iOS 18 'Apple's biggest upgrade in history' is released today - is YOUR iPhone eligible?
Apple's 'biggest upgrade in history' has officially rolled out to users worldwide.
The highly anticipated iOS 18 includes advanced home screen customization, messages upgrades, a new passwords app and more.
Users can downloaded the new system by going to Settings, clicking General and then Software Updates to follow the on-screen instructions.
However, not every iPhone is compatible with the new operating system, leaving many people to with envy from afar.
Those unsupported devices are models older than the XS, including the iPhone X, 8, 7 and SE.
Apple plans to roll out iOS today, here's a guide to which iPhones are eligible, how to install the update and all the new features
But if you have an third generation iPhone SE or newer model, you will be able to download the update.
If you're still not sure whether your phone will support iOS 18, check to see if it's currently running iOS 17 as they have the same device requirements.
Once you have determined that your iPhone can run iOS 18, you'll need to check to see whether the update is available to download.
To do this, go to Settings, then General, then Software Update.
If iOS 18 is available, you will see an iOS 18 update message at the bottom of your screen.
Tap download and install, and your phone will prompt you to enter your passcode.
Once entered, carefully review the Terms and Conditions, hit agree, and the installation will begin.
Generally, updating your iPhone or iPad to a new iOS version takes about 30 minutes.
The full list of new features included in this update can be found in this Apple document. But not all of them made it into the launch version of iOS 18.
iOS 18 will give you the ability to position apps and widgets anywhere on the home screen
You will also be able to turn on 'dark mode' in the home screen
iOS 18 will bring you advanced home screen customization capabilities.
Gone are the days of having your apps and widgets forced into neat rows and columns. Now, you can put them anywhere on the screen.
This allows you to position your apps around your wallpaper, make a simple design or organize them in unique ways.
You'll also be able to turn on a new 'dark mode' for app icons and add color tints to them.
The new software also offers more creative freedom in the control center too. iOS 18 will let you separate the control center into different function groups, such as Home or Media.
You can resize the control center widgets and edit which ones appear on the lock screen.
The photos app is also getting its 'biggest redesign ever.'
The Photos app will be getting its 'biggest redesign ever'
iOS 18 will add new flair to Messages, including the ability to react to texts using any emoji
When you open the iOS 18 version of this app, you will see simplified 'single view' with a photo grid, a dates grid and a 'collections' menu that lets you browse your photo library by theme, like screenshots or groups.
There will also be a new 'Recovered' album feature which will house any photos and videos that are not in your main photo gallery. This should reduce risk of database corruption or issues with third-party apps, according to Apple.
To further increase data security, iOS 18 will also include an all-new Passwords app to store your passwords, passkeys and verification codes. All of the information stored in there will be protected by end-to-end encryption, and you can lock it with Face ID or Touch.
Passwords will even alert you if any of your passwords are weak or if they have been involved in a data breach.
Finally, iOS 18 will bring new flair to the Messages app. You'll be able to react to messages with any emoji, underline, strike-through or bold your messages, and use new text-animating effects like Big, Small, Shake, Nod, Explode, Ripple, Bloom and Jitter.
You'll also have the ability to schedule messages to send at a later time and to send messages via satellite when cellular and Wi-Fi connections are unavailable.
