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iPhone update 18.1 guide

Our iPhone update guide has all you need to level up your phone with the freshest software while we highlight some of the new features.

Custom image for iPhone update guide with an iPhone and the update icon

If you own an Apple smartphone, you should always make sure you’ve got the latest iPhone update. While new updates introduce new features and functionalities, they also bump up the security and do away with any software faults, making the iPhone experience even cleaner for day-to-day use. In this guide, we’ve got all the details on the latest iOS 18.1 update and how you can download it for yourself.

For more help to get around your Apple hardware, we’ve got guides on how to scan with iPhone, how to delete apps on iPhone, how to delete albums on iPhone, and how to use an iPhone flashlight. Or, if you’re looking for something fun to get into once the update is complete, check out our picks for the best iPhone games.

How do I get the latest iPhone update?

You can the latest iOS iPhone update, version 18.1, providing it’s part of the iPhone XR range or a more recent model. Unfortunately, any model pre-dating the iPhone XR isn’t able to update to the latest software, so if you want the freshest iOS, you may need to get a newer device. You can see the full list of compatible devices on the Apple support site.

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If you have an iPhone capable of upgrading to the most recent software update, follow these simple steps to update your Apple device.

  1. Plug your iPhone into a charger (updates can take a long time and drain a significant amount of battery)
  2. Unlock your iPhone
  3. Head to the ‘settings’ menu
  4. Select the ‘general’ option
  5. Hit ‘download and install’ at the bottom of the screen

What’s new to iPhone update 18.1?

The iOS 18.1 update is one of the biggest Apple operating system updates in years, providing plenty of new features and quality-of-life improvements. Considering the release of iOS 18.1 followed so quickly after the launch of version 18, we’ve also included some of the new features of the bigger update if you still haven’t updated from iOS 16 or 17.

Apple Intelligence

The arrival of iOS 18.1 saw the first slew of Apple Intelligence features for iPhone, including Writing Tools, Smart Replies, and Notification Summaries. We’re still waiting for Image Playground and Genmoji, but these features have a lot of utility and can help you communicate your ideas and find out information quickly and easily.

Game Mode

After years of waiting, we finally have a bonafide Game Mode for iPhone. It’s not as complex as we’ve seen from equivalent software on some Android phones, but that might be a good thing. So, what does it do? Well, it minimizes background apps to give you extra performance power to play with, reduces audio latency, and syncs up with any mobile gaming controller you might be using. If you enjoy a bit of iPhone gaming, it’s a fantastic addition.

Screenshot of iPhone's Game Mode running Zenless Zone Zero for iPhone update guide

RCS messaging

The arrival of RCS messaging is great news for iPhone users who spend time texting Android owners. RCS messaging has the perks of iMessage, in that you can see when someone is replying and see read receipts while communicating with any phone user. It also makes group texts between iPhone and Android users much easier, so you don’t have to use WhatsApp if you don’t want to.

Home screen customization

iOS 18 gives you more control over your home screen than ever before, with no restrictions stopping you from putting apps wherever you want them. You can also make apps bigger now, and apply dark or tinted color schemes, with endless aesthetic combinations to try out.

Screenshot from WWDC 2024 showing the control center update from the iPhone update iOS 18

Photos and Control Center redesigns

Both the Photos app and your iPhone’s Control Center benefit from a redesign with the iOS 18 update. Both are now much more user-friendly, with more customization options to move things around in Control Center and Photos benefitting from a streamlining and the end of tabs. Admittedly, Photos could still do with a little work, as Apple got some middling feedback during the iOS 18 beta, so expect that to change again in the future.

Security

The iOS 18 update has two new features for increased security. The first is the Passwords app, where you can manage your passwords and two-factor authentication settings. The second feature is the ability to apply Face ID security to specific apps, so no one can go snooping through anything you don’t want them to while using your phone.

When is the next major iPhone update?

We’re anticipating the next major iPhone update, iOS 18.2, to arrive in early 2025 2024. It should provide iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users and everyone with a new iPhone 16, access to the most exciting Apple Intelligence features, like ChatGPT-enhanced Siri and Genmoji. We’ll be back to update this page with everything new when the 18.2 update drops.

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With that, you’re up to date on the latest iPhone update for iOS 18.1. To find some fun titles to try on your newly updated device, see our picks for the best mobile MMORPGs. Or, if you’re thinking about trying something new, check out our guide to the best Android phones.