What’s new in iOS 12
- sep
- 17
Apple's newest iOS update is out and chock full of little updates and surprises.
After many, many beta releases, iOS 12 is now here, chock full of new features and major performance improvements. From Siri Shortcuts to Memoji, here are all of the big changes you can expect with Apple's latest major update to iOS.
Performance
Apple has put a major emphasis on the performance gains in iOS 12, particularly for older devices like the iPhone 6. With apps like Camera launching up to 70 percent faster on older iPhones and iPads, many users will undoubtedly feel like they have a completely new phone.
Performance in iOS 12: Everything you need to know!
Siri Shortcuts
Siri Shortcuts is actually a two-part feature. The first is the underlying system of Shortcuts, in which Siri analyzes your behavior on your iPhone or iPad in the background, making note of tasks you perform regularly. Eventually, you'll get suggestions on actions that you can allow Siri to take for you based on those habits that the system learn.
The other half of Shortcuts is the Shortcuts app itself. A standalone app available in the App Store, Shortcuts lets you create custom workflows that bring together iOS system features and those of third-party apps to perform custom actions that can be triggered by custom Siri phrases.
Siri Shortcuts: Everything you need to know!
Messages
In addition to more than 70 new emoji characters, Messages has seen a lot of updates to how you send photos and videos. You can now add effects and filters to the photos and videos that you take using the camera in the Messages app, and even add Animoji on top of your images.
Speaking of Animoji, there are new characters for that, as well. Additionally, Apple is introducing Memoji, custom Animoji that you can create to look just like you.
Animoji and Memoji: Everything you need to know!
Notifications and Do Not Disturb
Notifications have received a pretty substantial update in iOS 12. Multiple notifications from the same app are automatically grouped together and can be managed and deleted at the same time. You can also tune your notifications from each app to be delivered as they are, quietly, or not at all. If a notification is delivered quietly, it will be delivered to Notification Center directly without alerting you.
Do Not Disturb now has more granular controls. You can set Do Not Disturb to turn off after a set period time, after you leave a certain location, or an event on your calendar ends. Do Not Disturb during Bedtime hides all of the notifications on your lock screen during the night, so even if you pick up your iPhone during the night, you won't see any notifications until you swipe up on the screen.
Screen Time
Apple will now keep track of just how long you've been using your iOS devices. Screen time gives you a detail breakdown of just how (and how often) you use your iPhone or iPad. See how often you pick your device up, how many notifications you get, and how long your screen is on each day. You'll get a detailed report at the end of your week with your total time, average time, and more.
Screen Time for iPhone and iPad in iOS 12: Everything you need to know!
Photos
Photos has been shuffled around a bit. There's a new interface for navigating your albums that makes everything easier to find. There's also a new For You tab, which is where you'll find things like Memories and now Effect Suggestions. Photos will also now proactively recommend people with whom you can share your photos by identifying people in those images.
Search in photos has been enhanced, with support for intelligent search suggestions and searching with multiple keywords. You can also search based on location, business name, or even an event.
Photos in iOS 12: Everything you need to know!
The rest of Apple's software
If you're wondering what's new with the rest of Apple's software, head over to our guide to find out everything you need to know.
Everything you need to know about Apple's macOS, iOS, watchOS, and tvOS updates
Found any other cool iOS 12 features?
Anything we missed? Let us know in the comments!
