Apple Officially Introduces iOS/iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, macOS Sequoia
It’s go time. New Apple software has just arrived. Here’s everything you need to know.
iOS/iPadOS 18
iOS 18 is all about personalization.
You’ll be able to arrange apps and widgets in any space on the home screen and also customize the buttons at the bottom of the Lock Screen. You can also more quickly access controls in Control Center.
The Photos app is sporting a big redesign with a single view and familiar gird. New collections allow you to browse themes without having to organize content into albums. Collections can also be pinned for quick access.
Another popular app, Messages, has a host of new features. iMessage is sporting new text effects to amplify a word, letter, phrase, or more. You can also add bold, underline, italics, and strikethrough.
iPhone users can also take advantage of a separate Passwords app also on the Mac and iPad.
iOS 18 is compatible with modern iPhones starting with the second-generation iPhone SE. You can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.
There is also a slate of new features for the iPad. For the first time ever, you can now use a stock Calculator app on the iPad with iPadOS 18.
Smart Script allows you to make handwritten notes easier to read and flexible.
The Notes app offers enhancements for typed text allowing you to organize content collapsing sections under headings or subheadings.
You can upgrade to iPadOS 18 with the iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).
Download iPadOS 18 by going to to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPad.
watchOS 11
Apple Watch users will be able to enjoy a number of additions in watchOS 11.
To track intensity, the Apple Watch will features a new training load measurement. Its algorithm takes into account heart rate, altitude, age, weight, and more to give a calculation of your effort.
A long awaited addition, you will be able to pause activity rings for a rest day. They can also be adjusted by the day of the week.
The new Vitals app will help provide a deeper understanding of your health. You can see where you are today and compare those stats to what’s happened in the past.
Smart Stack is getting, well, smarter. New widgets will automatically be added depending on the situation. For example, a weather app will appear when its about to rain.
Live Activities will also be available to view on the watch.
An improved Photos watch face can automatically crop photos.
You’ll need an Apple Watch 6 or later, any Apple Watch Ultra, or the second-generation Apple Watch SE to upgrade. The update can be downloaded now through the companion Watch app on your iPhone by heading to General > Software Update in the My Watch portion of the app. You can also go to Settings > General > Software Update on an Apple Watch.
Your watch needs to have more than 50 percent power and connected to a charger. Like most Apple Watch updates, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, so be patient.
tvOS 18
tvOS 18 is available for the Apple TV HD and all Apple TV 4K models
A new Enhanced Dialog feature will support TV speakers and receivers along with AirPods and other Bluetooth devices. That will use machine learning to provide better clarity to voices.
The software will also add 21:9 support for projectors.
You’ll be able to enjoy a new Portraits category for screen savers along with a category for TV shows and Movies from Apple TV shows. There will also be a new Snoopy screensaver.
FaceTime on the Apple TV will also feature live captions.
An update should automatically be downloaded.
If you haven’t already enabled automatic updates, you can download the software by heading to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software. Right next to the button to update software is the toggle switch to turn on automatic updates.
macOS Sequoia
macOS Sequoia features a number of new Continuity features.
iPhone Mirroring will allow full interaction and control of an iPhone from your Mac.
Safari will feature Highlights, a quick way to see information on the web
Other features include a presenter view for video conferencing and an updated Calculator app.
You can download the software on your Mac by selecting the Apple Menu and then About This Mac. Select Software Update to start the process. The download is large, so expect the entire process to take more than an hour.
The software is compatible with the following Macs: iMac: Late 2019 and later iMac Pro: 2017 MacBook Air: 2018 and later MacBook Pro: 2018 and later Mac Pro: 2019 and later Mac mini: 2018 and later Mac Studio: 2022 and later
What About Apple Intelligence?
You’ll need to be a bit more patient to use Apple Intelligence. The suite of AI tools for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, and macOS Sequoia will arrive in an update starting sometime in October.
The first update will include a number of features starting with Writing Tools. will allow you to choose different versions of what you wrote better adjust the tone for the audience. Proofread will check grammar and more. Summarize will allow you to select text and have it recapped.
For your email deluge, Priority Messages will show the most urgent emails. You can also see Priority Notifications.
In Photos, natural language search will allow you to better locate an image. A Clean Up Tool can also find and remove objects in the background.
ChatGPT will also be integrated in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS later this year.
Siri will add the ability to add better and more personalized responses in 2025.
Apple Intelligence requires an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, any iPhone 16, any iPad with an M1 or later chip, and any Mac with an M1 chip or later.