Apple has announced the availability of public betas for iOS 18, iPadOS 18, macOS Sequoia, watchOS 11, and tvOS 18, following their launch at WWDC 2024.
New features: iOS 18 and iPadOS 18
Customization: iOS 18 introduces extensive customization options. Users can freely arrange icons on the home screen and customize their colors, including dark mode options. The Control Center now features paginated controls and supports third-party app integrations for quick access.
Privacy Features: Upgraded privacy settings allow users to lock or hide apps, manage permissions, and access a new Passwords app for securely storing credentials.
Photos App Redesign: The Photos app includes a redesigned interface for easier navigation and organization, with enhanced filters and intelligent grouping of photos.
Language and Transcription: New language capabilities include multilingual keyboards and improved transcription features across the system.
Calls and Messages: Updates to the Phone and Messages apps introduce search functions, scheduling messages, and RCS support for enhanced communication.
Other Additions
- Notes App: Supports audio recording, collapsible sections, math equation solving, and text highlighting.
- Journal App: Integrated mood and emotion logging, mindfulness minutes, widgets with prompts, and an insights view.
- Apple TV App: Insights tab for music tracks and actors on screen.
- Accessibility Features: Action triggers for sounds and eye tracking.
- Calendar App: Shows reminders and a new month view.
watchOS 11
Health Features
- Vitals App: Provides a daily overview of health metrics compared to previous weeks.
- Training Load: Measures workout intensity and duration, with effort levels for cardio workouts.
- Activity Ring Customization: Set different requirements for different days and support for rest days.
Other Features
- Smart Stack Widgets: New widgets for Translate and Shazam, with smarter suggestions.
- Interactive Widgets: Access app features from the Smart Stack.
- New Workout Types: More options for workouts, Check In for Messages, revamped Photos watch face, and Double Tap improvements.
macOS Sequoia
- Screen Mirroring: Mirror iPhone screens onto Macs.
- Window Tiling: Improved for easier multi-window setups.
- Safari: Summarizes websites and shows highlights.
- Messages App: Supports scheduling messages and using Tapback with any emoji.
tvOS 18
- InSight: Provides real-time information about actors, music, and more in Apple TV+ shows and movies.
- Enhanced Dialogue: Boosts vocal clarity using computational audio and machine learning.
- Subtitles: Automatically appear when relevant.
- Screen Savers: New options and easier swapping.
- Live Captions: Available during FaceTime calls.
Apple Intelligence (Not Available Yet)
iOS 18 introduces Apple Intelligence, integrating AI features such as Writing Tools and custom emoji. Siri is also revamped, but these features are not live in the betas.
How to Install iOS 18 Public Beta
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.
- Select iOS 18 Public Beta and tap Download and Install.
- Alternatively, use the Apple Beta Software Program page with your Apple ID.
Note: Betas may have bugs and battery issues, so it’s advisable to install them on secondary devices.
Supported Devices
- iPhone: iPhone 15 series, iPhone 14 series, iPhone 13 series, iPhone 12 series, iPhone 11 series, iPhone XS series, iPhone XR, iPhone SE (2nd-gen or later).
- iPad: iPad Pro (M4), iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd-gen or later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st-gen or later), iPad Air (M2), iPad Air (3rd-gen or later), iPad (7th-gen or later), iPad Mini (5th-gen or later).
For detailed installation instructions and to join the beta program, users can visit Apple’s Beta Software Program page and provide feedback through the Feedback Assistant app.