Apple Seeds iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 Release Candidates to Developers

Apple today seeded the release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the eighth betas.

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the ‌‌iOS 18‌/‌iPadOS 18‌‌ Developer Beta setting. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta. The ‌iOS 18‌ and ‌iPadOS 18‌ beta track is now separate from the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 beta track, with the .1 betas adding support for Apple Intelligence on devices that are able to run the features.

‌iOS 18‌ introduces ‌Apple Intelligence‌, a set of AI features that are built deeply into the operating system. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ won't be coming until later in the beta testing process, but it includes features for refining and editing writing, generating images and emoji, and most notably, improving Siri and search. ‌Siri‌ is gaining a better understanding of natural language, improved contextual awareness, and the personal assistant will integrate with ChatGPT to answer more complex queries.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ features are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads with an M-series chip, but there are a number of other features that are coming. Apple is allowing users to rearrange Home screen apps to have open spaces, plus there's a dark mode for app icons and tinting options.

The Control Center is customizable and third-party developers can add controls for their apps, with the Lock Screen Flashlight and Camera icons able to be replaced or removed. Messages is gaining Rich Communication Services support to improve conversations with Android users, the option to schedule texts to be sent later, new text effects, messages over satellite when there's no cellular, and the option to use any emoji for Tapback responses.

There's a dedicated Passwords app for logins, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes, and there's now an option to lock and hide apps, which means they can't be opened without secondary Face ID or Touch ID authentication even when your phone is unlocked.

Safari has a highlights feature that summarizes articles and surfaces key information on websites, the Photos app interface has been overhauled, and there's a new Tap to Cash feature for privately and securely transferring money using Apple Cash. Other features include equation solving and voice memo transcription in Notes, a game mode for improving game performance, and an option to respond to ‌Siri‌ on AirPods with head gestures.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

Goodeye Avatar
11 months ago

I didn't install betas since a long time ago, but remember that when the final version and RC version had the same build number, but still slightly changes made, one couldn't update. Is that still the case?
Asking for an impatient friend that doesn't want to wait one more week?
If you update to RC, once its done and installed just remove yourself out of the beta back in the settings.

If a new build number is put out for the public release then you'll get that update.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
maxsquared Avatar
11 months ago

I didn’t see this feature listed in my RSS feed for MacRumours, but there is a thread on reddit that says iOS 18 will allow you to configure folders as “always download” to keep them on your device.


Can someone confirm that this feature is still there in the most recent betas?

I’ve definitely seen features added and then dropped during the beta process, but I’m hoping that it didn’t happen here.
Do you mean this? Keep downloaded?

Attachment Image
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BigBlur Avatar
11 months ago
I ran into a fun bug on my iPad Pro... I was mass moving some apps around to another page (by selecting multiple apps in jiggly mode and then dragging them all at once.) Well...it moved one app. All the other apps I had selected vanished. They weren't in the App Library, Spotlight couldn't find them, they didn't show up in Settings, they weren't in the new Hidden area. They were nowhere to be found, a reboot didn't even bring them back.

What did bring them back was resetting my Home Screen Layout. I just got done rearranging all my screens back to the way they were by moving the apps one at a time. Didn't dare risk moving multiple at a time and have to start all over again.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mcilwraith Avatar
11 months ago
release date for 18.0????
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
InsideApple Avatar
11 months ago

I’ve installed the RC on most of my devices now and don’t see it yet. I installed 18 and not .1 since my iPhone and iPad don’t support it and I’m not that bold with my Mac.

From the wording of the announcement today it seems it’s been pushed back to iOS 18.1 or to its own release. They may be waiting for the FDA.
Well about the new hearing aid stuff etc, yes. But the head nod stuff and voice isolation should be out with the 18 release. So confusing
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amazing Iceman Avatar
11 months ago

No, the final release had the same build number as the RC but there were still some bugs wiped out. Can't remember which iOS it was.
Even a minimal change should appear as a new build number.
But I may have remember what you are talking about. Not long ago Apple had to re-release the final version of iOS and iPadOS because of a bug.
Devices already on the final release didn’t update to the re-release and Apple said it was not necessary to do so.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)