Apple has just confirmed the date when iPhone owners will be able to download iOS 18 – here’s all you need to know.
iOS 18 was announced all the way back in June – now we finally know when this huge free update is coming to iPhones. Apple confirmed the release date for iOS 18 during its Glowtime! launch event last night with Monday, September 16 the date all users need to pop in their diaries.
If previous years are anything to go by, we expect this new operating system to become available at around 6pm BST and once downloaded it will bring a swathe of new features to devices.
Perhaps the biggest change in iOS 18 is the ability to tinker with your home screen thanks to improved customisation. You can place apps anywhere you want rather than being stuck to the usual grid plus everything can be switched to unique coloured tints including apps – there’s even the option to hide certain applications behind an additional level of security.
Along with more options to make devices look more unique, there’s also a huge redesign to the Control Centre. This lets you create groups and customise the things you use the most.
Apple says the redesign delivers quick access to new groups of a user’s most-utilised controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily swipe between each.
Another bonus is being able to add certain controls to the home screen making them much faster to access.
Other changes arriving in iOS 18 include a revamped Photos app that makes it easier to find images. Photo libraries are automatically organised in a new single view in Photos, and helpful new collections keep favourites easily accessible.
There are better ways to message friends including more reactions and being able to schedule chats to be sent at certain times of the day or night.
A new password app has been added in the release to keep all those codes more secure and the Safari browser will automatically detect relevant information on a page and highlight it as you browse.
Sound enticing? You can check out which devices are available on below.
Check below to see if your iPhone is compatible
iPhone 15 • iPhone 15 Plus • iPhone 15 Pro • iPhone 15 Pro Max
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)
“We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18. It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customisation and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.
“This release also marks the beginning of a tremendously exciting new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can’t wait for users to experience it.”
If your iPhone isn’t on the list above it could be time to upgrade. Apple has just revealed its new iPhone 16 range which feature faster processors, longer battery life, improved cameras and a new Camera Control button on the side which launches the camera and lets you shoot instant images just by pressing it.