Apple is expected to release iOS 18.1 on Monday, October 28th, bringing the first set of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models. This update marks the first significant step forward in Apple’s AI integration, delivering a new Siri context-aware experience and a variety of additional features that leverage on-device machine learning and large-scale language models. There are also some new feature controls not related to AI.
Although not all Apple Intelligence features are available out-of-the-box, iOS 18.1 introduces several enhancements aimed at making iPhone smarter and more intuitive. Below, we’ve listed 18 new features you’ll be able to do on your iPhone when the update goes live later this month.
Reset control center
With iOS 18, Apple has made Control Center deeply customizable, but there’s no way to roll back changes if things get messy. Luckily, iOS 18.1 introduces an easy way to start fresh. There is a new option in Settings → Control Center to reset the Control Center to its default layout. This feature is great if you have too many customizations and want to go back to a clean slate without manually rearranging everything.
Other control center buttons
Apple has introduced new separate toggles for Satellite and AirDrop in Control Center, allowing users to add them as separate buttons to their Control Center settings for the first time. Previously, both features were only available through the combined connection controls.
Take selfies with camera control
Camera Control will be upgraded to Selfie in iOS 18.1. Now you can switch to the front camera without touching the screen. Simply press the camera control button to open the camera app, then swipe the button to cycle through lens options. Look for the person icon at the top to launch the selfie camera and easily capture the perfect selfie.
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 select “TikTok” from the list of apps.
Detection of sleep apnea syndrome
iOS 18.1 adds support for sleep apnea detection and breathing disturbance measurements on Apple Watch Series 10 and Apple Watch Ultra 2. After updating to iOS 18.1, you can enable alerts for sleep apnea by searching for breathing problems in the Health app. You won’t receive a notification until your Apple Watch has collected at least 10 days of data. Analysis occurs every 30 days. Please note that data collection for sleep apnea and breathing disorders begins only after updates are installed and alerts are activated.
proofread the text
Embarrassing typos may be a thing of the past. New Writing Tools features in iOS 18.1 include powerful proofreading features. It not only checks for spelling and grammar mistakes, but also suggests improvements to your word choice and sentence structure. You can accept all suggestions with one tap, or review them one by one with explanations.
rewrite the text
Need to change the tone of your message? The new Rewrite tool can do just that. Whether you want your text to sound more friendly, professional, or concise, this feature allows you to adjust the writing style without changing the core content. It’s like having a personal editor at your fingertips, allowing you to communicate more effectively in any situation.
Summarize long emails
If you frequently suffer from inbox overload, this is a welcome feature. When you receive a long email, you’ll now see a Summary button that allows Apple Intelligence to create a concise summary. Choose from options like short paragraphs, main points, and even bulleted lists. This tool allows you to quickly and easily get the essence of important messages without having to read every word. Additionally, your inbox now shows a quick AI-generated summary instead of the first few lines of each email, allowing you to prioritize your responses more efficiently.
Answer Apple product questions
Turn your iPhone into a knowledgeable Apple expert with iOS 18.1. Siri now has a vast database of product information available to help you understand your device’s features, find settings, and provide tutorials on how to complete tasks. It’s like having Apple Support built into your device and always available when you need it.
Provide smart replies to emails and messages
Enhance your communications with Smart Reply in iOS 18.1. When you receive an email or message, iPhone analyzes the content and suggests appropriate responses based on the context. These quick-tap options make it easy to respond quickly and appropriately, saving time and effort in your daily interactions.
Summarize multiple message notifications
It’s much easier to keep up with what’s going on in your group chats. iOS 18.1 lets you summarize multiple message notifications on the lock screen, giving you a quick overview without opening the app. This feature allows you to stay on top of conversations without being overwhelmed by notifications.
Create a memory movie from a short explanation
Easily relive your favorite moments with the new Memory Movie feature. Just enter a description, like “My Cat in 2024” or “Summer Orlando,” and iPhone will automatically select relevant photos and select the appropriate music. You can further customize the atmosphere and add specific scenes to turn your memories into a beautiful short film with minimal effort.
Remove unnecessary objects from photos
Perfect your photos with new cleanup tools. This feature allows you to easily remove unwanted objects from your images. Whether it’s a photo bomber or a distracting element in the background, you can now make objects disappear by tapping on them, drawing in a circle, or drawing over them with a brush. This tool is powerful enough to preserve important elements, ensuring that the main subject matter remains intact.
Summarize the audio transcript
Convert long recordings into easy-to-understand content with new transcription features. When you record audio in apps like Notes, iPhone can now provide a transcript along with a summary. This is especially useful when capturing and extracting information from lectures, meetings, or interviews, making it easy to review and share key points.
reduce interruptions
Take control of your notifications with a new reduced-disruption focus mode. This intelligent feature filters alerts to display only the most important notifications that require immediate attention. Useful when you need to concentrate but don’t want to miss important information.
record a call
iOS 18.1 introduces call recording. During a call, a record button will appear in the top left corner of the display. Tap on it and the call will be recorded after notifying all participants. These recordings are saved in the Notes app, where you can access transcripts and AI-generated summaries, making it easy to review important conversations.
Summarize a web article
These improvements to Safari will make reading long articles even easier. When using Reader Mode, you can now tap a button to have Apple Intelligence summarize an article. This feature allows you to quickly extract key points and get the essence of the content without having to read every word.
Generating an Apple Intelligence report
If you want to know how Apple Intelligence is working on your device, iOS 18.1 provides transparency through the new Apple Intelligence Report. This feature, located in the Privacy & Security section of the Settings app, allows you to export your Apple Intelligence data. Face ID authentication is required to ensure your privacy is protected while providing insight into how AI is improving your iPhone experience.
