iOS 18 update is a mixed bag

Apple’s latest iPhone update has landed, bringing with it a mix of welcome improvements and puzzling changes. From a completely revamped Photos app to long-awaited messaging features, iOS 18 represents one of the most significant updates in recent years. Let’s dive into some of the biggest changes that might affect your daily iPhone use.

The Photos App Redesign

While not a complete trainwreck, the redesigned Photos app has left it undeniably worse for wear (just like the Ghan after its little prang last month). The removal of the bottom tabs section has resulted in a single-page feed with various sections for albums, media types, etc. You can customise these sections and their display order, but for me, iOS 18 has turned finding and browsing through my photos into a chore. I’m not alone — thousands of iPhone users have been taking to X/Twitter to complain. Not happy, Apple! The navigation feels especially clunky when you’re trying to quickly find specific photos from past events or searching through multiple albums. Even the simple task of creating a new album has become more complicated than necessary.

Calculator App Improvements

The revamped Calculator app is a genuine winner. The new ticker tape feature keeps a running list of your calculations and lets you delete only the last entry instead of clearing the whole lot. You can also draw mathematical symbols such as square roots or Greek letters, which is handy for more complex equations without adding interface clutter. While this update will be sad news for the many hobby developers who’ve peddled their $2.99 calculator apps on the App Store, for the rest of us, it’s long overdue. The handwriting recognition for mathematical symbols is surprisingly accurate, even with my barely legible scrawl, and the ability to copy individual results from your calculation history is a game-changer for students and professionals alike.

New Standalone Passwords App

Previously hidden within your iPhone’s labyrinthine Settings app, the built-in Passwords app is now a standalone feature that can be plonked straight onto your homescreen for easy access. If you’re an iOS user still memorising or (heaven forbid) writing down your passwords, now’s a great time to switch over to a password manager. It will simplify and secure-ify your digital life immensely. The app now includes password strength indicators, alerts for compromised credentials, and the ability to share passwords securely with family members. It’s also much better at suggesting strong passwords and remembering which accounts they belong to.

RCS Messaging Support

Apple have finally switched to RCS messaging between iOS and Android devices, and it’s about time. Long story short, you’ll now enjoy features like typing indicators and “Delivered” statuses while messaging your friends who use Android devices, as well as being able to send each other high-quality photos and videos. Group chats and message reactions have also been greatly improved, making cross-platform conversations feel much more natural. The one thing that hasn’t changed (and likely never will) is those ugly green message bubbles that show you’re not talking to a fellow member of the Apple master race. Just kidding! We love Android users too. This update marks a significant shift in Apple’s traditionally walled garden approach, and while it might seem like a small change, it’s a huge win for cross-platform communication.

Beyond these major changes, iOS 18 includes dozens of smaller improvements that enhance the overall user experience. From more refined haptic feedback to smarter autocorrect (finally fixing that ducking annoying issue), these little touches add up to make your iPhone feel more polished than ever.

Next week: We’ll take a deep dive into iOS 18’s new customisability features, including the revamped Control Centre, lockscreen buttons and icon themes.