The most important new features and updates in iOS 18.1
iOS 18.1 is the first major update to iOS 18, and it brings a bunch of advanced new features, most notably: some Apple Intelligence features, and the phone call recording feature. Apple released the final version of iOS 18.1 yesterday, and it is now available to all compatible iPhone users .
Here are the most important new features in the iOS 18.1 update:
1- A set of Apple Intelligence features:
iOS 18.1 includes the first set of Apple Intelligence features available for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 series. The first set of Apple AI features includes:
Writing tools:
Writing tools allow you to proofread, summarize, and rewrite texts in all applications on your phone.
Updated Siri:
Siri has a new look, now appearing as a line around the screen rather than a circle at the bottom of the screen, and it's smarter and knows more about all of Apple's devices. You can also interact with it by typing via the Type to Siri feature, and Siri can maintain context between multiple requests and understand what you mean even if you mispronounce some words.
Smart Replies:
In the Mail and Messages apps, there's a reply suggestion feature for incoming messages, which makes it easier for you to respond to different messages in ways that are appropriate to the message content.
Summary:
AI Summarization can summarize emails and notifications so you can quickly see what’s important. You can also get summaries of text in Notes and websites in Safari.
Memory Maker feature:
The AI feature Memory Maker built into the Photos app lets you create custom slideshows from a collection of photos stored on your phone after writing a description for the slideshow.
The Photos app also supports natural language search, and includes a Clean Up feature to remove unwanted elements from photos.
2- New features in the phone application:
iOS 18.1 brings the ability to record and transcribe phone calls to get a written transcript of the recorded call. Tapping the record button in the upper left after starting a call will start recording, and all participants will be notified that the call is being recorded. Recorded calls are saved in the Notes app, and can be transcribed within the app.
3- New features in the camera application:
The iPhone 15 Pro camera app includes a spatial photo feature, a feature that has been available on the iPhone 16 since its launch.
On the other hand, the Camera Control button available on the iPhone 16 phones now has a new option to switch to the front-facing TrueDepth camera with press and swipe gestures.
4- New features for AirPods Pro 2:
If you have AirPods Pro 2, iOS 18.1 adds a new set of hearing health enhancement features. You can take a hearing test to check for hearing loss, and if hearing loss is detected, there's an option to use AirPods Pro 2 as a hearing aid to amplify conversations and other sounds around you.
The new update also provides an option to adjust listening modes for music, videos, and calls based on a hearing test, and there is a hearing protection feature for all users that reduces exposure to loud environmental noise in all listening modes.
5- Updates in the App Store:
The App Store's built-in search feature now supports natural language to make it easier to find what you're looking for.
6- Security updates in iOS 18.1:
iOS 18.1 addresses more than 20 security vulnerabilities, which means it's a good idea to update as soon as possible. A full list of the vulnerabilities addressed by this update is available on Apple's website .