After months of beta testing, Apple will release iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 on September 16, just days before the arrival of the new iPhone 16.
Apple Intelligence significantly improves the functionality of tools like Mail, Siri, search, and more. Apple Intelligence will provide tools for summarizing and supercharging your apps and also allow you to generate new text and images from your phone.
For example, users can type in natural-language searches for photos and create movies from them. Siri will not be confused if users stumble over their words while speaking.
The new operating systems set the stage for a continuous addition of Apple Intelligence features.
However, iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 won’t have full Apple Intelligence capabilities at launch. Apple plans to roll out Apple Intelligence features to devices over time, with the first Apple Intelligence feature updates available as a beta in October.
Apple Intelligence features for English-speaking users will arrive in December. Apple plans to continue adding new Apple Intelligence features and supported languages over time.
The new releases also brings freshly revamped interfaces and new features in apps like Photos and Mail and messages. Improved messaging support using the Rich Communications Services protocol is also coming, allowing more seamless communication with Android and other users.
Starting with iOS 18, iPhone users can now send and receive messages over satellite when they’re out of cellular or WiFi range. Privacy features have also been improved, including locking specific apps and requiring FaceID to unlock them.
The iPadOS 18 release will also bring AI features like improved writing tools that allow users to proofread, summarize, and rewrite text across the operating system. The new Image Playground provides generative AI features. It lets users generate images in different artistic styles, and the Math Notes feature allows users to solve equations directly in the Notes app.
Starting with the iPhone 16, Apple has begun integrating Apple Intelligence into the hardware. The new A18 processor in the iPhone and iPhone Pro was built using “second-generation ” circuitry designed to handle Apple Intelligence’s high processing power needs.
Users will be able to upgrade their iPhone and iPad to the new operating system directly in System Preferences. The new iPhone models will likely ship with iOS 18 preinstalled.