iOS 18.1 is a big release for iPhone users, thanks in large part to Apple Intelligence. But what if you don’t have an AI-enabled iPhone, are in the EU or China, or just don’t care much about AI?Here are five reasons to upgrade to iOS 18.1 anyway.
Call recording with phone app
iOS 18.1 adds a new built-in feature for recording calls within the Phone app. No more need to install another third-party app for recording. Simply press the new icon in the top left corner of your screen during a call to notify the person you’re talking to that recording has started. When the call ends, iOS provides a transcript for your convenience.
Powerful new features in AirPods Pro 2
AirPods Pro 2 receive a major upgrade with iOS 18.1, adding three hearing health features: Hearing Test, Hearing Protection, and Hearing Aid. Apple says the vast majority of users haven’t had a hearing test recently, and iOS 18.1 makes it possible to do so without any additional equipment or medical costs. The addition of these health features can truly change a user’s life.
New control center toggle
iOS 18 introduced a fully customizable Control Center with a huge number of available controls. iOS 18.1 is added to that list of options. There are new controls in the Measure app, but what users will probably appreciate most are the new standalone connection controls for AirDrop, Satellite, VPN, and Wi-Fi. You can now also reset the Control Center to factory settings.
Apple Music enhancements
Apple Music has two new features in iOS 18.1: TikTok sharing and a customizable iPad tab bar. The former makes it easy to share music to TikTok the way you’ve been able to do it on Instagram for years. The latter is a handy tool for creating shortcuts to the sections, playlists, and folders you use most often within the iPadOS Music app.
Major security fixes
Apple always includes various security updates with new software versions, and iOS 18.1 is no exception. The latest software release adds security fixes for vulnerabilities related to Siri, Safari Private Browsing and Downloads, the Shortcuts app, and more. Here is the complete list of security updates:
iOS 18.1 Summary
There’s a lot more to enjoy in iOS 18.1. Of course, the most important of these additions is the included Apple Intelligence feature. However, there are some additional features beyond AI, as well as various bug fixes.
Have you upgraded to iOS 18.1? What are your favorite additions? Let us know in the comments.
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