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With the release of iOS 18, Apple has once again pushed the boundaries of innovation, introducing a slew of new features that promise to enhance user experience in ways we never imagined. While some of these features have been widely publicized, there are several hidden gems that you might not be aware of. In this article, we’ll delve into these lesser-known and new iOS 18 features, exploring how they can make your digital life more seamless and enjoyable.

iOS 18 Features Rotating WiFi Address

One of the most intriguing hidden iOS 18 Features is the ability to choose between fixed and rotating IP addresses for your Wi-Fi connection.

Apple has quietly added this option to give you more control over your network privacy. A fixed IP address ensures your device remains the same identity on the network, making it easier for apps or services that need a stable connection.

On the flip side, a rotating IP address changes periodically, adding a layer of privacy by making it harder for trackers to follow your online activity. This powerful tweak allows you to experience the kind of network control typically reserved for advanced VPN users.

Hide Screenshots in the Photos App

Another handy new feature added to iOS 18 is organizing your photos by hiding screenshots from the main page in the new Photos app.

Open the Photos app, click the Filter icon in the bottom left corner, select ‘View Options,’ and then unselect ‘Screenshots.’ This feature is exciting because it also hides any photos you might have taken of screens.

Sidenote: If you have taken a lot of screenshots like me, it might take a while for the app to find and categorize all of them, so don’t panic if you still see some screenshots in your library for a while after using this option.

If you still want to access your screenshots quickly, you can create a pinned collection exclusively for them. This neat trick keeps your photo library clutter-free while keeping your screenshots a tap away.

Vehicle Motion Cues

If you have ever felt queasy while using your iPhone as a passenger in the car of your friend who has Dominic Toretto-type driving skills, iOS 18 has a nifty feature that might help.

This new feature is called Vehicle Motion Cues, and it is designed to reduce motion sickness by adding subtle, animated dots along the edges of your screen that mimic the vehicle’s movement.

You can also set the option to ‘Automatic’ to ensure the cues only appear when your iPhone detects you are in motion. If you want to control it manually, add the Vehicle Motion Cues shortcut to the control center and toggle it on or off as needed.

Share WiFi Password via QR Code

Another new addition in iOS 18 is the ability to easily share your Wi-Fi password via a QR code from the new Passwords app.

You no longer have to fumble around trying to remember or type in your Wi-Fi password or even manually copy and paste it from the Wi-Fi setting whenever your friends or guests come over.

Access the Wi-Fi section of the Passwords app, choose the network you are connected to, and select ‘Show Network QR Code.’ Your friends or guests can conveniently scan this code using their iPhone’s camera app, enabling them to connect to your Wi-Fi without any hassle.

It is a quick and seamless way to share access without having to dig up your password or deal with awkward typing, especially if you have a lengthy and complex password (as you should.)

Bonus tip: Print the QR code and stick it to a wall (in a private place, of course) so anyone can scan it and connect to your Wi-Fi network without bothering you every time.

Date Filter In Recent Call History

iOS 18 finally makes searching through your call history a reality with a new search bar in the Phone app’s Recents tab. Before, you had to scroll endlessly to find a specific call, especially if you have a long cal history.

But now, with the search bar at the top of the Recents tab, you can quickly locate calls or voicemails. Simply tap on Recents, then use the search bar to find calls by contact name, number, or specific dates.

Search for a month like ‘September’ to filter all the calls and voicemails from that time. You can even be as precise as entering a specific date, like ‘September 29’ to view all the calls from that day.

Collapsible Sections in the Notes App

If your Notes application frequently includes folders brimming with quickly drafted notes in disarray, the recently introduced iOS 18 feature, ‘Collapsible Sections,’ will be a significant improvement.

Using formatting tools to add section headers — like titles, headings, and subheadings — you can create collapsible sections to keep things organized. Just tap a header, and a down chevron will appear, letting you collapse that section. Tap the chevron again to expand it when you need to dive back in.

The wonderful thing is that the collapsible sections automatically organize themselves by hierarchy, meaning subheadings sit under headings, and headings are placed under titles. This makes it super easy to manage lengthy notes, focus on the essentials, and avoid the endless scrolling through walls of text or attachments in your notes folders.

Continue playing music while recording video

In iOS 18, Apple finally made it possible to enjoy uninterrupted music playback while using the Camera app—a feature many of us have been waiting for.

Usually, opening the camera or recording a video would pause any audio playing in the background, but with this update, your music keeps going.

To enable this, go to the Camera settings page and look for a new option called ‘Record Sound.’ Open that page, and you will find an option labeled ‘Allow Audio Playback.’ Once you turn this on, your music will keep playing even while recording a video.

This allows you to capture your favorite moments, like taking a video while your friend drives the car with a soundtrack running in the background without missing a beat.

Custom Vocal Shortcuts

iOS 18 brings a bunch of cool accessibility features, and one of the standout additions is Vocal Shortcuts. This lets you create your own voice commands for Siri, making it super easy to trigger requests or actions in the Shortcuts app.

This feature will allow you to launch a timer, send a message, or trigger any custom shortcut just by saying a single word — without activating Siri first.

