Discover the Hidden Features of iOS 18.2

iOS 18.2 introduces a range of exciting, albeit lesser-known features, designed to enhance the overall iPhone experience. These hidden functionalities, while not heavily advertised, offer significant improvements to user convenience and customization. Here’s a look at some of the most useful features that can be found within the latest iOS update.

Restart Your iPhone from the Control Center

No longer do you need to press physical buttons to restart your iPhone. With the redesigned Control Center in iOS 18, you can now restart your device directly from the screen. To do so, swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone and hold the new power button until the power-off slider appears. This eliminates the need to press both the volume button and side button as in previous versions. However, to power your phone back on, the physical side button is still required.

Share Your Wi-Fi Password via QR Code

Sharing your Wi-Fi password has been made easier with iOS 18.2. Now, instead of typing or manually sending your Wi-Fi credentials, you can simply generate a QR code that anyone can scan to automatically join your network. To do this, go to the Passwords app, select the Wi-Fi network you wish to share, and tap “Show Network QR Code.” The recipient can then scan the code using their camera to connect. This method works across iPhones and non-Apple devices, including Android smartphones, making it ideal for group settings or sharing with contacts who aren’t in your address book.

Adjust Flashlight Beam Width

Another cool addition in iOS 18 is the ability to adjust the beam width of your iPhone’s flashlight. This feature, available on models with a Dynamic Island (like iPhone 14 Pro and later), allows users to control both the intensity and width of the flashlight beam. You can adjust the beam to cover a wider area with a softer light, or narrow it down for a more focused, intense beam. To activate this feature, turn on the flashlight and use the Dynamic Island interface to swipe left and right to adjust the beam.

Transcribe and Search Voice Memos

The Voice Memos app has been upgraded to make it even more useful. With iOS 18, users can now transcribe their recordings and make them searchable. This feature makes it much easier to find specific recordings, even if they contain specific keywords. To transcribe a memo, simply open the recording in the Voice Memos app, tap the Edit button, and then choose the “Transcribe” option. Once transcribed, these memos can be searched via both the Voice Memos app and the iOS search function, making them much more accessible.

Clean Up Your Home Screen with App Label Removal

For those who prefer a cleaner, more minimalist home screen, iOS 18 introduces the option to hide app labels. If you can identify apps by their icons alone, this feature allows you to remove the text beneath the icons for a neater appearance. Enter jiggle mode by holding down on any blank area of your screen, then choose “Customize” and select the “Large” option. This will make your icons larger and eliminate the labels, even in the App Library.

Convert Apps to Widgets Quickly

Turning apps into widgets has never been easier in iOS 18. If an app supports widgets, you can now convert it to a widget directly from the home screen without having to go into the widget menu. Simply press and hold the app icon, and if the app offers widgets, a widget icon will appear in the quick actions menu. Tap the widget you want to add to turn the app into a widget instantly.

Identify Songs Using the Action Button

Music recognition just became more convenient with iOS 18’s integration of the Action Button. By assigning “Recognize Music” to the Action Button, users can now identify songs with a simple press and hold. The Action Button activates Shazam without needing to open the Music or Control Center apps, allowing you to identify songs in a discreet manner. This feature can be especially handy when you want to impress others with your music knowledge, without revealing that you’re using Shazam.

Search for Handwriting and Illustrations in Photos

The Photos app in iOS 18 includes a new feature that helps you find images with specific content. If you’re looking for photos that contain handwriting or illustrations, you can now search for these types of images directly within the app. Simply navigate to the “Utilities” section, and tap on “Handwriting” to view all images with handwritten content, or “Illustrations” to find photos with drawings or graphics. This feature makes it easier to organize and locate specific photos in a large library.

Share Specific Podcast Moments

Podcast lovers will appreciate the new ability to share specific moments from an episode. If a host says something particularly insightful or amusing, you can now share the exact moment of the episode with a friend. To do so, pause the episode at the desired moment, tap the “More” button, and select “Share Episode.” From there, choose “From Start” or “From Current Time” to share the episode starting at the exact moment you want. The recipient will then be able to listen to the episode from that point forward.

With these new features, iOS 18.2 makes your iPhone experience more intuitive and customizable, providing useful tools that were previously hidden from view. While some of these functions are easy to overlook, they can make a big difference in how you interact with your device on a daily basis.