One of Apple's greatest features to date was quietly introduced with iOS 18.4
The most recent software update for your iPhone, iOS 18.4, was released by Apple this week. There are a number of new Apple Intelligence features, including better RCS messaging and new emojis, but one in particular is not receiving nearly as much attention as I would anticipate, given how beneficial it is for users.
Although it is technically a feature of macOS 15.4, you can now use your iPhone to set up a new Mac if you also have an iPhone running iOS 18.4.
The prerequisites are rather straightforward. A nearby iPhone or iPad running iOS or iPadOS 18.4 or later that has already been configured and a Mac running macOS Sequoia 15.4 or later that boots up to the Mac Setup Assistant are required. Additionally, make sure both devices have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi enabled.
I understand that this may not seem like much, but it truly ranks among the greatest macOS features ever. You could argue that anything that makes it simpler to start using a new device is beneficial, in my opinion. Especially when compared to Windows, Apple makes Mac setup incredibly simple. The video of someone configuring a new MacBook Air and a Windows Surface laptop is among the most annoyingly funny ones I have seen lately.
For many years, Migration Assistant has made the process of moving all of your old data to a new Mac relatively simple. However, a large number of people may own an iPhone but not a Mac.
In actuality, the number of iPhone owners is much higher, and many iPad owners are likely to have never used a Mac. It will now be simpler to set one up for the first time. For example, this makes moving from a Chromebook to a MacBook Air a more practical choice. Apple's business will benefit if it makes it simpler to purchase and set up your first Mac.
The fact that Apple excels at this type of thing is another factor that makes it such a fantastic feature. No one does a better job than Apple at making computer use delightfully easy and enjoyable.
When I said that this has some of the greatest macOS features ever, I meant it. The features that Apple incorporates into its products—such as AirDrop, Continuity Camera, Universal Clipboard, and Sidecar—make being a part of the ecosystem extremely valuable. Things like these "just work," which means you do not need to think about them at all; you just use your computer and it performs as you would expect.
People adore using Apple products because of this. For those who have never purchased a Mac before, the process of configuring it may seem daunting. Apple has now made the entire process simpler. Once you turn it on, your Mac will ask if you want to sync your iCloud data and sign in to your Apple Account using your iPhone.
Just so you know, even if you already have a Mac, some things will not transfer. For instance, you will need to redownload each third-party Mac app separately if you have already downloaded or bought it from a developer's website. Downloading any apps from the Mac App Store is also required, but it is a fairly easy process if you are signed into your Apple Account.
Similarly, you will need to download your content and install the app if you store your files on a service like Dropbox. Naturally, you can use Migration Assistant to move your data straight to your new Mac if you already have one.
The lesson here is fairly straightforward: Business benefits greatly from making things easier for your customers. Apple recently made it easier to set up a new Mac, which makes its customers happy and encourages more people to purchase Macs. Because of this, it has one of its best features to date.
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