Just like every WWDC, Apple gave us a preview of what iOS 18 will bring to the table in September 2024. It introduces several exciting new features, including home screen customization, a revamped control center, Apple Intelligence, and more.
However, due to the sheer number of changes, Apple couldn’t cover everything in the WWDC keynote. As a result, numerous features and enhancements added to iOS 18 weren’t mentioned. But don’t worry, we’ll cover them all in this article for you.
Top 15 Hidden iOS 18 Features/Changes
We have managed to gather fifteen iOS features and changes that were not mentioned by Apple at the WWDC event.
1. Listen to Music and Record Videos
iOS 18 finally lets users listen to music and record videos at the same time. Earlier, you would have to pause your music to be able to record a video. Now, there’s no need to do that. Simply start recording and the music will continue to play in the background.
2. Music Haptics
Speaking of music, Apple has introduced Music Haptics to let deaf users enjoy the beats with the help of the haptics on their iPhone. This means that people with hearing loss or other similar issues can also enjoy the music. Users who don’t have a hearing loss can also enable this feature to feel the music as they are listening to it.
3. Eye Tracking
The next feature that went off the radar was eye tracking. Eye Tracking is an accessibility feature that allows users to control their iPhone using just their eyes. The feature is still in beta and it should get better over the course of the next few months.
4. Flashlight Width
Earlier, with the flashlight in the Dynamic Island, you could only turn it on or off. With iOS 18, you can adjust the flashlight’s width. Of course, you can also adjust the intensity of the flashlight too. The UI and the UX of the toggle are really worth trying out.
5. Volume Button and Power Button Animations
Another cool change in iOS 18 is the addition of a new animation when pressing the volume or power button. When you press either button, the bezel briefly appears to pop into the screen. The volume slider wiggles if you press and release the buttons continuously but remains steady if you press and hold the buttons.
6. Phone App Changes (T9 Dialing)
Yes, finally! iOS 18 brings T9 dialing to the iPhone. When you dial a number, suggestions automatically appear at the top. The phone app also now allows you to search through your call history. However, you can no longer dial a contact by simply tapping on it from the call history menu; you have to tap on the call icon instead.
7. Apple Music Changes
In iOS 18, the music queue has been updated with larger, more accessible shuffle, repeat, and autoplay icons now positioned at the top middle. “Playing Next” is officially renamed to “Queue,” and you can now clear the entire queue, not just the history.
Songs added to the queue are placed at the end of the current list instead of the very end. Additionally, the AirPlay platter has a new rounded look, is less opaque, and features a thicker underline with a slightly changed font.
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8. Photos App Video Player
The video player in the Photos app has a new look. The scrubber is different from iOS 17 (similar to the Safari video player), and the mute button is now easier to access, positioned within a thumb’s reach instead of at the bottom of the screen.
9. Math Notes (on iOS, too)
Math Notes is the new highlighting feature of the iPadOS 18’s calculator app. Initially, we assumed that the feature is only available for the iPad but we were wrong (we’re happy about that). You can use Math Notes on the iOS calculator app, too. You can handwrite calculations, expressions, or equations, and get them solved automatically by the Calculator app.
10. Settings App Revamp
iOS 18 brings a major revamp to the Settings app. Battery, Accessibility, Camera and other menus have been moved to the top for quicker access. Additionally, there’s a new menu called “Apps” where you can find all your apps instead of having to scroll endlessly. Plus, you can now search within the Apps menu, making it even easier to find what you need.
Additionally, when you open a settings menu, you’ll find a new summary of the menu. Apple ID has been renamed to Apple Account. Search is now a bit different, where it now shows you search suggestions alongside the recents.
The iCloud page has been redesigned with a SUBSCRIBER EDITION badge, a compact storage menu with cool animations, and a new iCloud Backup interface showing the last backup time directly.
11. Battery Optimization
Charging Optimization has been renamed to just Charging with a new sliding scale to set the maximum charging limit (increments of five), allowing more flexibility beyond the previous options of 80%, Optimize Battery Charging, or None. Notably, this feature seems to only be available on the newer iPhone 15 series models.
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12. Rainbow Clock Style
With iOS 18, you can now select a gradient or a rainbow style color for your clock. Notably, this color only applies to the clock and not the rest of the elements on your lock screen, like the widgets and the lock screen shortcuts.
13. Monthly View in the Calendar App
Up until iOS 18, you couldn’t view all your events in a monthly format. Now, with the new Details view, the width of each date has been adjusted to accommodate any events or reminders, displaying them directly on the calendar without needing to open each date. You can also zoom in and out to create more space in the Calendar app.
14. Today’s View in the Calendar App
The Today’s View has also been revamped in the Calendar app. Plus, the Reminders have now been merged into the Calendar app. So, you don’t have to jump back and forth between both apps to set reminders.
15. Power Off Shortcut
Now, you can tap the Power icon on the Control Center to quickly enter the Power Off menu. There’s still no option to restart your iPhone with a single button, but this is a welcome addition.
This is just the beginning
These were all the hidden iOS 18 features spotted in the first developer beta. Stay tuned as we explore more new and exciting features in the upcoming developer beta and the public beta. Did you find any hidden iOS 18 features on your iPhone? Let us know in the comments section below.
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