iOS 18.1 is one of the most anticipated updates following the September release. It brings several special features, such as the ability to record voice calls, a new front camera control system, spatial photos, and new functions to help monitor hearing health using the AirPods Pro 2. Most importantly, it introduces Apple Intelligence and all its related features that Apple has been announcing over the past few months but were not yet available. Now, these features are finally accessible on all compatible iPhones.
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There are also nice improvements, including new options to add individual connectivity controls and reset your Control Center settings. Additionally, it supports RCS Business Messaging and offers natural language search in the App Store.
In addition to the key new features, iOS 18.1 also fixes some frustrating bugs. For example, it resolves the issue where videos recorded in 4K at 60fps while the device was hot could be deleted. It also addresses unexpected restarts that occurred at inconvenient times on the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro.
The main highlight of iOS 18.1 is Apple Intelligence.
The main new features of iOS 18.1 come from Apple Intelligence. Unfortunately, it will only be available in a limited number of countries and in English at launch. Spanish support is expected in 2025, and Apple has confirmed that it will arrive in Europe in the spring, although no specific date has been provided. If you are one of the fortunate users who can access Apple Intelligence, here are the new features. Please note that it is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro and newer models:
New Writing Tools
Writing tools are available almost anywhere you write, allowing you to rewrite, correct, and summarize text directly in the app you’re using. These tools include:
- Rewrite: This feature suggests different versions of your text, helping you choose the flow and style you prefer.
- Proofread: It shows suggested improvements for your writing, such as grammar corrections and language enhancements.
- Summarize: You can select text wherever you’re typing and generate a high-quality summary.
New Siri
- Siri has a fresh look that wraps around the edge of your screen, intelligently animating with the sound of your voice. This allows you to keep using apps or typing while you talk to Siri.
- You can also type to Siri by double-tapping at the bottom of the screen if you prefer not to speak out loud.
- Siri’s speech understanding has been improved, allowing it to continue the conversation even if you stumble or change your mind mid-sentence.
- Additionally, context is maintained throughout a session, making it easier to refer back to something you recently asked or something Siri mentioned earlier. Voice improvements make Siri sound more natural.
Improvements in Photos
The Photos app now allows you to search for photos and videos by simply describing what you’re looking for.
The Clean Up feature lets you remove distractions from your photos for a cleaner look.
You can also create video memories by describing what you want to see.
Notifications
New notification summaries make it easier to catch up on your alerts by providing a quick overview of the most important information.
Reduced Interruptions
A new approach ensures that only the most urgent notifications reach you while silencing potential distractions.
Smart Reply in Mail and Messages allows you to quickly respond with suggested responses.
Priority Messages in Mail understand the content of your messages and highlight those that need your attention, displaying them at the top of your inbox.
Transcription Summaries in Notes provide an intelligently created summary of the transcript from your audio recording or call.
iOS 18.1 is now available to all users with compatible devices through system settings. Keep in mind that the availability of many features depends on your iPhone model and whether Apple Intelligence is accessible in your region.