08/04/2025
Nicole Newton

What’s new in the iOS 18 system? Features, updates & compatible phones

If you’re an avid Apple fan, you may have heard all the ruckus about iOS 18 and what it has to offer – after all, it’s packed with exciting features, smart upgrades and powerful privacy improvements.

Whether you’re wondering what phones have iOS 18, curious about what’s new in iOS 18, or just need to know what phones will get iOS 18, we’ve got you covered! So, let’s take a deep dive into the iOS 18 update and everything it brings to the table.

In this blog:

What’s new in iOS 18?

From customisation to security, Apple has gone all-in with iOS 18. Here’s a breakdown of the coolest and most useful features:

Full customisation on your home screen

iOS 18 gives you more control than ever over your home screen. Now, you can place app icons anywhere – no more forced grids! Want an aesthetic vibe with your widgets on one side and apps on another? Go wild. You can even make apps and widgets appear larger.

Dark mode icons

In addition to icon freedom, iOS 18 introduces dark mode icons. When you switch your phone to dark mode, your app icons automatically adapt – a slick, seamless look that’s easy on the eyes. Plus, you can tint your app icons with any colour or have iOS suggest a colour that compliments your wallpaper.

Enhanced privacy with app lock

Worried about prying eyes? iOS 18 now lets you lock individual apps using Face ID, Touch ID or your passcode. Whether it’s your Notes app or social media, you control who sees what.

Smart AI and Siri upgrades

While Apple may be playing catch-up in the AI game, they’re catching up fast. Siri is smarter, faster and more context-aware than ever. It can now understand complex commands, handle follow-up questions and even summarise articles and messages.

iMessages get an upgrade

Say hello to new iMessage effects, scheduled messages and improved tapbacks. iOS 18 also adds RCS support (finally!), so your messages to Android friends won’t look like they’ve travelled back in time.

Apple Intelligence

While not available to all iPhone models compatible with iOS 18, Apple’s new generative AI tool was part of an iOS 18 update for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max models along with the entire iPhone 16 lineup. Those with compatible phones can benefit from smart text summarising, AI image generation and system-wide contextual suggestions. To find out more about what Apple Intelligence offers, check out our Apple Intelligence blog.

Security & privacy upgrades

Apple has always championed privacy, and iOS 18 phones are getting even more protection:

  • Privacy permissions: apps now need permission to access your entire photo library – or just specific images.
  • Hidden apps: you can now hide certain apps entirely from your home screen and app library. They’ll only be visible with authentication.
  • Secure password sharing: share passwords with family or teammates securely through iCloud Keychain, with full end-to-end encryption.

What phones will get iOS 18?

Now for the big question: what phones will get iOS 18? Apple’s keeping support wide, so if you’re rocking an iPhone XS or newer, you’re in luck.

Here’s the full list of compatible models:

  • iPhone 15 / 15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone XS / XS Max / XR
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

If you’re using any of the above models, you can install iOS 18 and enjoy all the new features (though some AI tools like Apple Intelligence may be limited to newer models).

What phones have iOS 18 right now?

As of the official rollout, any of the iPhones listed above can install iOS 18 – assuming you’ve downloaded the update! Just head to Settings > General > Software Update and check for the iOS 18 release.

So if you’ve been asking, ‘what’s new in iOS 18?’ or ‘what phones have iOS 18?’ – now you know!

If your phone’s not compatible but you want to upgrade to the latest software, or have iOS 18 but want Apple Intelligence, it might be time to upgrade to a newer model. Luckily, switching to a refurbished iPhone from musicMagpie is an easy way to get a newer phone for much less! Browse our range of refurbished phones today to find your next device.