Apple has begun the global rollout of iOS 18, iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, tvOS 18, and macOS Sequoia for its devices, following its announcement at WWDC in June.
iOS 18 -
iOS 18 introduces enhanced customization options for the Home Screen and Control Center, along with the most extensive redesign of the Photos app to date. It also brings significant upgrades to Messages and Mail. The Messages app now supports RCS, offering richer media sharing and more reliable group messaging compared to traditional SMS and MMS.
The Phone app includes new features to help users stay organized, such as the ability to record and transcribe live calls. Additionally, Apple introduced a new app, Passwords, built on Keychain, which provides a centralized location for managing passwords, passcodes, and verification codes.
iPadOS 18 -
iPadOS 18 introduces powerful new features that leverage the iPad’s unique capabilities, enhancing productivity. This update finally brings a Calculator app to the iPad, complete with Math Notes, and adds new Smart Script handwriting tools in the Notes app, designed specifically for Apple Pencil.
iPad users can also enjoy more options to customize the Home Screen and Control Center, along with the most extensive redesign of the Photos app, new expressive features in Messages, and much more.
watchOS 11 -
watchOS 11 introduces advanced health and fitness insights, along with more personalization, intelligence, and ways to stay connected, enhancing the world’s most popular smartwatch.
The Apple Watch now includes a feature to detect signs of sleep apnea, while the new Vitals app allows users to monitor key health metrics at a glance, providing better health context. A new training load measurement feature helps users make informed decisions during workouts to improve fitness and performance, and Activity rings offer more customization options. Additionally, Apple Watch and the Health app on iPhone and iPad provide expanded support for pregnant users.
Intelligent features like the Smart Stack and Photos face offer a more personalized experience, while new tools like Check In, the Translate app, and enhanced double-tap gesture controls make staying connected more convenient.
tvOS 18 -
tvOS 18 introduces smart features like InSight, which displays real-time information about actors, characters, and music from Apple TV+ movies and shows on screen.
Enhance Dialogue is improved using machine learning and computational audio for better vocal clarity. Subtitles now appear automatically at the right moments, such as when users mute, skip back, or when the language in the show differs from the device language. Additionally, tvOS 18 adds beautiful new screensavers, like Portraits, to Apple TV 4K.
macOS Sequoia -
macOS Sequoia brings exciting new capabilities, including iPhone Mirroring, which expands Continuity by allowing users to access and control their iPhone directly from macOS. Safari receives major updates, and a new Passwords app is introduced alongside several other enhancements.
VisionOS 2 -
visionOS 2 for Apple Vision Pro introduces innovative spatial computing experiences. Users can now convert existing photos into spatial images with impressive depth, while new hand gestures make navigation even more intuitive. Key visionOS apps and experiences receive powerful upgrades, elevating spatial computing to new heights.
Compatible Devices -
iOS 18 is available as a free update for iPhone Xs and newer, similar to iOS 17.
iPadOS 18 is supported on various iPad models, including the iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).
watchOS 11 is compatible with Apple Watch Series 6 and newer, requiring an iPhone XS or later running iOS 18.
tvOS 18 is available for Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, while visionOS 2 is supported on Apple Vision Pro.
macOS Sequoia is compatible with the iMac (2019 and later), iMac Pro (2017 and later), Mac Studio (2022 and later), MacBook Air (2020 and later), Mac mini (2018 and later), MacBook Pro (2018 and later), and Mac Pro (2019 and later).
Apple Intelligence -
Starting next month, iOS 18.1 will introduce Apple Intelligence, a personal intelligence system, in beta for the iPhone 16 series and iPhone 15 Pro series.
The Apple Intelligence beta will also be available with iPadOS 18.1 on iPads with M1 or later chips, and macOS Sequoia 15.1 will bring it to Macs. Additional features will roll out in the months following the initial release.
The initial launch will be in U.S. English, with more regions and languages—including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K.—to be added in December. Other languages like Chinese, French, Japanese, and Spanish will follow next year.
