You'll find a handful of impressive features baked into Apple's iOS 18.1, including Apple Intelligence
5 Reasons You Shouldn’t Ignore the Latest iPhone Update
Published on Oct. 31, 2024
If you’re one of those people who sees an iPhone update notification and thinks, I should do that … then promptly clicks “ignore,” it’s time to update your phone to iOS 18.1. I’ll tempt you with the most important reasons first: Doing so squashes known bugs, enhances security and optimizes performance. Those aren’t flashy features, but as a journalist and author who’s written about tech for the past 30 years, I can tell you they’re crucial.
Of course, an operating system update often adds new features too. And as Apple’s much-hyped iOS 18.1 finally rolls out to iPhone users, one feature in particular is getting major buzz: AI. “Apple Intelligence,” as the company calls it (as opposed to the usual “artificial intelligence”), is designed to put the “smart” back into smartphones. On compatible iPhones, it adds a slew of helpful tools to help you get more done in less time.
Need further convincing? We’ve got plenty of iPhone tips that’ll help you make the most of your device. Read on for five reasons to install iOS 18.1, from AI integration to a hearing aid feature.
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How do you get iOS 18.1 and Apple Intelligence?
Any iPhone that can run last year’s software, iOS 17, can install iOS 18.1. That includes any of these models:
- iPhone X
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 16
- iPhone SE (second- and third-generation models)
One big caveat: While there is more to iOS 18.1 than Apple Intelligence, those who want to use the AI features must have an iPhone 15 Pro or Pro Max, or any of this year’s entire iPhone 16 family. Your language and Siri also need to be set to U.S. English.
If you don’t know what iPhone model you have, go to the Settings app, select “General” and then select “About.” You’ll find the information listed in the Model Name field.
How do you update to iOS 18.1?
Updating your iPhone is easy, but smart users take the extra step to ensure their data is secure. Here’s how to back up and then update your smartphone.
Step 1: Back up your iPhone
While it is highly unlikely that anything will happen during the update process, it’s always good practice to create a backup of your iPhone’s data before you install an update. Personally, I connect it to my computer via its USB cable, open iTunes and click “Back Up Now” to keep a copy on my laptop’s hard drive—just in case.
But you can also back it up to Apple’s iCloud. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on your name at the top.
- Tap “iCloud.”
- Tap “iCloud Backup.”
- Toggle on “Back Up This iPhone.”
The data on your phone will back up to the cloud, provided you have enough iCloud space (which requires a monthly subscription fee based on how much storage you want).
Step 2: Run the update
As with any iOS update, the first step to installing iOS 18.1 on your iPhone is to go to the Settings app. Simply follow these steps to get the latest iOS:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap “General.”
- Tap “Software Update.”
- Select the iOS 18.1 update, and let the software download and install.
It can take a few minutes to install, and you’ll need sufficient battery life to do so. Plug it in for a quick charging if you need to.
How do you get Apple Intelligence?
After iOS 18.1 is installed, you’ll need to set up Apple Intelligence to use the AI capabilities on your device. Here’s how:
- Open the Settings app.
- Select “Apple Intelligence & Siri.”
- At the top of the screen, tap to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.
After a waiting period—as brief as a few minutes—you can enable Apple Intelligence.
And heads up, Mac and iPad users: MacOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 18.1 also include Apple Intelligence features.
5 reasons you should update to iOS 18.1
Apple has packed many exciting features into iOS 18.1, along with necessary updates, including addressing more than 20 security vulnerabilities. Here are five worth exploring.
Siri has gotten smarter
While Apple plans to roll out additional Siri enhancements in the coming months, iOS 18.1 with Apple Intelligence refreshes your “personal assistant” with a new appearance (a glowing light that wraps around the edge of the iPhone) and the ability to type in queries if you don’t want to summon Siri verbally (say, in a crowded elevator). More importantly, Siri now boasts improved intelligence in its answers and follow-up requests, making it more conversational since it remembers what you previously asked.
