Apple is expected to release iOS 18.1 on Monday, October 28, bringing the first wave of Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update marks the first major step forward in Apple’s AI integration, delivering a new Siri context-aware experience and a range of additional capabilities powered by on-device machine learning and large language models. There will also be a handful of new, non-AI related function controls.
While not all of Apple Intelligence’s features will be available immediately, iOS 18.1 introduces several improvements that aim to make your iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below we’ve listed 18 new things your iPhone can do when the update rolls out later this month.
Reset your control center
With iOS 18, Apple has made Control Center deeply customizable, but there’s no way to undo your changes if something messy happens. Fortunately, iOS 18.1 introduces an easy way to start over. In Settings ➝ Control Center you will find a new option to reset your Control Center to its default layout. This feature is perfect if you’ve made too many adjustments and want to return to a clean slate without manually reordering everything.
More Control Center buttons
Apple has introduced new individual switches for Satellite and AirDrop in Control Center, allowing users to add them as separate buttons to their Control Center configurations for the first time. Previously, both functions were only available via the combined connectivity control.
Take selfies with camera controls
Camera Control gets a selfie upgrade in iOS 18.1. Now you can switch to the front camera without touching your screen. Simply open the Camera app by pressing the Camera Control button, then swipe the button to cycle through the lens options. Look for the person icon at the top to activate the selfie camera, making it easier to capture that perfect self-portrait.
Share Apple Music songs on TikTok
Apple Music now has an option to share Apple Music songs directly to TikTok. To do this, tap Share Song and then choose TikTok from the list of apps.
Detection of sleep apnea
iOS 18.1 adds support for sleep apnea detection and breathing disorder measurements on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. After updating to iOS 18.1, you can enable sleep apnea alerts in the Health app by searching for breathing disorders. Notifications will not be sent until Apple Watch has collected at least 10 days of data, with analysis occurring every 30 days. Please note that data collection on sleep apnea and breathing disorders will not begin until the update is installed and alerts are activated.
Proofread your text
Embarrassing typos can be a thing of the past. iOS 18.1’s new Writing Tools feature includes powerful proofreading. It not only checks for spelling and grammar errors, but also suggests improvements in word choice and sentence structure. You can accept all suggestions with one tap or view them one by one, complete with explanations.
Rewrite your text
Do you want to change the tone of your message? The new Rewrite tool can do just that. Whether you want your text to sound friendlier, more professional, or more concise, this feature can customize your writing style without changing the core content. It’s like having a personal editor at your fingertips, helping you communicate more effectively in any situation.
Summarize long emails
If you often suffer from inbox overload, this should be a welcome feature. When you receive a long email, you now see a ‘Summary’ button that allows Apple Intelligence to create a quick summary. Choose from options like a short paragraph, key points, or even a bulleted list. This tool makes it easier to quickly understand the essence of important messages without reading every word. Plus, your inbox now shows a short AI-generated summary instead of the first few lines of each email, so you can prioritize your responses more efficiently.
Answer questions about Apple products
Your iPhone becomes an expert Apple expert with iOS 18.1. Siri can now tap into a massive database of product information, helping you understand device features, find settings, and even provide tutorials on how to complete tasks. It’s as if Apple Support is built right into your device and available whenever you need it.
Provide smart replies to emails and messages
Communication gets a boost with Smart Reply in iOS 18.1. When you receive an email or message, your iPhone analyzes the content and suggests contextually relevant responses. These quick tap options make it easy to respond quickly and appropriately, saving you time and effort in your daily correspondence.
Summarize multiple message notifications
Catching up on group chats will become a lot easier. iOS 18.1 can summarize multiple message notifications on your lock screen, giving you a quick overview without having to open the app. This feature allows you to monitor conversations without being overwhelmed by an overload of notifications.
Create memory movies based on a short description
Easily relive your favorite moments with the new Memory Movie function. Simply enter a description, such as “My cat in 2024” or “Orlando in summer,” and your iPhone will automatically select relevant photos and choose appropriate music. You can further customize the atmosphere and add specific scenes, turning your memories into beautiful short films with minimal effort.
Remove unwanted objects from photos
Perfect your photos with the new Clean Up tool. This feature allows you to easily remove unwanted objects from your images. Whether it’s a photobomber or a distracting element in the background, you can now tap, circle, or swipe the object to make it disappear. The tool is smart enough to preserve important elements, keeping your main topics intact.
Summarize your audio transcriptions
Convert long recordings into digestible content with the new transcription feature. When you record audio in apps like Notes, your iPhone can now display a transcription along with a summary. This is particularly useful for capturing and distilling information from lectures, meetings or interviews, making it easier to review and share key points.
Reduce your interruptions
Take control of your notifications with the new Focus Mode to reduce interruptions. This intelligent feature filters your alerts and shows you only the most important notifications that require immediate attention. It should come in handy when you need to concentrate but don’t want to miss crucial information.
Record your phone calls
iOS 18.1 introduces phone call recording. During a call, you will see a recording button at the top left of the screen. Tap it and after all participants have been notified, the call will be recorded. These recordings are saved to the Notes app, where you can access transcripts and AI-generated summaries, making it easy to review important conversations.
Summarize web articles
Reading long articles becomes easier with this Safari improvement. When using Reader Mode, you can now tap a button to have Apple Intelligence summarize the article for you. This feature quickly distills the key points so you can get the gist of the content without reading every word.
Generate Apple Intelligence reports
If you’re curious about how Apple Intelligence works on your device, iOS 18.1 offers transparency through the new Apple Intelligence Report. This feature can be found in the Privacy & Security section of the Settings app and allows you to export your Apple Intelligence data. It requires Face ID authentication, so your privacy is protected while providing insight into how AI improves your iPhone experience.
