New Password App

In iOS 18, Apple created a separate app to store users' passwords. Previously, passwords were stored in iCloud Keychain. The new, separate Passwords app makes them easier to access.

Users will be alerted if their password or login may have been involved in a data breach. People who frequently use weak passwords or have used them before will also be alerted. The larger goal is to get more people to use strong passwords, said Thorin Klosowski, an activist at the privacy-focused Electronic Frontier Foundation.

These passwords are not visible to Apple, but only to iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and Windows users who have installed the iCloud for Windows app. Passwords for people who use AutoFill are automatically added to the app.

New way to hide and lock apps

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iOS 18 allows you to hide or lock apps using Face ID, Touch ID or a passcode. Photo: Du Lam

Apps in iOS 18 can be hidden and locked with a passcode, Touch ID, or Face ID, except for basic functionality. This is a useful tool for people who often lend or let others use their phones, so they don't have to worry about their photos, messages, emails, or social media accounts being seen.

When the app is in hidden or locked mode, content such as messages and emails cannot be searched, and notifications are not displayed.

According to an Apple spokesperson, the company has added a step to prevent children from using the feature to hide or lock apps, escaping parental controls. Specifically, those under 13 cannot use this feature. Those between 13 and 18 can use it, but parents can still see which apps they download and how long they use it in the Screen Time app.

Better control over contact sharing

In iOS 18, users can decide exactly what contacts they want to share with apps: all, nothing, or just specific contacts. For example, if you use an app that’s only for work, you’ll only share work-related contacts.

Know exactly which apps are seeing what data

iPhone users can now quickly see how many apps are accessing data such as location services, calendars, files, folders, contacts, health information, etc. When tapping on a specific category, users will see a list of apps with the same access level (limited or full).

AI Privacy Protection

Apple’s AI suite of features processes requests on-device, so Apple doesn’t collect or store data. These safeguards are important for people who want to use AI but are concerned about privacy, including personal data being used to train models.

To download iOS 18, readers go to Settings > General > Software Update . iOS 18 is compatible with iPhone SE 2, iPhone SE 3 and iPhone XR and later.

(According to CNBC, Apple)