With the update, Siri is better at understanding you too—even if you stumble over a few words and then correct yourself. If you say to Siri, “Take me to 123 Smith Street—er, I mean Smith Avenue,” the AI will know what you mean.
Need iPhone help? Siri can now answer thousands of questions about almost all Apple products, features and settings. So next time you need a reminder about how to set your houseguests up on your network, you can just say, “Siri, how do I easily share a Wi-Fi password?”
It turns your AirPods into hearing aids
iPhone users who wear AirPods Pro 2 can take advantage of a clinical-grade hearing aid feature, intended for those with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss. Like regular hearing aids, the in-ear devices can boost conversations and other sounds around you.
The AirPod feature works like this:
- Ensure your AirPods Pro 2 have the latest firmware update and are fully charged.
- With your AirPods in your ears and connected to your paired iPhone or iPad (running iOS 18.1 or iPadOS 18.1), go to the Settings app.
- Select your AirPods.
- Tap “Hearing Assistance.”
- If you haven’t done so already, take the Hearing Test first to optimize the experience for you.
- Tap “Set Up Hearing Aid.”
- Tap “Get Started.”
- Follow along with the prompts.
On a related note, a new Media Assist feature enhances the clarity of music, video and calls.
It records phone calls
This feature isn’t part of Apple Intelligence, which is good news for those on an older iPhone. Besides, the lack of AI doesn’t make this any less exciting. On iOS 18.1, you conveniently record a phone call, whether you want to archive a chat with a loved one or are a journalist, like yours truly, who wants a record of interviews for research purposes.
Here’s how it works: During a call, tap the new “Call Recording” icon in the upper-left corner to initiate the recording. All participants are notified that the call is being recorded: A disclaimer appears on the screen, and a human-like voice says the call is being recorded.
Calls are saved in the Notes app (in a new folder called Call Recordings), where you can listen to the call whenever you like. Bonus: With Apple Intelligence enabled, you can read a transcription of it!
You’ll get better writing tools
Many of us could use a little help with our writing, and iOS 18.1 was designed with that in mind. Apple’s new writing tools can rewrite, proofread and summarize text virtually everywhere you write on your iPhone. That goes for Apple apps, like Mail, Messages, Pages and Notes, and third-party apps, including social media.
For example, when drafting an email, tap the arrow above the keyboard to expand the toolbar, then tap the Apple Intelligence button (it looks like a woven circle). This brings up tools like Proofread and Rewrite, as well as options for tone (think: Friendly, Professional or Concise) to suit your intended audience.
The Photos app has some cool new features
Finally, AI is enhancing the Photos app in multiple ways. For one, a new Clean Up tool lets you remove an unwanted object or person (like little Billy sneakily giving Grandma rabbit ears) when you edit a photo. Just open the image, tap the “Edit” button and then tap “Clean Up.” The app will get rid of the elements it thinks you want removed, though you can also tap a highlighted object to delete it.
Another standout Photos app update: Search for what you’re looking for by simply describing the photos or videos in a few words, like “Jacob hitting a ball while wearing a blue shirt.” And a revamped Memories feature now gives you the option of creating mini movies by simply typing a description. AI will pick out the best photos and videos and arrange them into a short flick for you.
Why trust us
Reader’s Digest has published hundreds of articles on personal technology, arming readers with the knowledge to protect themselves against cybersecurity threats and internet scams as well as revealing the best tips, tricks and shortcuts for computers, cellphones, apps, texting, social media and more. For this piece on iOS 18.1 features, Marc Saltzman tapped his 30-year experience as a technology journalist and host of the syndicated Tech It Out radio show and podcast. We rely on credentialed experts with personal experience and know-how as well as primary sources including tech companies, professional organizations and academic institutions. We verify all facts and data and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Source:
- Apple: “About the security content of iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1”
