Apple is rolling out iOS 18.1, along with iPadOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, introducing Apple Intelligence—an exciting new suite of AI features.
Apple Intelligence introduces many exciting features, including Writing Tools for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text almost anywhere you type. Siri is smarter and more visually appealing, now using ChatGPT for certain queries. Photos get an upgrade with the Clean Up feature to remove distractions and the ability to search by description. There’s also a new Focus mode called Reduce Interruptions, which prioritizes only the most important notifications, along with enhancements to Mail.
In addition to the AI features, iOS 18.1 includes Camera Control improvements for all 2024 iPhone models, allowing quick switching to the front camera. The iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max also gain a new Spatial camera mode for photo and video capture. Plus, there’s a new AirPods Hearing Test feature, along with Hearing Aid functionality and Hearing Protection mode, compatible with AirPods 2.
Here is the complete list of changes in this update:
- Apple Intelligence (All iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max)
- Writing Tools
- Writing Tools: Available in almost any app for rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text.
- Rewrite: Suggests alternative versions of your text for better flow and wording.
- Proofread: Provides grammar and language improvement suggestions.
- Summarize: Generates high-quality summaries from selected text.
- Siri
- New Look: Features a glowing light around the screen that responds to your voice while you continue to scroll or type.
- Type to Siri: Use the double tap option at the bottom of the screen to type requests instead of speaking.
- Improved Language Understanding: Siri can better follow your words, even if you stumble or change your mind.
- Maintained Context: Siri remembers previous requests, allowing for more natural conversations.
- Product Knowledge: Provides answers to thousands of questions about Apple products’ features and settings.
- Voice Enhancements: Siri sounds more natural, expressive, and clear.
- Photos
- Photos search lets you find photos and videos simply by describing what you’re looking for
- Clean Up removes distractions in your photos
- Memory movies can be created by describing the story you want to see
- Notifications
- Notification Summaries: Quick overview of important notifications.
- Reduce Interruptions: Focus mode that allows urgent notifications while silencing others.
- Smart Reply: Suggested responses in Mail and Messages.
- Priority Messages: Highlights important emails at the top of your inbox.
- Transcription Summaries: Automatically summarizes audio or call transcripts in Notes.
- Writing Tools
- Phone
- Call recordings and transcriptions let you record live calls and transcribe them in the Notes app, with an automatic announcement that the call is being recorded
- Camera
- Camera Control: Quickly switches to the front TrueDepth Camera on iPhone 16 models.
- Spatial Capture: New Spatial camera mode for photos and videos on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max.
- AirPods
- Hearing Test: Home-based, scientifically validated test for users 18 and older.
- Hearing Aid: Personalized, clinical-grade assistance for mild to moderate hearing loss (18+).
- Hearing Protection: Reduces exposure to loud noises (available in the U.S. and Canada).
- Compatibility: Requires AirPods Pro 2 with firmware 7B19 or later; features may vary by region. https://apple.com/airpods-pro/feature-availability/
This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- Control Center has new options to add connectivity controls individually and reset your configuration
- RCS Business Messaging lets you connect with businesses over RCS (requires carrier support)
- App Store search lets you use natural language to find what you’re looking for more easily
- Game Center friend invites can be sent directly from the Contacts app and Friend Suggestions, and receivers can see the invites in the inbox in Settings
- Fixes an issue in Podcasts where unplayed episodes are marked as played
- Fixes an issue where videos recorded at 4K 60 while the device is warm could experience stutter while scrubbing the video playback in Photos
- Fixes an issue where digital car keys may not unlock or start a vehicle with passive entry after restoring from a backup or transferring directly from another iPhone
- Fixes an issue where iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro models may unexpectedly restart
iOS 18.1 and the other updates are now available for all compatible devices. Keep in mind that Apple Intelligence is currently only accessible in US English, and you might need to wait in a virtual queue before it’s enabled for you.
