What new permissions appeared in iOS 18?

In iOS 18, several new permissions and changes to existing permissions were introduced to enhance transparency and control over user data. Here are the key updates:

1. Contacts Access:

   • iOS 18 provides more transparency about the information included in contacts and more control by allowing users to select specific contacts to share. For apps requesting ongoing access to more than a few contacts, the contacts prompt is now shown in two stages: first, asking if contacts should be shared, and second, providing the option of limited or full access (What’s new in privacy).

2. Bluetooth Access:

   • The Bluetooth authorization prompt has been updated to focus on transparency about the types of data shared with Bluetooth access and the potential privacy risks. The new prompt visualizes the data that will be made available to the app, including the current location of the device and associated devices (What’s new in privacy).

3. Local Network Access:

   • Changes to local network access permissions require apps to include a local network usage description in their info plist. This is necessary for apps or dependencies that include Bonjour browsing or advertising, custom multicast, custom broadcast, or unicast connections that rely on the local network (What’s new in privacy).

4. Locked and Hidden Apps:

   • A new system feature allows users to lock sensitive apps to protect the information inside them. This is useful when people hand their devices to others and want to ensure that sensitive areas of their phone remain secure (What’s new in privacy).

These updates are part of Apple's ongoing efforts to improve privacy and security, giving users more control over their data and how it is accessed by apps. For more detailed information, you can refer to the session What’s new in privacy.