additional capabilities powered by on-device machine learning and large language models. There will also be several new controls for non-AI features.
While not all Apple Intelligence features will be available immediately, iOS 18.1 introduces several improvements that will make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we've listed 18 new things your iPhone can do when the update arrives later this month.
Reset Control Center
In iOS 18, Apple made Control Center completely customizable, but there’s no way to roll back your changes if something goes wrong. Luckily, iOS 18.1 introduces an easy way to start over. Under Settings ➝ Control Center, you’ll find a new option to reset Control Center to its default layout. This feature is ideal if you’ve made too many customizations and want to go back to a clean slate without having to rearrange everything manually.
More Control Center Buttons
Apple has introduced new, separate toggles for Satellite and AirDrop in Control Center, allowing users to add them as separate buttons to their Control Center configurations for the first time. Previously, both features were only available through the unified connection control.
Take a Selfie with Camera Controls
Camera controls are getting a selfie update in iOS 18.1. You can now switch to the front-facing camera without touching the screen. Just open the Camera app by pressing the camera control button, then swipe the button to cycle through the lens options. Look for the person icon at the top to activate the selfie camera, making it easy to take the perfect selfie.
Share Apple Music songs on TikTok
Apple Music now has the ability to share Apple Music songs directly to TikTok. To do this, tap Share Song, then select TikTok from the list of apps.
Sleep Apnea Detection
iOS 18.1 adds support for sleep apnea detection and breathing disorder readings on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. After updating to iOS 18.1, you can turn on sleep apnea alerts in the Health app by searching for “Breathing disorder.” Notifications won’t be sent until Apple Watch has collected at least 10 days of data, with analysis performed every 30 days. Note that sleep apnea and breathing disorder data collection doesn’t begin until you install the update and turn on alerts.
Check your writing
Embarrassing typos can be a thing of the past. The new Writing Tools feature in iOS 18.1 includes a powerful proofreading feature. Not only does it check for spelling and grammar errors, it also suggests improvements to your word choice and sentence structure. You can accept all suggestions with one click, or review them one by one, complete with explanations.
Rewrite Your Text
Need to change the tone of your message? The new Rewrite tool can do just that. Whether you want to sound more friendly, professional, or concise, this feature can adjust your writing style without changing the core content. It's like having a personal editor at your fingertips, helping you communicate more effectively in any situation.
Summarize Long Emails
If you often suffer from inbox overload, this feature is a must-have. When you receive a long email, you’ll now see a “Summarize” button that lets Apple Intelligence create a quick summary. Choose from options like a short paragraph, key points, or even a bulleted list. This tool lets you quickly get the gist of important messages without having to read every word. Plus, your inbox will now display a quick AI-generated summary instead of the first few lines of each email, helping you prioritize your responses more effectively.
Answer questions about Apple products
Your iPhone becomes a knowledgeable Apple expert with iOS 18.1. Siri can now tap into a vast database of product information to help you understand your device’s features, find settings, and even provide tutorials on how to complete tasks. It’s like having Apple support built right into your device, available whenever you need it.
Suggest smart replies to emails and messages
Communicate more effectively with smart replies in iOS 18.1. When you receive an email or message, your iPhone will analyze the content and suggest contextually relevant replies. These quick features make it easy to reply quickly and accurately, saving you time and effort in your daily messaging.
Summarize notifications for multiple messages
Keeping track of group chats is about to get a whole lot easier. iOS 18.1 can summarize notifications for multiple messages on the Lock screen, giving you a quick overview without having to open the app. This feature helps you stay on top of conversations without being overwhelmed by notifications.
Create a memory movie from a short description
Easily relive your favorite moments with the new Memory Movie feature. Simply enter a description like “My cat in 2024” or “Orlando in the summer” and your iPhone will automatically select relevant photos and play the perfect music. You can further customize the mood and add specific scenes, turning your memories into beautiful short films with minimal effort.
Remove unwanted objects from photos
Enhance your photos with the new Clean Up tool. This feature makes it easy to remove unwanted objects from your images. Whether it’s a photobomber or a distracting element in the background, you can now tap, circle, or brush over the object to make it disappear. The tool is smart enough to preserve important elements, ensuring that your main topics remain intact.
Summarize your audio transcripts
Turn long notes into digestible information with the new transcription feature. When you record audio in apps like Notes, your iPhone can now provide a transcript along with a summary. This is especially useful for capturing and extracting information from lectures, meetings, or interviews, making it easy to review and share key points.
Reduce Distractions
Manage your notifications with the new Reduce Distractions focus mode. This intelligent feature filters your alerts to show you only the most important notifications that require immediate attention. It should come in handy when you need to focus but don’t want to miss important information.
Record Your Phone Calls
iOS 18.1 introduces Phone Call Recording. When you’re on a call, you’ll see a record button in the top left corner of the display. Tap it, and after notifying all participants, the call will be recorded. These recordings are stored in the Notes app, where you can access transcripts and AI-generated summaries, making it easier to review important conversations.
Summarize web articles
Reading long articles is about to get easier with this Safari improvement. When using Reading Mode, you can now tap a button to have Apple Intelligence summarize the article for you. This feature quickly highlights the main points, allowing you to get the gist of the content without reading every word.
Generate Apple Intelligence reports
If you’re curious about how Apple Intelligence works on your device, iOS 18.1 offers transparency with the new Apple Intelligence report. Located in the Privacy & Security section of the Settings app, this feature lets you export your Apple Intelligence data. This requires Face ID authentication, which ensures your privacy is protected and lets you understand how AI is improving your iPhone experience.
Related Reviews: iOS 18, iPadOS 18Tag: Apple IntelligenceRelated Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18[ 39 comments ]
