There are still months to go beforeiOS 18is formally available as a software update . Until then , you could choose - in for the public genus Beta Applereleased yesterday . iOS 18 is chock full of novel abilities , many of which Apple previewed during itsWWDC keynotelast month . There are now more customization choice for the iPhone ’s Home Screen , many of whichfeel like a repriseif you ’ve ever spent time on Android . The Control Center has also become decidedly humanoid - like with its telling ghost - way addition . Apple ’s rendering is relatively tight , but it ’s refined in a way thatkeeps drug user devoted to the platform .

One of these things is not like Android

The customization pick for iOS 18 ’s Home Screen are exciting for a platform without much flexibility over where icons are localise . While the new customization options share some similarity with the Android operating system , they remain limited in scope unless Apple allows third - company launchers to roam free . The likelihood of that happening is low-spirited , considering the company likes delivering a polished experience . I can see that mull over in the new Home Screen customization options . you may post icons wherever you want , but it ’s still within a particular rail .

Like Android , you may wiretap and view as the Home Screen to engage iOS 18 ’s customization style . beg theEditbutton in the upper unexpended - paw corner to take the theme for the icons , whether you require them in dark or light mode or favor a hue that matches the wallpaper . Pan around the pages with your finger to move icons where you care and sum up widgets as you see fit . You ’ll still have to drag icon between Page , which is ho-hum , but Android user hurt the same circumstances . What matter is that now you’re able to play with Io 18 to make it wait how you like without having toGoogle a how - to .

If minimal art is your matter , Io 18 makes setting up a nearly empty Home Screen easier than before . Once you do it , if the page seems too empty , you’re able to add something like a World Clock gismo to the top . The only downside is that with Io already carrying the air of minimalism , any widget at the top appears lopsided if there ’s nothing else besides the default icon dock .

A photo of an iPhone on the iOS18 Public Beta

© Florence Ion / Gizmodo

Third - party developers can contribute widgets for your usance , hopefully increase the offering as iOS 18 move live in the fall . Apps like TikTok and Google ’s suite of apps already pop the question a glimpse of what they front like in the beta . Developers have n’t done much beyond what seems like code converted from Android to iOS .

Less is better in the Control Center

The Control Center can also be customized to your liking . dab and hold on the board after you ’ve dragged it down , and then you ’ll see time slot open up for extra controls . you’re able to even blow up existing controls like you would a doodad , which I did for the flashlight since it ’s often the shaft I ’m dire to expend . A more prominent button think less margin of error when I ’m feeling scattered .

Apple split the Control Center into three screens for Home controls , music playback , and connectivity rather than relying on one varlet to fit them all . Is this power resonant of Android ’s Quick options in the notification shade ? Sure , a small . However , iOS gets off with the fact that the disparate spaces aid keep the interface looking streamlined rather than halter with info . Android ’s Quick options jury can be busy , specially on smaller show . To that death , I could see the iOS 18 Control Center becoming overwhelming if you were to fill it to the brim with controls .

How to run the iOS 18 public beta

Apple ’s genus Beta program carry less risk than Android ’s early Beta . If interested , you may enroll your iPhone in theApple Beta Software Programto get the prompt on your equipment .

Other illustrious iOS 18 public beta feature you may try now includeiPhone mirroringand the Passwords app , which you may set up before it ’s adopted ecosystem - widely . you may practice it to peruse your passwords , master key , and other login info associated with your iPhone . It ’s also an first-class excuse to scrutinize some of your explanation and eliminate anything changed or deactivated .

Do n’t forget the improved Apple Photos app , revamp with a cleaner interface and good album curation . It equip nicely with the ethos of this new version of Apple ’s mobile operating system . The reimagined Photos app also give iPhone user a reason to block using the Google Photos wandering app for like ability .

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© Florence Ion / GizmodoiOS 18’s Control Center lets you drag and drop between screens.

The only thing you wo n’t get much admittance to with the first iOS 18 public beta is the stuff everyone ’s clamoring about , namely Apple Intelligence ( AI ) . As forRCS sustenance , it   seemsto work for some public genus Beta users . I could not superintend it between theiPhone 15 Pro Maxreview unit with the late Io 18 public beta and my married man ’s speech sound routine , registered to aOnePlus 12 .

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A screenshot of iOS 18’s Control Center

© Florence Ion / GizmodoiOS 18’s Control Center lets you drag and drop between screens.

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