18 cool iOS 18 tips to help you get the most out of your iPhone

Apple has rolled out the iOS 18 update for eligible iPhones and it comes with a host of new features. From a Control Centre overhaul to RCS messaging, the new update comes packed with features that will make you fall in love with your iPhone all over again.

ALSO READ: iOS 18 rolls out for all eligible Apple iPhones

But often with monumental changes comes a wave of confusion — and we’re here to help you navigate through it. Be it crucial initial settings or time-saving shortcuts, we’ve curated 18 ways to make the most of the new OS update.

18 best iOS 18 tips you should try out on your iPhone

If you’ve installed the latest iOS 18 update on your iPhone and are wondering where to go next, you’re not the only one. Here are 18 OS tips to help you get started:

1. Transform your home screen

Apple finally lets you toy around with the home screen icons and widgets with iOS 18, allowing you to experiment with almost everything you see. You start by giving your icons a tint, resize them and move them around freely to begin with, but can even create your own widgets for easy access.

To do this, you need to press and hold the home screen until you see an ‘Edit’ option in the top left corner. Tap that to customise your home screen the way you want. You will find a slider with tint options, along with other tools, that can allow you to switch between light and dark themes. If that’s not all, you can also make sure you have matching icons for your unique wallpaper.

2. Redesign your lock screen

Your iPhone’s lock screen also gets a makeover and now allows you to change your shortcuts. If you’re exhausted from accidentally switching on your iPhone flashlight every now and then, you have the option to replace it with the shortcut of your choice. This could be switching on the dark mode, or even turning your device into an Apple TV remote – there is no reason for you to limit yourself with this one!

3. Adjust your flashlight

Talking about the flashlight, Apple has also added a few cool new tweaks to customise the tool. The new flashlight feature can be accessed via your iPhone’s Dynamic Island, and you can also increase or decrease the brightness as per your needs. On swiping horizontally, you can even modify the spread of light for a wide or narrow area.

4. Switch up your Control Centre

The Control Centre gets even more powerful with the iOS 18 update, and you can customise grids, add or remove tools and even create multiple sheets or pages of controls. To do this, all you have to do is swipe into the Control Centre and tap on the plus sign in the top left corner.

This will help you add or remove existing icons and replace them with whatever you want. You can even resize and move them around if that’s what you wish to do.

5. Lock or hide your apps

iOS 18 finally allows users to lock or hide their apps from their home screen. Apps that you choose to hide will not show up on notifications, or searches and will only be accessible via a Hidden apps folder. Moreover, you may also choose to unlock them using your Face ID, Touch ID or passcode to ensure they are more secure.

ALSO READ: iOS 18: 5 things to do first after updating your iPhone

6. Send expressive texts

Messages is yet another app that gets a host of changes, including the ability to send expressive texts. Tired of only Bold and Italics? You can now Bold and Italicise your texts together! If that’s not all, you can also add animated effects like ripples or exploding texts for times you want to be a little more dramatic.

7. Add custom emoji tapbacks

Apple has transformed its six emoji tapbacks on Messages with a lot more colours and details to make responding to conversations a lot more fun. Apart from the standard six emoji reactions, you can choose from a variety of emojis to personalise your message response and make them expressive or nuanced.

To access this, long-press a text message and scroll across the standard reactions. You will find several other options and a greyed-out emoji at the end that lets you choose your own.

8. Schedule messages

iOS 18’s schedule feature will never let you forget an important birthday or anniversary – ever! All you have to do is select the contact you wish to send the message to and begin typing the contents. Once you’re finished, you will see a plus icon on the left, and a list with a ‘Send Later’ option. Pick and time and date to schedule your messages, and voila, you’re good to go.  

9. Send RCS messages

Apple recently incorporated RCS (Rich Communication Services) support in Messages, which gives you the ability to enjoy a vast variety of features. Some of these include typing indicators, message status such as ‘Delivered’, ‘Sent’ or ‘Seen’, and high-quality videos and picture sharing between Android and iOS devices.  

While most carriers support RCS messaging, it is always best to verify before you try to enable it on your iPhone. To check, you can navigate to Settings, and then Apps at the bottom of the menu. Tap on Messages and then RCS Messaging under the Text option. Toggle the switch on to enjoy more features.

