I’ve been an iPhone user since the original model was launched by Apple in 2007, while I was still in high school. Even after all these years, the iPhone remains my top choice for a personal phone. However, I do have some grievances, particularly regarding the software.
With each new iOS update, there are always a few features or settings that I find less than ideal. The latest version, iOS 18, is no exception.
What’s New in iOS 18: The Good and the Not-So-Great
There’s a lot to appreciate in iOS 18. For instance, I’m thrilled about the addition of RCS (Rich Communication Services) support, which enhances text messaging with Android users. The ability to send text messages via satellite when cellular service is unavailable is another welcome feature. Plus, the option to customize the lock screen buttons, which was long overdue, is a significant improvement.
Nevertheless, as with previous updates, there are aspects of iOS 18 that I find less appealing. That’s why I regularly write about these updates—to highlight the features that might not work for everyone and offer tips for making them more manageable. Here are two features of iOS 18 that I’m not fond of, along with some guidance on how to adjust them.
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1. Simplifying the Photos App
One of the changes in iOS 18 that I’m not a fan of is the redesign of the Photos app. While I understand Apple’s intention, the new layout feels cluttered. I don’t appreciate having my main camera roll bombarded with vacation memories, wallpaper suggestions, and other unrelated photos and videos.
Fortunately, Apple provides options to customize the Photos app to better suit your preferences. When you first open the app, you’ll see a grid view of all your photos and videos. The navigation bar at the bottom has been replaced with collections of recent photos, videos, and albums featuring friends, family, and pets.
If you swipe down, you’ll encounter various collections and albums, including pinned collections, shared albums, memories, trips, featured photos, and wallpaper suggestions. Previously, these were located in the Albums and For You tabs, but now they are consolidated into one main view. While this can be convenient for some, it’s overwhelming for others who prefer a cleaner interface.
To streamline the Photos app, swipe all the way down to the bottom and select “Customize and Reorder.” From here, you can uncheck any collections you wish to hide and rearrange the order in which they appear. Personally, I prefer to hide wallpaper suggestions and most of the other options, keeping only media types (like videos and live photos) and utilities (such as hidden albums and recently deleted items).
Although removing these collections means you’ll lose access to Apple’s curated albums, you can still find any photo or video by browsing your camera roll or using the search function at the top.
2. Streamlining the Control Center
I frequently use the Control Center to quickly access Wi-Fi, enable Do Not Disturb, switch to dark mode, and activate low battery mode, among other features. With iOS 18, however, the Control Center has expanded to include multiple pages of controls, both pre-configured and customizable.
I find this expansion unnecessary and cumbersome. I prefer having all my essential controls on a single page to avoid the hassle of navigating through multiple pages. Additionally, I often end up accidentally scrolling through the Control Center pages when trying to exit, which can be quite frustrating.
Thankfully, there’s a straightforward way to revert to a single-page Control Center. Open the Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen, then swipe up to reveal the additional pages. Press and hold on any blank area of a page to highlight it, and then tap the remove control button (-) at the top-left to delete the control and the page.
Repeat this process for any extra Control Center pages until only the main page remains. This will eliminate the extra page icons and prevent you from getting stuck while trying to exit the Control Center.
In Conclusion
While iOS 18 brings several welcome improvements, it also introduces features that may not suit everyone’s preferences. By following these tips, you can tailor the Photos app and Control Center to better fit your needs, ensuring a smoother and more personalized iPhone experience.
For more tips, check out the settings you need to adjust when downloading iOS 18 and discover hidden features you might find useful.