iOS 18 comes packed with a host of new features and improvements, but not all of them come perfectly tuned out of the box. To get the most out of your iPhone and improve its performance, privacy, and user experience, here are seven iOS 18 features you should adjust right now.
Table of Contents
1. Customize Lock Screen Widgets
With iOS 18, Apple introduced the ability to add widgets directly to your lock screen, allowing you to view useful information without unlocking your device. While this feature is convenient, you might want to adjust it to suit your needs.
To customize, go to Settings > Lock Screen, then tap Customize. From there, you can add, remove, or rearrange widgets such as calendar events, weather, or fitness stats. You can also adjust font sizes and themes for a more personalized look. Be mindful not to overcrowd your lock screen, as too many widgets can make it difficult to read important notifications at a glance.
2. Disable the New Focus Mode Notifications
iOS 18 enhances Focus mode with more granular control, but it also introduces frequent notifications prompting you to switch between different Focus profiles (e.g., Work, Personal, Sleep). These pop-ups can be a little annoying if you prefer a more seamless experience.
To stop these notifications, go to Settings > Focus > Focus Status and disable the Share Focus Status option. You can also turn off specific Focus notifications for certain apps under Settings > Notifications by selecting the app and adjusting its notification settings.
3. Enable App Privacy Reports
Apple continues its push for privacy with iOS 18, offering more transparency into how apps use your data. The new App Privacy Report feature gives you detailed insights into what apps have been accessing your location, camera, microphone, and other data.
To enable the App Privacy Report, head to Settings > Privacy > App Privacy Report and turn it on. This will allow you to monitor and review which apps are collecting your personal information. If you notice any suspicious behavior, you can revoke permissions for those apps directly from this menu.
4. Adjust Face ID Sensitivity
Face ID has been improved in iOS 18, but if you find that it’s too sensitive or not working as quickly as you’d like, you can adjust its settings for better performance. Face ID is now faster and more reliable, but if it’s not unlocking in certain situations, you might want to reconfigure it.
Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode, then choose Set Up an Alternate Appearance if necessary, or toggle Require Attention for Face ID for more accurate detection. If Face ID isn’t unlocking as fast as you want, try disabling Require Attention for Face ID under this menu, though it will slightly reduce security.
5. Fine-tune Safari’s Tab Groups
Safari’s new Tab Groups feature is great for organizing your browsing sessions, but it may feel overwhelming if you haven’t fine-tuned it to your needs. Tab Groups allow you to group different sets of tabs, so you can easily switch between different workspaces or categories (like shopping, news, or research).
To organize your Tab Groups, open Safari, tap the Tabs icon, and select Edit to rename, delete, or reorganize your groups. This feature helps reduce tab clutter and keeps your browsing experience tidy.
6. Optimize Battery Charging
iOS 18 includes a feature designed to help extend the lifespan of your battery: Optimized Battery Charging. This feature slows down the charging process once it reaches 80% and completes the charging to 100% right before you need to use your phone, preventing overcharging.
To enable or disable this feature, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then toggle on Optimized Battery Charging. While this is generally a helpful feature, if you don’t mind having your phone fully charged and ready to go, you can disable it.
7. Turn Off Background App Refresh
Although Background App Refresh is a useful feature that keeps apps up to date in the background, it can also drain your battery and consume data, especially if it’s enabled for apps you don’t use often. To improve battery life and speed, you can turn off this feature for individual apps.
Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and disable it entirely or choose Wi-Fi only to reduce data usage. You can also manually turn it off for specific apps, ensuring that only the apps you need refresh in the background.
Conclusion
With iOS 18, Apple has introduced several features designed to improve the iPhone experience, but many of them require some adjustments to maximize their utility. By tweaking these seven settings—customizing the lock screen, disabling intrusive notifications, enabling privacy features, adjusting Face ID sensitivity, fine-tuning Safari’s Tab Groups, optimizing battery health, and managing Background App Refresh—you can ensure your device works at its best while meeting your preferences.
By taking a few moments to personalize your iPhone settings, you can enjoy a more efficient, secure, and enjoyable experience with iOS 18.