iOS 18.1: 5 new features to expect, including Apple Intelligence and iPhone Mirroring

The first iOS 18 update brings Apple Intelligence to the fore

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iOS 18only began rolling out toiOS 18 compatible deviceson September 16, butAppleis already gearing up for the launch of its next major update: iOS 18.1.

Typically, these decimal-numbered updates are more incremental than groundbreaking, but this year, Apple’s first post-launch iOS update will be bigger than iOS 18 itself. Yes, it’s finally happening –Apple Intelligenceis coming to compatible iPhones as part of iOS 18.1.

Of course, that’s not the only change set to be introduced by Apple’s next software update – which, according to Bloomberg’sMark Gurman, is slated for release on October 28 – and below, we’ve rounded up five of the biggest new features.

Apple Intelligence features

This is the big one: Apple Intelligence will debut on compatible iPhones as part of iOS 18.1. You’ll find the full list of eligible devices in ourApple Intelligence compatibilityguide, but for iPhones, specifically, you’ll need aniPhone 15 Pro,iPhone 15 Pro Max,iPhone 16,iPhone 16 Plus,iPhone 16 Pro, oriPhone 16 Pro Max.

Unfortunately, not allApple Intelligence featureswill be made available in iOS 18.1 – and those that do will be limited to US English for now – but many of Apple’s core AI functions are set to make their debuts in the coming weeks. We’ve highlighted some of them below.

As for theApple Intelligence features that won’t be arriving with iOS 18.1, Applereportedlyplans to launchImage Playgroundand Genmoji in future iOS updates. The former will allow users to create generative images in various iPhone apps like Messages or Notes, while the latter is essentially a custom emoji generator.

Improved Contactless functionality

Moving onto the non-AI (and non-device-exclusive) features, iOS 18.1 will open up your iPhone’sNFCchip to third-party developers for the first time. What does this mean, exactly?

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Well, it’ll essentially allow developers outside of Apple to enable in-app contactless transactions for, inApple’s words, “in-store payments, car keys, closed loop transit, corporate badges, student ID, home keys, hotel keys, merchant loyalty and rewards, and event tickets, with government IDs to be available at a later date.” In other words, your iPhone really could soon replace your wallet.

Naturally, any developers interested in accessing said NFC chip will need to “enter into a commercial agreement with Apple […] and pay the associated fees,” but given the number of contactless-using iPhone owners in the world, we doubt that they’ll be hesitant to do so.

Upgraded iPhone Mirroring

iPhone Mirroring– which lets you control your iPhone from your MacBook screen as long as you’re runningmacOS SequoiaandiOS 18– was one of the features that excited us most atWWDC 2024, but its early functionality in iOS 18 has been limited.

Thankfully, iOS 18.1 will add the ability to seamlessly drag and drop files between your iPhone and MacBook (it works both ways in the iOS 18.1 beta), making iPhone Mirroring a much more useful tool. Here’s hoping Apple improves this feature further by adding audio input passthrough in future updates.

A small Control Center upgrade

iOS 18 introduced the ability to customize Control Center, but if you let your creativity get the better of you, you’ll be pleased to know that iOS 18.1 will add a “Reset Control Center” option in the Settings app (because sometimes, Apple’s way is the best way).

Another small-but-welcome Control Center tweak: according toMacRumors, iOS 18.1 will let you add separate Control Center buttons for Wi-Fi and VPNs. Currently, all connectivity toggles are bundled into a single widget.

Selfie option for Camera Control

Last but not least, for iPhone 16 users exclusively, iOS 18.1 will make theCamera Controlbutton compatible with the selfie camera.

To switch to the selfie camera using Camera Control, you’ll have to open the Camera app, lightly press the Camera Control button twice, navigate to the Cameras option, then scroll all the way to the left. There, you’ll find a new Selfie option.

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Axel is TechRadar’s UK-based Phones Editor, reporting on everything from the latest Apple developments to newest AI breakthroughs as part of the site’s Mobile Computing vertical. Having previously written for publications including Esquire and FourFourTwo, Axel is well-versed in the applications of technology beyond the desktop, and his coverage extends from general reporting and analysis to in-depth interviews and opinion. 

Axel studied for a degree in English Literature at the University of Warwick before joining TechRadar in 2020, where he then earned an NCTJ qualification as part of the company’s inaugural digital training scheme.

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