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THE IOS 18 + APPLE INTELLIGENCE
CHEAT
SHEET
WHAT TO KNOW
• Apple has released the official iOS 18.1 update on Oct 28, 2024 including the first round of its Apple Intelligence AI features.
• iOS 18 can be installed on the iPhone 11 and newer, as well as the iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation).
• Apple Intelligence features are available with iOS 18.1 on any iPhone 16 series and the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, as well as on any M-series iPad or Mac.
• You can install the latest version of iOS on your iPhone by going into Settings > General > Software Update.
WHAT’S NEW
Discover the coolest features Apple has introduced with iOS 18!
• Apple Intelligence is arguably the most exciting feature coming to the iPhone with iOS 18.1. Apple’s new AI uses your personal data in order to make your life easier, offering new writing tools, a more powerful Siri, and so much more!—All while keeping your data safe. Apple Intelligence features are being released over time, so it’ll take time before you can try all of them.
• You can use the new Controls Gallery to personalize your Control Center, Action Button, and Lock Screen. It's exciting to be able to replace the Camera and Flashlight icons on your Lock Screen with something you use more often, like music recognition, calculator, translator, or ping my watch!
• Apple has finally given users more control over their security by creating a new Passwords app. This app has all your passwords and passkeys in one place and helps you stay on top of security alerts and password leaks. The Passwords app can also be used to generate verification codes for an extra layer of safety.
TOP 5 MUST-KNOW FEATURES OF iOS 18
• Schedule texts to Send Later without having to worry about disturbing anyone at the wrong time or waiting and forgetting to send the message altogether.
• There is finally an easy way to lock and hide apps to keep your private data safe from prying eyes.
• Bye bye snap grid! You can now drag apps anywhere on your newly customizable Home Screen
• The upgraded Control Center has so many new icon options, including many accessibility features that make it easier to experience everything your iPhone has to offer.
• Writing Tools is a brand new Apple Intelligence feature that can help you write better, and it can even transform your text so it sounds more professional or quickly summarizes it.
HIDDEN GEMS
Here are the coolest secret features you’ve probably never heard of but need to know.
• Solve equations in real time while typing or drawing in the Notes app! Just enter the equation, and it will be solved automatically. When you hand write the equation, the solution will be penned in your own handwriting.
• Journal lovers can now set goals and enjoy writing streaks to encourage consistency and improved mental health. Speaking of mental health, journaling will now give you Mindfulness Minutes if you want it to.
• Apple TV Plus now offers insights that tell you what music is playing and who the actors on screen are (similar to Amazon Prime). All you need to do is tap the Insight icon at the bottom of the screen while playing a movie or TV show.
iOS 18 Pre-Update Checklist
1. Make Sure Your iPhone Is Compatible with iOS 18
You’ll need one of the following devices. It’s easy to find out which device you own, simply unlock your iPhone and navigate to the Settings app > General > About > Model Name
• iPhone 16 - Works with Apple Intelligence
• iPhone 16 Plus - Works with AI
• iPhone 16 Pro - Works with AI
• iPhone 16 Pro Max - Works with AI
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro - Works with AI
• iPhone 15 Pro Max - Works with AI
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)
There will be an iPadOS update with similar features and we’ll cover that in
2. Create a Backup of Your iPhone (2 Options)
Back Up Your iPhone to iCloud
For more detail and for illustrations, see this article:
1. Before initiating an iCloud backup we recommend plugging your iPhone into a power source.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Tap on your Apple ID profile at the top and tap iCloud.
4. Scroll down and select iCloud Backup.
5. If it's not already enabled, tap the Back Up This iPhone toggle. The toggle will be green when enabled.
6. If you haven’t previously enabled iCloud Backup, you may receive a warning message that your device will no longer automatically back up when connected to your computer.
7. If this warning message pops up, tap OK.
8. Enter your iCloud password if prompted.
9. It’s best to use a stable and trusted Wi-Fi connection for iCloud backups, since they are large files. If your iPhone is not connected to Wi-Fi (and you don’t have cellular backups enabled) the Back Up Now option will be gray, and you won’t be able to back up your iPhone to iCloud.
Back Up Your iPhone to Computer
For more detail, images, and how to back up your iPhone to a windows computer, see this article:
1. Connect your iPhone to your computer using the charging cable and click Allow to allow access.
2. Unlock your iPhone using Face ID or your device passcode.
3. Open a Finder window, and under Locations in your sidebar, click on your iPhone.
4. Click Trust.
5. Make sure you are on the General tab.
6. Your iPhone backup will not include Health and Activity data unless you check Encrypt local backup.
7. Click Back Up Now to initiate a manual, local backup of your iPhone to your Mac. This will not interfere with your automatic backup settings or change them.
8. Watch the status indicator next to your iPhone in the sidebar. Don't unplug your iPhone until the process is complete!
3. Free Up Storage Space On Your iPhone
Updates usually take between 2-5 gigabytes of storage space. We recommend clearing at least 5 gigabytes so you have plenty of room. iPhones perform poorly when they’re very full, so it’s worth clearing out some space.
To see how much space you have, navigate to: Settings > General > iPhone Storage
If you don’t have enough space, see Eight Ways to Free Up Storage on Your iPhone.
5. Connect to Wi-Fi with a Stable Internet Connection
The update is usually about 2-5 gigabytes, which can take 20 minutes to several hours to download depending on your network connection. During the download you can continue using your iPhone (though you should stay connected to Wi-Fi) but once it’s finished downloading it will need to be installed, and during the install process the iPhone can’t be used.
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4. Charge Your iPhone and Leave It Plugged In
It’s best to have a full battery or a stable power supply when installing an update. It would be very bad for the device if the battery died while in the middle of an operating system update!
6. You’re Ready! Initiate the Update
Navigate to Settings > General > Software Updates
If you have Automatic Updates toggled on, Apple claims it will install software updates at night if you’re connected to Wi-Fi and a power source. However, we recommend manually installing iOS 18 by tapping Install Now and then following the on-screen prompts. Manually updating ensures you get the update as soon as it’s available, as Apple tends to wait weeks or even up to a month to roll out the new iOS to devices with autoupdate enabled.
7. Expect It to Take a While!
iOS updates usually take around half an hour, but might go much slower than that if you have to download the update over a spotty connection, or if your device is one of the older models that support the update. Expect to leave your phone alone for a while. Also, expect that your device will reboot automatically during the update.
Cullen Thomas is a Senior Instructor at iPhone Life. For ten years as faculty at Maharishi University, Cullen taught subjects ranging from camera and audio hardware to game design. Cullen applies a passion for gadgetry to answer questions about iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple cloud services; to teach live classes; and to specialize in the privacy and security aspects of the Apple ecosystem. Cullen has dual degrees in Media & Communications and Literature, and a Masters degree from the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts.
Olena Kagui is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life who lives in Hawaii and is obsessed with her Apple Watch. She has a BA in International relations from AAU, but her passion is writing. When she’s not testing the latest tech, studying SEO, crafting, foraging for wild mushrooms, or loving on her dogs, she is traveling the world while occasionally visiting her home countries Ukraine and the Czech Republic.