Master iOS 18.3: Change These Crucial iPhone Settings

Apple has officially released iOS 18.3, bringing significant enhancements to Visual Intelligence, notification summary features, and much more. If you’re updating from an earlier version of iOS, this guide will help you explore everything new and improved in iOS 18.3. Let’s dive into the details of these upgrades, including how to set up, customize, and make the most out of them.

Upgrades to Apple Intelligence and Notification Summary

One of the standout features of iOS 18.3 is the enhancement of Apple Intelligence—the suite of on-device AI features that helps users organize their lives and interact with their devices more intuitively. Visual Intelligence has received a notable boost, now capable of recognizing and categorizing even more types of content, such as handwritten notes, receipts, and more complex scenes in photos.

The notification summary feature has also been refined, delivering a smarter, more contextual grouping of notifications. For instance, you’ll now see summaries organized not just by time but by priority, ensuring you’re aware of the most important updates first. If these features don’t appeal to you, you can disable Apple Intelligence by navigating to Settings > Apple Intelligence and toggling off specific options.

Customize the Lock Screen Buttons

For years, the flashlight and camera buttons dominated the bottom corners of the iPhone’s lock screen, often frustrating users who unintentionally triggered them. iOS 18.3 changes this by allowing you to replace these buttons or remove them entirely, offering more flexibility and personalization.

Steps to Customize Lock Screen Buttons:

1. Enter Customization Mode: On the lock screen, touch and hold anywhere until you see the “Customize” button. Unlock your device using Face ID, Touch ID, or your passcode.
   • If this action takes you to the home screen, swipe down from the center-top of the screen to return to the lock screen.
2. Select Lock Screen: Tap “Customize” and choose “Lock Screen.”
3. Remove Existing Buttons: Tap the – (minus) icon on a button to remove it.
4. Add or Replace a Button: Tap the empty space with a + icon and select a new function, such as:
   • Shazam for music recognition
   • Dark Mode toggle
   • Alarm or Timer
   • Airplane Mode
   • Wallet access
   • Tap to Cash for quick money transfers
5. Save Changes: Tap “Done” when you’re finished, and exit customization by tapping the lock screen.

Expanded Capabilities for the Action Button

Introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro and further refined for newer models, the Action button replaces the traditional mute switch with a customizable control. While it still defaults to toggling Silent Mode, iOS 18.3 adds new capabilities, allowing you to:

• Open the Camera app directly.
• Control Apple TV with the Remote interface.
• Identify songs with Shazam.
• Perform multiple actions simultaneously using Shortcuts.

How to Set Up the Action Button:

1. Navigate to Settings > Action Button.
2. Swipe to select your preferred action. For options like Shortcuts or Accessibility, tap “Choose” to specify the action.
3. Save your selection, and the Action button is ready to perform your chosen task.

A New Look for the Home Screen

For the first time, iOS 18 allows apps to be positioned almost anywhere on the home screen. This change offers greater freedom, letting you avoid cluttering a cherished wallpaper image with icons. Additionally, the Dark Mode feature now extends to the entire home screen, and icons can be tinted for a unified aesthetic.

How to Customize Your Home Screen:

1. Rearrange Icons:
   • Touch and hold anywhere on the home screen to enter “jiggle mode.”
   • Drag icons to your preferred positions. While the grid remains, you’ll have more flexibility than ever before.
2. Enable Dark Mode:
   • Enter “jiggle mode” and tap “Edit” in the top-left corner.
   • Select “Customize” and choose a mode for icons and background: Automatic, Dark, or Light.
   • In Dark Mode, app icons gain black backgrounds, and the wallpaper dims to reduce eye strain. If you prefer lighter backgrounds, toggle back to Light Mode for the wallpaper while retaining dark icons.
3. Apply Tint to Icons:
   • Select “Tinted” in the Customize options.
   • Adjust the Hue and Luminosity sliders or use the eyedropper tool to match a background color.
   • The chosen tint applies to icons and widgets, offering a cohesive look.
4. Increase Icon Size:
   • Opt to remove app labels and enlarge icons by selecting the “Large” option in the Customize menu.

Redesigned Control Center

Control Center in iOS 18.3 gets a major overhaul, offering greater customization. You can now resize controls, rearrange them, and even spread them across multiple screens.

Customizing Control Center:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center.
2. Enter edit mode by touching and holding any control or tapping the + button in the top-left corner.
3. Drag controls to reposition them.
4. Resize controls by dragging the handle in the bottom-right corner. Larger controls reveal additional details like status or function names.
5. Add or remove controls by tapping “Add a Control” or the – button, respectively.
6. Rearrange the order of screens by moving controls between pages.

Enhanced Privacy: Lock and Hide Apps

Privacy-conscious users will appreciate the ability to lock and hide apps in iOS 18. You can now secure apps like Notes, Photos, or Reminders with Face ID or Touch ID, or even hide them entirely in a locked folder within the App Library.

Steps to Lock or Hide Apps:

1. Lock an App:
   • Touch and hold the app icon.
   • Choose “Require Face ID” (or Touch ID/Passcode).
2. Hide an App:
   • Touch and hold the app icon.
   • Select “Require Face ID” and then “Hide and Require Face ID.”
   • The app moves to a Hidden folder in the App Library, accessible only via authentication.

Note: Some built-in apps cannot be hidden, and the Hidden folder locks automatically when you switch away from the App Library.

Additional Features Worth Noting

Improved Calendar Views:

• Pinch to zoom in on the Month view for more details.
• Switch to Multi-Day view in portrait orientation for a better overview of consecutive days.

Dialogue Enhancement in the TV App:

• The TV app now includes options to enhance or boost dialogue clarity.
• Access this feature by tapping the More (…) button during playback and adjusting settings under “Audio Adjustments.”

Turn Off Loop Videos in Photos:

• Go to Settings > Photos and disable “Loop Videos” to prevent videos from replaying automatically.
• You can also turn off “Auto-Play Motion” for a completely still experience until you tap Play.

Conclusion

iOS 18.3 is packed with updates that enhance usability, personalization, and privacy. Whether you’re customizing the lock screen, exploring new Action button capabilities, or enjoying the flexibility of the revamped home and Control Center, there’s something for everyone. Take your time to explore these features and make your iPhone truly your own.