iOS 18 is one step closer to being released to everyone. To compensate the waiting time, Apple decided to release Beta 2 for early testing.
Image Source: Ngantech
Apple already announced iOS 18 and MacOS Sequoia spoiler in WWDC 2024 since two weeks ago. And just a few days ago, Apple brought a new software update called “iOS 18 Beta 2”. If your iPhone supports this update, you can taste a little bit of early features from iOS 18. Keep in mind that the beta 2 version is still in development and still not ready for public release; you probably experience buggy features or some unresponsive apps.
Iphone 15 users received software update called iOS 18 Beta 2 (Image Source: Youtube/Nick Ackerman)
Although some improvements in iOS 18 are quite generic, such as better security, improved Siri AI, and a better game-performance mode. Still, some features are considered life improvements, and one of them might be a life-changer for everyone.
iOS 18 Supported Devices
Most iPhones like iPhone SE 2nd generation and newer supports iOS 18.
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE 2nd Generation
Customize your Home Screen Theme
If you’re bored with simplistic default iOS apps, then iOS 18 finally added this feature. Now, you can change your home screen theme based on your personality by changing the color of your apps. iOS also picks the screen theme based on your theme (For example, if you love to fancy yourself with a red dress, then iOS will automatically select a red theme for you).
iOS 18 users now able to change home screen theme, or keep the classic layout (Image Source: Apple)
In home-screen theme customization, you can change app icons up to 4 styles: Automatic, Dark, Light, and Tinted. Change the color and saturation, icon size, and use a color picker based on your wallpaper. This feature may not change your third-party apps and games except for icon size.
iOS 18 allows you to pick the color theme and icon size through customization (Image Source: Apple)
Hide your Apps on Home Screen
Not enough with theme customization on your home screen? Then you can be more secure with the “Hide Apps” feature on your home screen. You can enable this “Hide Apps” security by adding Face ID security into your iPhone. If that “Hide Apps” feature is working properly, the other user who is holding your phone only can see your hidden apps through the Hidden folder in your home screen (but it is not perfect yet, since these hidden apps aren’t fully hidden). Additionally, some apps from the settings menu, like Treble Threat, are still visible (but the user still needs to use Face ID to open Treble Threat).
Using the Hide Apps feature in home screen through iOS 18 (Image Source: Apple)
Use your Mac to control your iPhone with iPhone Mirroring
Mac users will receive good news, and it may be considered the biggest feature of iOS 18. If you have a Mac with macOS Sequoia version, you can wirelessly mirror your iPhone and use it your iPhone with desktop control. You can type messages or notes from your iPhone with your Mac keyboard, swipe the screen, or open iPhone apps with your touchpad/mouse.
With iPhone Mirroring, Mac users can see iPhone notifications on the desktop (you don’t need to swipe your iPhone screen to see notifications; the Mac will automatically gather these notifications by itself). iPhone users can also disconnect the mirroring accessibility if they unintentionally connect their iPhones with other Mac users.
Currently, there’s no announcement if Mac users with older versions (Big Surf, Monterey, Ventura, Sonoma) can use iPhone Mirroring on iOS 18.
iPhone Mirroring with MacOS Sequoia (Image Source: Apple)
Other New Features You May Need to Know in iOS 18
While some features are considered major improvements, only some new features or improvements are regarded as big improvements. However, they are still quite valuable if you want to know more about iOS 18 Beta 2.
- Use Send Later to schedule your message in case if you forget to send it.
- Passwords app allows you to secure your passwords on any Apple device (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro) and Windows.
- With Game Mode, your iPhone will minimize any background apps and keep the high-frame performance for endurance gaming.
- Voice Isolation can bring a clearer and louder voice when calling someone with mics on AirPods Pro. Even when you’re in a stormy, windy, or any place with a high-noise background, this Voice Isolation feature will do it for you.
Closing Words
iOS 18 Beta 2 brought a partial spoiler before Apple can announce it worldwide in a few months. Some features might be groundbreaking, such as iPhone mirroring on Mac devices. But remember that phone Mirroring existed many years ago, especially for Android phones. But still, Apple did a good job bringing more facilities for Apple devices.
