What is new in iOS 18

iOS 18 introduces several new features and improvements across various aspects of the operating system. Here are some of the key updates:

1. UIKit Enhancements:

   • Document Launch Experience: Redesigned launch experience for document-based apps, allowing full control over launch views and template document creation.
   • Tabs and Sidebar: Major updates to tabs and sidebar, including new syntax in SwiftUI for tab views and better API for describing app hierarchy in UIKit.
   • Fluid Transitions: Support for new fluid transitions across the system.
   • SwiftUI Animations in UIKit: Improved integration between UIKit and SwiftUI.
   • Automatic Trait Tracking: Enhancements to automatically track UI traits.
   • List Improvements: Various improvements to list handling.
   • SF Symbol Animations: New animations for SF Symbols.
   • Sensory Feedback: Enhanced sensory feedback capabilities.
   • Text Improvements: Various text handling improvements.
   • Menu Actions: Enhanced menu actions.
   • Apple Pencil Pro and PencilKit: New features for Apple Pencil Pro and PencilKit.

   For more details, you can refer to the session What’s new in UIKit.

2. Privacy Enhancements:

   • Contacts Access: More transparency and control over access to contacts, with a new two-stage prompt for sharing contacts.
   • Bluetooth and Local Network Access: Improved transparency and control over access to local network and Bluetooth.
   • Locked and Hidden Apps: New controls to lock apps using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode, and the ability to hide apps from the home screen.

   For more details, you can refer to the session What’s new in privacy.

3. Device Management:

   • MDM Enrollment: Special exception for enrolling an MDM on a newly set up device without causing a security delay.
   • eSIM Setup: Easier setup for eSIM using QR codes or links.
   • Private Cellular Network Payloads: Support for multiple private 5G or LTE networks.
   • App Locking and Hiding: New controls for locking and hiding apps.

   For more details, you can refer to the session What’s new in device management.

4. Customization and Controls:

   • Controls API: New API to create controls that can be added to the control center or assigned to the action button on iPhone 15 Pro.
   • App Icons and Widgets: App icons and widgets can now appear light, dark, or with a tint, providing a consistent visual experience across the home screen.

   For more details, you can refer to the session Platforms State of the Union.

5. Multilingual Features:

   • Multilingual Keyboard: New keyboard that lets you type in more than one language without manually switching.
   • Live Text: Support for more languages, including Arabic.
   • Personalized Numerals: Support for additional Indian scripts.

   For more details, you can refer to the session Build multilingual-ready apps.

These updates provide developers with new tools and capabilities to enhance their apps and offer users a more customizable and secure experience on iOS 18.