iOS 18 released in UK, new features and how to check your iPhone is compatible

After being announced all the way back in June at Apple's WWDC Developers Conference it's now finally time for iOS 18 to be released across the globe. This all-new operating system brings a swathe of improvements to iPhones and also offers a completely new way to customise the look of the home screen - that's a first for Apple!

If you've been looking forward to getting this massive free boost, here's all you need to know including how to download it, full list of compatible iPhones and what's new.

As predicted, iOS 18 went live at 6pm BST in the UK. That means you can download and install it right now.

How to install iOS 18 iPhone?

Apple has confirmed that iOS 18 is available now, September 16. To download it just head to Settings > General > Software Update. You should then see the icon to download and install. It might take a little while as it's a big file. It's also worth backing up your iPhone before attempting to upgrade just in case something goes wrong.

READ MORE: iOS 18 warning - 5 vital iPhone checks you must make before UK release today

Will your iPhone be compatible?

Apple is offering iOS 18 to most modern devices such as the iPhone 14, iPhone 12 and iPhone 11. However, even if you have an iPhone XS or iPhone SE you'll still be in luck.

Check below to see if your iPhone is compatible

iPhone 16 • iPhone 16 Plus • iPhone 16 Pro • iPhone 16 Pro Max (launching this Friday)

iPhone 15 • iPhone 15 Plus • iPhone 15 Pro • iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 14 • iPhone 14 Plus • iPhone 14 Pro • iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 13 • iPhone 13 mini • iPhone 13 Pro • iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 12 • iPhone 12 mini • iPhone 12 Pro • iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 11 • iPhone 11 Pro • iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone XS • iPhone XS Max • iPhone XR • iPhone SE (2nd generation or later)

Although iOS 18 is compatible with all of those phones above, Apple Intelligence which will arrive as part of this upgrade later in the year won't work unless you have an iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro. Find out more about Apple Intelligence below.

What's new in iOS 18?

Once installed, users will be able to tinker with their home screen thanks to improved customisation. It's one of the biggest changes Apple has ever made and makes the iPhone feel a little more like Android which is a much more open operating system.

There's even the ability to add unique coloured tints to apps and hide certain applications behind additional security. You'll also be able to move apps anywhere on the display with things no longer being stuck to usual ridged grid system.

Along with more options to make devices look unique, there's also a major new redesign to the Control Centre with the option to create groups and customise the things you use the most. Apple says the redesign delivers quick access to new groups of a user’s most-utilised controls, such as media playback, Home controls, and connectivity, as well as the ability to easily swipe between each.

Users will also be able to add controls from supported third-party apps into the Control Centre for the very first time. That means you'll be able to quickly unlock a vehicle or jump right into capturing content for social media — all from one place.

Another bonus is being able to add certain controls to the lock screen making them faster to access. For example, you can now add things such as the Calculator, Timer, Dark Mode or Shazam to the bottom of the display with one tap opening things up.

Other changes in this release include a revamped Photos app that makes it easier to find images. Photo libraries are automatically organised in a new single view in Photos, and helpful new collections keep favourites easily accessible.

There are better ways to message friends including more reactions and being able to schedule chats to be sent at certain times of the day or night.

A new password app has been added in the release to keep all those codes more secure and the Safari browser will automatically detect relevant information on a page and highlight it as you browse.

iOS 18 is also the key to unlocking Apple Intelligence which will arrive on some devices later this year. 

What is Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence is capable of re-writing your emails to make them more friendly or professional, prioritising messages so you see the most important things first, summarising emails for you and even creating unique emojis - a feature called Genmoji - which can then be added to your texts.

Apple is also boasting that its intelligence will be able to make your digital life easier by helping you find things faster.

For example, if your parents have sent you an email about their flight home, you can simply ask the fully refreshed Siri assistant, "What time does my mum's flight land" with Apple Intelligence instantly finding the flight number from the original email and showing you the time it's due to arrive on the screen. You can then ask a follow up question such as "What time do I need to leave to pick them up?" with your iPhone then showing where you need to go and how long it will take.

Other bonus features arriving in Apple Intelligence include being able to transcribe audio recordings into editable text, retouch and remove things from images with a single tap on the screen - via a Clean Up tool- and even create totally unique images by simply typing in a description of what you want to see.

Apple is also integrating the popular ChatGPT service into experiences allowing users to access its expertise — as well as its image- and document-understanding capabilities — without needing to jump between tools.

“We are thrilled to introduce iOS 18. It is a huge release with incredible features, including new levels of customisation and capability, a redesigned Photos app, and powerful ways to stay connected with Messages. There are so many benefits for everyone,” said Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering.

“This release also marks the beginning of a tremendously exciting new era of personal intelligence with Apple Intelligence delivering intuitive, powerful, and instantly useful experiences that will transform the iPhone experience, all with privacy at the core. We can’t wait for users to experience it.”