While the new AI features will steal the show at WWDC next week, Apple has a number of other changes planned for iOS 18. This includes new home screen customization options, design changes and more. Head below for a rundown of some of the non-AI features rumored for iOS 18 this year.
Place icons anywhere on the home screen
Rumor has it that Apple will allow users to freely place app icons and widgets on their home screen for the first time. This means iPhone users will be able to break free from the current landline network and create gaps between widgets and app icons.
This matches the functionality provided in Android. Additionally, the iPad currently allows users to place widgets (but not app icons) anywhere on the home screen.
Theme application icons
Another big change coming to the iOS 18 home screen will be the ability to customize app icons. According to Bloombergthis new feature will allow users to “change the color of app icons” at a system level for the first time.
We’re still waiting for more details on how exactly this will work. Example provided by Bloomberg suggests that you can “make all your social icons blue or those related to finance green”.
Apple Maps improvements
Apple Maps will reportedly add support for a new custom route creation feature with iOS 18.
Creating a custom route would allow iPhone users to design their own specific routes for a trip, rather than relying on one of the routes suggested by Apple Maps. Currently, Apple Maps offers several route options to your destination, but this feature in iOS 18 will give you full control over the exact details of your trip.
Reconstruction of the Control Center
According to Bloomberg, iOS 18 will bring a revamped Control Center functionality to iPhone users. The new Control Center design will feature an updated music widget, as well as improvements to HomeKit integration.
Currently, iOS will “intelligently” choose up to six accessories to display in the Home section of Control Center. However, this layout is automatically managed and isn’t always great at presenting the exact controls that users are looking for. until Bloomberg doesn’t offer specific details on what iOS 18 will do to improve HomeKit support in Control Center, ideally one area of focus will be giving users that added customization.
Text effects in Messages
A report last week suggested that iOS 18 will add text effect support to the Messages app. According to MacRumorsthis feature will allow users to “add animations to individual words within a message.”
New Settings app
Finally, iOS 18 is said to include a new version of the Settings app for iPhone users. The new Settings app will supposedly feature a revamped interface with improved organization, as well as a more powerful search to easily find the settings you’re looking for.
9to5Mac’s Take
While I’m excited to see AI features in iOS 18, I can’t help but think that many iPhone users will be more interested in the new home screen customization options. The release of iOS 14 in 2020 with homescreen support fueled a viral ecosystem of users looking to customize their homescreen. It looks like iOS 18 will offer some of the additional customization options that users have been asking for ever since.
What are you most excited to see in iOS 18? Tell us below in the comments.
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