To set it up, go to Settings ? Accessibility ? Vocal Shortcuts. From here, you can type in your custom trigger phrase, say it three times to train your iPhone to recognize it, and you are all set.

For example, you can set up a vocal shortcut to launch a ten-minute timer using the keyword ‘timer.’ Now, whenever you say ‘timer,’ your iPhone will immediately launch the command; there is no need to say ‘Hey Siri’ first. You can create shortcuts for anything, from system tasks to custom actions, making your iPhone even more intuitive and hands-free.

Music Haptics

Another fantastic new accessibility feature in iOS 18, hidden away in the Hearing section of the Accessibility settings, is Music Haptics.

This simple on/off switch lets your iPhone vibrate in sync with the drums and bass of the music you are playing in certain apps, like Apple Music and Apple Classical.

This feature was originally made to assist users with hearing difficulties in feeling the rhythm, but it turns out to be a really enjoyable experience for everyone. Fingers crossed that other apps like YouTube Music and Instagram will jump on board with this in their next updates!

When enabled, you will feel the vibrations pulse in your hand, adding a tactile layer to your music experience. It might add a whole new dimension to your enjoyment of your favorite tracks. You can also easily enable and disable it from the now-playing screen in Apple Music.

Sound Actions

With the iOS 18 update, there’s a neat accessibility feature called Sound Actions. You can check it out in the Assistive Touch settings. Once activated, it lets you assign unique sounds to different actions on your device.

For example, you can set up specific sounds — like Click or Shh — that will trigger actions like opening the control center, taking a screenshot, or even opening certain apps. You can practice these sounds right in the settings, and your iPhone will let you know if it recognizes the sound correctly.

It is a creative way to control your iPhone hands-free, and it is also perfect for those looking for extra accessibility options or just wanting to explore new ways of interacting with their iPhones.

Schedule messages in iMessage

One of the most exciting new features in iMessage in the iOS 18 update is Send Later and trust me; it is a game-changer for anyone who has wanted to schedule messages in advance.

Whether you are in business, want to send a midnight birthday wish to a friend while you are sleeping, or just like to plan ahead, you can now schedule your messages to be sent up to two weeks in advance.

When you compose a new message, select the Send Later option from the attachment menu to send it at a later time. You will notice that scheduled messages appear in lighter colors with a dashed outline, making it easy to spot the ones waiting to be sent. If you need to tweak the timing, you can edit, reschedule, or even delete the message before it is sent.

The best part about this feature is that your scheduled messages will still be delivered even if your iPhone is off or runs out of battery. This is because your messages are stored on Apple’s servers — fully end-to-end encrypted until it is time to send them.

Even if your iPhone is off, your message will still be sent just like you intended. That little clock icon next to it is there to remind you that it’s queued up for later, and it’ll disappear once it’s sent. This feature is a lifesaver for ensuring your important messages go out on time, even when you can’t be online.

Power off Button in the Control Center

The Control Center in iOS 18 gets a subtle yet super helpful update — now, an on-screen power button is at the top right corner. This means you no longer have to fiddle with the physical buttons when turning off your iPhone. Just tap and briefly hold the button, and you will get some haptic feedback before the familiar power-off slider appears.

The exciting part is that using the onscreen power button also locks your iPhone, requiring you to enter your passcode when you turn it back on—Face ID won’t work, just like when you manually press the physical power buttons.

Keep Downloaded in iCloud Drive

One of the underrated but handy new features in iOS 18 is the Keep Downloaded option for iCloud Drive in the Files app. If you are familiar with iCloud Drive, you know that it stores some files locally and others only on the server.

That means if you lose internet access, you are stuck with whatever files are already downloaded — usually the ones you use most often. But with this new feature, you can now ensure specific files are always available offline.

Simply tap and hold on any file in iCloud Drive, and you will see the option to keep Downloaded. Once you enable it, that file will stay downloaded on your device and accessible even without an internet connection. If you no longer need it online, tap and hold again to turn Keep Downloaded off. It is a minor tweak, but it is a lifesaver for anyone who works on the go or in areas with bad internet.

Bulk delete songs in a playlist

In iOS 18, Apple Music brings a much-requested feature that makes managing your playlists much easier. You can now bulk delete items from a playlist with just a few taps. Instead of removing songs individually, enter edit mode, select multiple tracks, and delete them all simultaneously. It is a quick and efficient way to clean up your playlists without the hassle of individually swiping or tapping each song. If you are like me and fine-tune your playlists frequently, this feature will save you tons of time.

History and unit conversion in Calculator

In iOS 18, the Calculator app has received a nice overhaul with some handy new features. First up, there is a new History button on the top left, allowing you to view your previous calculations — a feature that is long overdue.

At the bottom left, you will now find a button that opens up options to switch between Basic mode, Scientific Mode, and Math Notes. One of the standout additions is the Convert mode, that lets you easily convert units like currency, energy, data, and more with just a tap. It is perfect for quick conversions, making the Calculator app much more versatile and useful for everyday tasks.

Which new iOS 18 features mentioned in this blog post are your favorite, and how many did you already know about? Let me know in the comments, and also share any other hidden iOS 18 features you might know about with the rest of us!