Apple has begun rolling out its biggest operating system – iOS18 for iPhone users today and brings a host of new features. Announced earlier this year at the WWDC event in June, iOS 18 promises features like a customizable home screen, Safari improvements, an updated Photos app, and more. The update also brings improved text effects in Messages and improved organizational tools in the Maps app. However, the highly anticipated Apple Intelligence features will not be available with the initial release of iOS 18. They may arrive with a future update later this year in October.
If you still want to download iOS 18 on your iPhone and are wondering if your device is compatible with it, read on.

Apple iPhones that support iOS 18

The latest iOS 18 software is supported on the iPhone 16 series 2024 and the following devices:

How to download iOS 18

To Download iOS 18 on your Apple iPhone, follow these steps

New features in iOS 18

Apple iOS 18 brings more customization options to iPhones, as well as “the biggest redesign ever” of the Photos app, new ways for users to manage their inbox in Mail, messaging via satellite, and more.
NNew customization options
iOS 18 allows iPhone users to customize the Home screen, Lock screen, and Control Center. Users can now arrange apps and widgets in any free space on the Home screen, such as placing them right above the Dock for easy access or perfectly framing a wallpaper. App icons and widgets can get a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make them appear larger to create the experience that’s perfect for them.
Apple redesigned Control Center with iOS 18 to provide easier access to many of the things users do every day. The new design provides quick access to new groups of a user’s most commonly used controls, such as media playback, home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily switch between each control. With iOS 18, users can now add controls from supported third-party apps to Control Center. Users can now toggle controls at the bottom of the Lock screen, including choosing from options available in the Controls Gallery or removing them entirely. The Action button available on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max allows users to quickly access controls available in the Gallery.
The Photos app gets the biggest redesign ever
With iOS 18, the Photos app gets a simplified single view with a familiar grid, and new Collections help users browse by subject without having to organize content into albums. Plus, collections can be pinned to keep favorites easily accessible. A new carousel view presents highlights that are updated daily and show popular people, pets, places, and more. Auto-playing content throughout the app brings libraries to life, so past moments can be enjoyed while browsing. The app is customizable, meaning users can organize collections, pin collections to access frequently, and include what matters most to them in the carousel view.
Changes in iMessages
iMessage gets a brand new text effect with iOS 18. It brings conversations to life by enhancing each letter, word, phrase, or emoji with dynamic, animated representations. Users can better express tone by adding formatting like bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough. Tapbacks expand to include any emoji or sticker, and now users can compose a message and schedule it to send at a later time.
Later this year, the Mail app will also get new ways for users to manage their inbox and stay up to date. On-device categorization organizes and sorts incoming emails into “Primary” for personal and time-sensitive emails, “Transactions” for confirmations and receipts, “Updates” for news and social notifications, and “Promotions” for marketing emails and coupons.
Changes to Safari, new passwords app and more
Using machine learning, Safari can surface important information about a web page. For example, users can read a summary to get the gist of an article, quickly see the location of a restaurant, hotel, or attraction, or hear an artist’s title directly from an article about the song or album. Reader has been redesigned to provide even more ways to enjoy articles without distraction. A summary and table of contents have been added for longer articles.
Apple iOS 18 also introduces the new Passwords app, making it easier for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes. The software update also gives users even more control with tools to manage who can see their apps, how contacts are shared, and how their iPhone connects to accessories.