iOS 18 vs. iOS 18.1: New Features, Release Timing, and More

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As a result of the first Apple Intelligence features being delayed, iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 are currently in beta testing simultaneously.

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock
Below, we explain the differences between the two upcoming software updates, including new features and estimated release timing.

New Features

iOS 18.0

iOS 18 introduces new customization options for the Home Screen and Control Center, a redesigned Photos app, numerous enhancements to the Messages app, an option to lock apps behind Face ID or Touch ID, and much more.

iOS 18 Home Screen
The highlight of iOS 18 is Apple Intelligence, but the rollout of these artificial intelligence features was pushed back to iOS 18.1.

On the other hand, the fifth developer beta of iOS 18 includes some changes that are not yet available in the first iOS 18.1 developer beta, including the new Distraction Control tool in Safari for erasing distracting elements from a web page. That feature and the other changes should be added to later iOS 18.1 beta versions.

Read our in-depth iOS 18 roundup to learn more about the update.

iOS 18.1

The first Apple Intelligence features are now available to test in the iOS 18.1 developer beta, which is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max currently. The features available to try so far include new writing tools, suggested replies in the Messages app, email summarization, phone call recording, and more.

Apple Intelligence General Feature
Apple Intelligence features that are not yet available to try include Image Playground for custom-generated images, Genmoji for custom-generated emoji, and several enhancements to Siri, including ChatGPT integration, richer language understanding, deeper per-app controls, on-screen awareness, personalized context, and more.

Release Timing

iOS 18.0

iOS 18 will likely be released in mid-September, based on the timing of previous major releases:

  • iOS 17: September 18, 2023
  • iOS 16: September 12, 2022
  • iOS 15: September 20, 2021
  • iOS 14: September 16, 2020

iOS 18.1

iOS 18.1 will likely be released in late October, based on the timing of previous similar updates:

  • iOS 17.1: October 25, 2023
  • iOS 16.1: October 24, 2022
  • iOS 15.1: October 25, 2021
  • iOS 14.1: October 20, 2020

Latest Versions

As of August 9, the latest iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 betas are as follows:

How to Install Betas

Developer Betas

iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 are both available as developer betas.

To enroll in Apple's developer beta program, visit developer.apple.com, sign in to your Apple ID, and accept the terms and conditions of the Apple Developer Agreement.

Since 2023, installing iOS developer betas no longer requires being enrolled in the Apple Developer Program for $99/year. Anyone with an Apple ID can accept the Apple Developer Agreement and access the betas for free.

After accepting the agreement, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update → Beta Updates. This is where the iOS 18 and iOS 18.1 developer betas are listed, and you can tap on one to begin the installation process. Note that the iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID set up as a developer account.

Due to software bugs and other potential issues, we recommend installing the iOS 18 or iOS 18.1 betas on a secondary iPhone, rather than the device that you use daily. We also highly recommend backing up your iPhone to your Mac before installing beta software on the device, to prevent data loss in the event something goes wrong.

Step-by-step guide: How to Get the iOS 18 Developer Beta on Your iPhone

Public Betas

iOS 18 is available as a public beta, but iOS 18.1 is not currently.

To enroll in Apple's free public beta program, visit beta.apple.com, sign in to your Apple ID, and accept the terms and conditions.

After signing up, open the Settings app on your iPhone and tap General → Software Update → Beta Updates. This is where the iOS 18 public beta is listed, and you can tap on it to begin the installation process. Note that the iPhone must be signed in to the same Apple ID enrolled in the public beta program.

Due to software bugs and other potential issues, we recommend installing the iOS 18 public beta on a secondary iPhone, rather than the device that you use daily. We also highly recommend backing up your iPhone to your Mac before installing beta software on the device, to prevent data loss in the event something goes wrong.

Step-by-step guide: How to Install the iOS 18 Public Beta

Compatible iPhones

iOS 18 is compatible with the same iPhone models as iOS 17 is:

  • 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 mini
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12
  • 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)

While the iOS 18.1 beta is currently limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models, the update should be released for all of the iPhones listed above eventually. However, Apple Intelligence features will remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro models and newer.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

coffeemilktea Avatar
coffeemilktea
5 days ago at 06:56 am

The first Apple Intelligence features are now available to test ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/07/29/ios-18-1-apple-intelligence-features/') in the iOS 18.1 developer beta, which is only available for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max currently.
I really want to be excited for Apple Intelligence, but between it being available only for the latest phones, and Apple being behind on AI compared to a lot of other companies, I get the feeling it'll be a while before it's something most people can really enjoy. ?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NLLV Avatar
NLLV
5 days ago at 07:39 am
I see ZERO reason to install iOS18 ever
As they decided to make me buy a new phone to use the AI features, and that is what I really wanted, why would I install this on my 13 pro max.
Nonsense.
Eventually I will upgrade my phone, but this was a garbage way to force upgrades on people in a crap economy.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
now i see it Avatar
now i see it
5 days ago at 07:02 am
Seeing that iOS 18 has so many radical changes, the likelihood that lots of stuff will be broken makes me not want to buy a new phone - since it will come with it pre installed. Too much aggravation.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
spazzcat
5 days ago at 07:51 am

I see ZERO reason to install iOS18 ever
As they decided to make me buy a new phone to use the AI features, and that is what I really wanted, why would I install this on my 13 pro max.
Nonsense.
Eventually I will upgrade my phone, but this was a garbage way to force upgrades on people in a crap economy.
You are never guaranteed to get new features on old hardware.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Equals42 Avatar
Equals42
3 days ago at 01:21 pm

I see ZERO reason to install iOS18 ever
As they decided to make me buy a new phone to use the AI features, and that is what I really wanted, why would I install this on my 13 pro max.
Nonsense.
Eventually I will upgrade my phone, but this was a garbage way to force upgrades on people in a crap economy.
Enough with this “crap economy” stuff. Maybe your situation sucks but the economy is fine. Inflation is back down to near Fed targets, GDP is stronger than other developed countries, unemployment is at 50 year lows, and wages have been rising steadily above inflation (but not so fast that it creates its own issues). You would really hate just about any other period in the last 50 years if you think this is bad.

And you’re complaining that they couldn’t wedge an AI model into the memory on your phone which will be 3 models old when AI goes GA? It would have been nice and I could commiserate with you if you had an iPhone 15, but no one promised that you would get every future feature in iOS.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Macaholic868 Avatar
Macaholic868
5 days ago at 05:05 pm

I really want to be excited for Apple Intelligence, but between it being available only for the latest phones, and Apple being behind on AI compared to a lot of other companies, I get the feeling it'll be a while before it's something most people can really enjoy. ?
Agreed. IMHO if there is a big sales bumb due to Apple Intelligence you’re probably more likely to see it reflected in iPhone 17 sales numbers than in iPhone 16 sales numbers.

By the time they get everything they are planning for iOS 18 out there and remove the Beta label from all of the Apple Intelligence features that’ll continue to have it for a while it sounds like it’ll be close to spring of 2025. At that point why go get a 16 when the 17 will be debuting in September along with price cuts on the 16 and 15 Pro and Max models?

I have a 15 Pro which I bought last September so it’ll be interesting to watch things progress but I certainly haven’t seen anything that would entice me to upgrade a perfectly good iPhone to a 15 Pro / Max or to the 16 just for Apple Intelligence. Not yet anyway. I hope I’m wrong as that’ll mean they are further along than it appears they are but I’m thinking it’ll take Apple another year to fully catch up with the competition and/or potentially take the lead with Apple Intelligence.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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