These 9 hidden iOS 18 features are game-changers for your iPhone
With so many features introduced in Apple's new iOS 18 update - and it's easy to overlook some goodies.
Here are nine hidden iOS 18 features that could change the way you use your iPhone:
1. Restart your iPhone from the new Control Center
No more should you press physical buttons to restart your iPhone, as it can all now be done from the device's Control Center.
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To do so, users need to swipe down from the top-right of the screen, press and hold the new power button in the top-right corner for about a second, and then the power-off slider should appear.
Of course, to turn it back on, you will need to use the physical side button.
2. Share Wi-Fi password with a QR code
Sharing your Wi-Fi password has become a much easier task.
Instead of sending the code to each person individually, you can now share it with anyone using a QR code, even if they’re not in your contacts or they’re using an Android phone.
Head to the new Passwords app, tap on the Wi-Fi section, select the network and tap 'Show Network QR Code.' When others scan the code with their camera, they’ll be connected to the Wi-Fi instantly.
3. Adjust flashlight's beam width
While changing the brightness of the flashlight is nothing new, iOS 18 lets users adjust the beam width of the light - so long as the device is compatible.
This feature will sit well with photography lovers as they'll have much more to play around with in the camera.
To use the new feature, turn on your flashlight from the lock screen or Control Center. The new interface will appear in the dynamic island.
Swipe left or right to adjust the beam width, and up or down to change the brightness.
4. Transcribe and search Voice Memos
The Voice Memos app has been upgraded in iOS 18 and makes searching much easier.
iPhone owners can now transcribe voice memos and search for words that were previously only available as audio waveforms.
Just open the Voice Memos app, select a recording, tap the 'Edit Recording' button (or the three dots next to the memo), and then hit the 'Transcribe' button. Tap 'Done.'
When you use the Search field, the app will search through transcripts and bring up the relevant results.
5. Hide app labels for a cleaner home screen
If your home screen feels a little too busy, iOS 18 can help you declutter by getting rid of app labels, - you know, the app names underneath each app icon.
After all, the app can usually be recognised by its logo, can't it?
To do this, press and hold on any blank space on your home screen until you enter "jiggle" mode. Next, hit Edit > Customize.
At the bottom of the screen, choose 'Large' and this will slightly enlarge the app icons, removing their labels.
6. Turn an app to a widget
If you're running iOS 18, and there's an app that you want to turn into a widget, you can switch to it directly without digging through the settings.
Press and hold down on the icon on your home screen to bring up the quick actions menu.
If the app has a widget, you'll see it displayed as widget icons next to the app icon. Tap on any of these to change the app to a widget.
7. Secretly identify songs using the Action Button
Yes, iOS 18 now lets you secretly identify songs without showing your friend you're using Shazam or Siri to do so.
Go to Settings > Action Button, then swipe through the options until you find Recognise Music.
Now, just press and hold the Action Button for a few seconds, and Shazam will do its thing and give you the info about the song playing. No one has to know you had a little help.
8. Search for handwriting and illustrations in Photos
Alongside the generative AI feature to remove objects in Photos next month, Apple has also introduced a library just for Handwriting.
Scroll down in the Photos app until you see 'Utilities.' There, you'll find new features like 'Handwriting' which pulls up images like handwritten text and 'Illustrations' which categorises things like drawings.
9. Share a specific podcast section
Oh yes, you don't have to endlessly scroll to find part of a podcast you want to share with a friend.
iOS 18 lets you send an episode starting from a specific time, making it easier to share those funny or wise bits.
In the Podcasts app, tap the 'Now Playing' bar at the bottom of the screen. This will show the playback controls and pause the episode.
Use the progress bar to go back to the start of the section you want to share.
Tap 'More' and choose 'Share Episode.'
From here, tap the times you wish to share and hit 'Done' when you're finished.