Essential iPhone Settings to Adjust Immediately After Upgrading to iOS 18.5

Apple has recently launched iOS 18.5 for the iPhone, marking what may be the final significant update before the highly anticipated iOS 19 announcement at next month’s WWDC. With each new update, it becomes essential to revisit the settings to ensure users are not overlooking any new features hidden amidst daily usage. Below are ten notable highlights from the latest iOS update that users might find useful.

Additionally, iOS 18 introduces the first wave of Apple Intelligence features. It’s worth checking which functionalities could enhance your daily use. If you prefer to wait before diving into these AI features, you can learn how to disable Apple Intelligence entirely.

For further insights on the new features in iOS 18, take a look at the revamped Calculator and Mail apps. Don’t forget to check our upgrade checklist, which emphasizes the importance of backing up your device before proceeding with the update.

Turn Off Categories in the Mail App

Email management can vary from person to person. Traditionally, the Mail app has displayed messages in a chronological list, which can become overwhelming for those receiving numerous promotions and notifications. The new categorization feature creates virtual sections for Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions, attempting to organize messages accordingly.

If this organization method does not work for you, there are a couple of alternatives:

First, if categories are somewhat useful but you prefer a chronological view, simply swipe to the far right of the categories and select All Mail.

Secondly, to disable categories completely, tap the three-dot menu (…) located in the upper right corner and choose List View.

Customize the Lock Screen Buttons

The bottom corners of the iPhone lock screen are crucial, easily accessible for quick interactions. Before iOS 18, this space was occupied by the camera and flashlight buttons. However, the latest update allows users to change these buttons or remove them completely. This is especially beneficial for those who accidentally activate the flashlight frequently.

In iOS 18, users can now add functionalities such as Shazam for song recognition, Dark Mode toggle, alarm settings, and more. Here’s how to customize your lock screen buttons:

1. On your lock screen, press and hold until the Customize button appears. Unlock your phone using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.

2. Tap Customize and select Lock Screen.

3. To remove a button, tap the – (minus) button on the desired icon.

4. To assign a new function, tap the space where the button was and select your desired action.

5. Repeat these steps for any additional buttons you wish to modify.

6. Tap Done when finished, and then tap the lock screen to exit customization.

Prioritize Important Notifications

With iOS 18.4, a new feature called Prioritize Notifications becomes available for iPhone models equipped with Apple Intelligence. Access this function through Settings > Notifications. Under Apple Intelligence, tap Prioritize Notifications. This feature helps discern between important and less critical alerts. For example, messages from known contacts may take precedence over random spam.

Utilize the Action Button on Newer Models

With the introduction of the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro, 16, and 16E models, users can replace the traditional mute switch with a customizable control that can perform various tasks. This button can initiate Silent Mode, open the camera, or even execute multiple actions, enhancing usability. The iOS 18.4 update adds Visual Intelligence functionalities, providing even broader capabilities. To change the Action Button’s function, navigate to Settings > Action Button and select your preferred action.

Transform Your Home Screen

In iOS 18, users gain the ability to arrange app icons in a more freeform manner compared to previous versions. This newfound flexibility allows apps to be positioned without adhering strictly to a grid. Users can make their wallpaper images, such as photos of loved ones, more prominent without icons obstructing them. Additionally, Dark Mode can now apply to the entire home screen.

For app arrangement, simply press and hold the home screen until the jiggle mode activates, then drag icons to the desired locations. To adjust Dark Mode settings, enter the home screen’s edit mode and select your preferred theme.

Revamp Your Control Center

The Control Center in iOS 18 transforms into a customizable layout. Users can rearrange controls, resize them for more information, and even add new controls across different screens. Access this feature by swiping down from the upper-right corner. Enter edit mode by holding or pressing the + button at the upper left.

To reposition controls, drag them to your desired location. Many controls also have a handle to resize them for better clarity.

Lock or Hide Sensitive Apps

With iOS 18, users can gain added control over their privacy by locking or hiding apps. For instance, if you want to secure sensitive information in the Notes app, you can lock the entire app by long-pressing the icon and selecting Require Face ID or Require Touch ID. To access hidden apps, navigate to the App Library and locate the Hidden folder.

Disable Loop Videos in Photos

iOS 18.2 introduces an option to turn off the loop feature for videos in the Photos app. Users can go to Settings > Photos and disable Loop Videos, allowing videos to stop at their end without continuous playback.

New Calendar View Options

The Calendar app receives two significant updates that enhance user experience. The Month view now allows users to pinch to zoom for more or fewer details, while the Day view introduces a Multi Day view, which displays events from two consecutive days.

Enhance Dialogue in the TV App

The TV app has introduced a feature aimed specifically at improving dialogue clarity during shows and movies. By selecting the Enhance Dialogue option, viewers can reduce background noise significantly, ensuring that conversations are clearer and more audible.

These are just a few highlights of the new functionalities and changes brought by iOS 18. For further insights into Apple Intelligence and how these features harmonize with the latest iPhone models, additional exploration is encouraged.