Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent every weekday. If you own an iPhone, you're never far away from a major or minor software update. So while iOS 18.4 doesn't introduce as many features as the main iOS 18 release, it does come with a few interesting new tricks. Specifically, there's now the option to open your favorite chat in Messages, right from the lock screen. It might be the group chat with your friends, for example, or the one-to-one conversation you've got going with your partner.

Apple typically pushes out major iOS upgrades every September, alongside new iPhones--you may recall the launch of iOS 18. Those big software upgrades are followed by'point' releases that squash outstanding bugs, improve security and stability, and occasionally introduce new features. That's the case with iOS 18.4, which brings more with it than most minor iOS updates. From extra tools in Image Playground, to ambient music to relax you or send you off to sleep, here's what's new in the iOS 18 update. Apple Intelligence can now prioritize iPhone notifications, selecting which you need to see first and create AI-written summaries.

When we reviewed the iPhone 16 Pro last year, Apple Intelligence was barely available. Since then, the iPhone 16 series has benefitted from several new features, apps and improvements. Some (or most) of them were Apple Intelligence features that were teased back at WWDC 2024, months before the iPhone 16 Pro launched. AI features weren't the only changes this time around, with the iPhone 16 getting an entirely new button. The so-called Camera Control wasn't just a simple app shortcut, but an elaborate multifunction button that offered a haptic half-press and the ability to swipe across to adjust camera settings and options.

Whether it's a cheeky wink or a grinning cowboy, it might seem like there is already an emoji for every possible situation. But amazingly, there are now even more designs on the way. Apple has revealed eight new emojis that are officially coming to iPhones as part of the iOS 18.4 update. While they are only available in'beta' for now, these new symbols should be rolling out to everyone when the full update is released in late March or early April. In the update, users will be able to send a colourful fingerprint, bright purple splat, or the flag of the island of Sark.

What started as an Apple Intelligence feature exclusive to the Camera Control-endowed iPhone 16 line is coming to older iPhones, and soon. We already knew that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max would get Visual Intelligence at some point in the future, and thanks to 9to5Mac, we now know it's one of several options you can assign to the Action Button in the second iOS 18.4 beta. That likely means the feature could end up in the final release of the update. Visual Intelligence lets you draw on AI models from Google and OpenAI to find information (and websites) about anything you point your iPhone's camera at. You can also use the feature to add information from a flyer to your calendar and oddly, identify dog breeds.

With the latest versions of its software--specifically iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3--Apple has now turned on Apple Intelligence by default. That means all of the associated AI tools will be ready and waiting to help you as soon as you've installed the updates and restarted your device. However, Apple isn't (yet) forcing you to use all of these features, and you can still turn off Apple Intelligence, if you'd like to. Note that if you've previously turned Apple Intelligence off on your device, the iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3 updates won't suddenly turn it back on--your previous choice will be respected. If you're new to Apple Intelligence and want to know what you're dealing with, it's a suite of AI features covering just about every app on your phone.

They are some of the world's most popular smartphones. But if you have an iPhone, make sure to update your device as soon as possible. Apple has released iOS 18.3, with urgent security updates to protect your phone from hackers. This includes a patch for one vulnerability that criminals have already been using to hijack iPhones. Sylvain Cortes, VP of Strategy at Hackuity, says: 'To safeguard against these threats, we'd strongly recommend users to promptly update their devices to iOS 18.3.'

They are some of the world's most popular smartphones. And if you are an iPhone user, be sure to update your device today. Apple has released iOS 18.2.1 for the iPhone and recommends downloading it immediately. According to the tech giant, this update'provides important bug fixes and is recommended for all users'. This is the first big software update of 2025 and comes alongside the new iPadOS 18.2.1 for Apple's tablets.

Create custom emoji on the fly. Have you ever found yourself scrolling through the emoji keyboard, frustrated that you can't find the perfect little icon to express your exact sentiment? Well, Apple has a solution for you with its latest iOS 18.2 update: Genmoji. This innovative feature allows you to create custom emoji on the fly, bringing a whole new level of personalization to your conversations. Genmoji, a clever blend of "generative AI" and "emoji," is Apple's latest addition to its Apple Intelligence suite.

Since the release of iOS 18.2 on December 11, ChatGPT integration has been an integral part of Apple Intelligence. Provided you own a recent iPhone, iPad or Mac, you can access OpenAI's chatbot directly from your device, with no need to go through the ChatGPT app or web client. ChatGPT is a generative AI chatbot created by OpenAI and powered by a large language machine-learning model. In addition to the capability to interact with people using natural language, ChatGPT can search the web, solve complex math and coding problems, as well as generate text, images and audio. As of the writing of this article, the current version of ChatGPT is based on OpenAI's GPT-4o and 4o mini models.