10. Mirror your iPhone MacOS Sequoia

If you’re knee-deep in the Apple ecosystem, you probably have an iPhone along with a Mac. The iOS 18 update makes it seamless for you to work with the two by simply mirroring your iPhone onto your MacBook or iMac. Before you do, it is crucial to ensure your devices are updated to iOS 18 as well as macOS Sequoia, and that they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

ALSO READ: 5 things to do first after updating your iPhone to iOS 18

Once you take care of the prerequisites, you can go ahead and find an iPhone Mirroring icon on your Mac’s dock. Open it and click on Continue. Next, unlock your iPhone and click on the ‘Get Started’ option on your MacBook. Once this is done, your iPhone’s contents will be displayed on your Mac device successfully.

11. Master the calculator app

The calculator app now finally gets a much needed delete button! But that’s not all that has changed with iOS 18. Firstly, Apple has added Math Notes, which is a great crossover between the Notes and Calculator app. Math Notes lets you type your equations and solve them automatically once you type an equal to sign.

iOS 18 also simplifies unit conversions within the Calculator app itself. This means you can convert currencies, distances and well as other metrics without leaving the app. Lastly, you also get access to Calculator history by tapping the three lines on the top left of your interface.

12. Create a Wi-Fi QR code

While there are multiple ways to share your home Wi-Fi network with your friends or family, iOS 18 lets you generate a unique QR code to share it with ease. Within the Passwords app, choose the Wi-Fi option and you will be able to see any saved Wi-Fi networks listed, along with your current connection right at the top. 

Then tap it, and on the next screen tap the ‘Show Network QR code’ options. Scan it from another phone and you should be able to connect with the network.

ALSO READ: How to check if someone’s stealing your Wi-Fi and how to block them

13. Satellite messages

Stuck without network connectivity and have to message someone? iOS 18 gives iPhone 14 and above an emergency option to text someone via satellite. The feature is an extension of Emergency SOS and will allow you to send or receive text messages with all supporting messaging features. While you can still use emoji tapbacks with your satellite texts, we doubt if you might need them while being stranded on a highway!

14. Set charging limit

With iOS 18 you can set and customise charging limit time. The idea behind this was if you are not charging your iPhone to a 100 per cent every time, the tool will help your battery last longer.

While the older software versions only let you set the limit to 80 per cent, iOS 18 will let you set it in five per cent increments. Visit Settings then Battery, and tap on Charging.

ALSO READ: Tips to ensure your iPhone battery life stays optimised

You should be able to set limits on the next screen, anywhere between 80 to 100 per cent. iOS 18 will also be able to memorise your habits and give you recommendations based on how you use your iPhone.

Select the limit you need, and then tap on the ‘Set Charge Limit’ option. So, now when you plug it in, it will only charge to the selected limit and will not reach 100 per cent.

15. Use the Action button to find music

Apple brought in the Action button last year and today the possibilities to customise it seem endless. With the iOS 18 update, you can replace your regular function with Shazam to discover new music around you. Earlier versions of the software would only allow you to do this using the shortcuts app; however, Apple now gives you a direct way to use Shazam.

16. Transcribe your voice memos

Voice memos can now be transcribed and can turn your voice recordings into texts. Open the app and locate the recording you wish to transcribe. Tap on it and then tap the three dots next to the recording. Once you do, you will find an option stating ‘edit recording’.

You can then tap on the speech bubble icon in the bottom left to transcribe your recordings. Any new transcript can be found once you tap the three-dot icon and tap ‘view transcript’ in that menu.

17. Type questions to Siri

iOS 18 gave a much-needed overhaul to Apple’s virtual assistant Siri, and one of the changes no longer requires you to speak your questions to it. If you don’t wish to talk to Siri out loud, you can now double-tap at the bottom of the screen and type your command, such as setting an alarm, to it like a chatbot.  

18. Explore the Passwords app

Lastly, Apple has added a Passwords app with the new update, which is now a handy way to autofill passwords across services. The app works between your iPhone, Mac, iPad or even your PC, and is steadily introducing users to passkeys.

The addition is built to eventually allow users to log in with a Face ID or a Touch ID instead of a password. But if you’re not fully sold on the idea, you don’t have to worry, as the app doesn’t really change your existing passwords.

How to update your iPhone to iOS 18

Not sure how to go about updating your iPhone to the latest iOS 18 update? Make sure you check if your device makes it to the eligibility list. Once you spot it there, navigate to the Settings app and tap on General. Within this, you will find Software Updates. The iOS 18 update should be visible within this tab. Watch this space for more tips, tricks and Apple news.