The latest iOS update brings a lot to your iPhone, from finally being able to change the lock screen buttons to a radical revamp of Control Center. That’s on top of new formatting options in Messages, controlling the iPhone remotely with iPhone Mirroring, and an overhaul of the Photos app. And if you moved up to the iPhone 16, the Camera Control feature is an entirely new button to master. To help you get started, I’ve put together my list of 7 features and settings you should change right now, including some of the top-tier features and a few that fly under the radar. Although Apple Intelligence isn’t quite here yet (unless you install the iOS 8.1 public beta), there’s still a lot to explore.
1. Modify the Default Buttons on the Lock Screen
In real estate, location is everything, and the bottom corners of the iPhone lock screen are the prime spots, each an easy thumb press away when your device is still locked. Before iOS 18, those posts were held by the flashlight and camera buttons, with no way to change them. In iOS 18, you can finally replace them with other buttons—or remove them entirely, a balm for folks who unknowingly activate the flashlight (believe me, there’s a better way to turn it on). You can add buttons to recognize music via Shazam, enable Dark Mode, set an alarm/timer, enable Airplane Mode, open your Wallet, send money via Tap to Cash, and more.
To change these default buttons, you can start by pressing and holding anywhere on the lock screen until the Customize button appears. After unlocking the phone using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode, you can tap Customize and then choose Lock Screen. You can remove one of the existing buttons by tapping the minus button on the icon. To replace the button with another function, tap its space (marked with a plus icon) and then choose the function you want from the next screen. Repeat these steps for the other button if you wish to change it as well, and when finished, tap Done. To exit the customize mode, simply tap the lock screen again.
2. Set up Some of the New Tasks Available on the Action Button
The Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max replaced the dedicated mute switch found on every other iPhone model with a configurable control. By default, it serves the same purpose—hold it to turn Silent Mode on or off—but you can configure it for other actions like opening the Camera app, performing multiple actions at once, or even ordering coffee. In iOS 18, the Action button gets new capabilities. You can bypass Control Center and choose a control of your choice, such as opening the Remote interface for navigating Apple TV or using Shazam to identify a song.
To choose a different action for the Action button, navigate to Settings and then Action Button. Swipe sideways to select and activate one of the available actions. For the Controls, Shortcut, and Accessibility options, tap the Choose button to pick which specific action to run. This added functionality allows you to make the most out of a traditionally simple feature by customizing it to fit your daily needs, thus enhancing your overall iPhone experience.
3. Give Your Home Screen a Fresh New Appearance
You wouldn’t think that putting icons where you want is a radical new feature, but that’s because iOS has always had a locked arrangement. Apps get added from top to bottom, left to right. You could rearrange the order in which icons appear and move them to other screens, but that was about it. In iOS 18, apps can be positioned nearly anywhere on the screen. You no longer need to deal with a wallpaper image of your kids or pets being obscured by icons. They still adhere to a grid—Apple isn’t about to sanction anarchy—but they can be placed freely within it.
To achieve this new level of customization, touch and hold the home screen to enter “jiggle mode,” and then drag the icons to your desired positions. Although the system still slides icons around to fill spaces, with some patience, you can get your preferred layout. The new Dark Mode adds another layer of customization. It finally applies to all of the iPhone’s home screens, with options for coloring icons and affecting the brightness of the wallpaper image. When in jiggle mode, tap the Edit button in the top-left corner and select Customize. Choose a mode for the icons and background: Automatic, Dark, or Light.
4. Change up How the Control Center Looks
Control Center was once a convenient place to quickly access controls such as playback volume and Airplane mode, but under iOS 18, it becomes a configurable playground. You can position controls where you want, resize many to reveal more information, and add new controls on multiple screens. To enter Control Center, swipe down from the top-right corner (or swipe up from the bottom on the iPhone SE). To enter edit mode, press and hold or tap the plus button at the top-left corner. Just as with moving apps, drag a control to another slot on the screen to reposition it.
Many of the controls also include a bottom-right handle that can resize the control, revealing the name of the control and its current status (such as Flashlight Off). Control Center also now spans multiple screens. Swipe up to view additional controls for media currently playing, Home controls for smart lights and appliances, and a page dedicated to communication options that appear when you long-press the Connectivity block containing Airplane Mode, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Cellular settings.
5. Lock or Obscure Any of Your Sensitive Apps
Our phones carry some of our most sensitive data, and yet it’s not uncommon to hand a phone to a friend to view photos or look up something online. That doesn’t mean they’re going to snoop, but it doesn’t not mean they might be more curious than you’re comfortable with. For data you want to ensure stays out of sight or to add a layer of protection in front of sensitive information, iOS 18 adds the ability to lock and hide apps.
To lock an app, touch and hold the app icon you want to lock and choose Require Face ID, Require Touch ID, or Require Passcode from the menu that appears. Confirm your choice by tapping Require Face ID (or similar) in the next dialog box. To remove the authentication step, touch and hold the app and choose Don’t Require Face ID. For an additional layer of security, you can hide the app altogether. Touch and hold the app, choose Require Face ID, and tap Hide and Require Face ID. Confirm the action by tapping Hide App. To access hidden apps, swipe to the App Library and unlock the Hidden folder using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
6. Adjust the View of Your Calendar
Big new features like locking and hiding apps are great additions, but so are the tiny changes that you encounter every day. The Calendar app includes two new ways to view your schedule. In iOS 18, when you’re in the Month view in portrait orientation, pinch with two fingers to view more or fewer details. As you “zoom in,” individual events appear as colored bars and then as labeled events with times, all while keeping the monthly grid of days and weeks intact.
The Day view, which breaks down your day hour by hour, now has a new Multi Day view that shows two consecutive days to give you context for what’s coming without turning the phone into landscape orientation. Tap the View button at the top of the Single Day view and choose Multi Day from the popup menu. This added functionality provides a more versatile and user-friendly experience, enabling you to better manage your daily schedule and upcoming events.
7. Improve Movie and TV Show Dialogue in the TV App
The latest iOS update has brought significant enhancements to your iPhone. You can now customize lock screen buttons, along with a major redesign of the Control Center. New features don’t stop there; Messages has gained new formatting options, and the iPhone can now be remotely controlled thanks to iPhone Mirroring. Plus, the Photos app has received a substantial upgrade. For those who have upgraded to the iPhone 16, you’ll find a brand-new Camera Control feature that introduces an entirely new button to get used to.
To make the most of these new improvements, I’ve compiled a list of seven must-change features and settings. This list includes standout features that are immediately noticeable as well as some subtle, under-the-radar enhancements. Even though we don’t have the full extent of Apple Intelligence just yet—unless you’re using the iOS 8.1 public beta—there’s still plenty to explore and customize.
From transforming the look and functionality of your lock screen to mastering new Control Center shortcuts, these updates offer a personalized and richer user experience. Diving into the new settings will not only help you familiarize yourself with these changes but also allow you to tailor your iPhone to better meet your needs. Don’t overlook the smaller features either; they can significantly enhance daily usage. So go ahead and discover what this latest iOS update has to offer—it’s designed to make your iPhone experience more innovative and enjoyable.
