iOS 18.1 brings the first suite of Apple Intelligence features to iPhone users, including Writing Tools, Clean Up in the Photos app, and notification summaries. Beyond these new Apple Intelligence capabilities, iOS 18.1 includes a multitude of additional features for iPhone users.
Below is a roundup of all the non-Apple Intelligence features coming to iPhone users with iOS 18.1 later this month.
NFC Access for Third-Party Apps
iOS 18.1 is a significant update for iPhone’s NFC chip. For the first time, Apple is allowing third-party apps to access the NFC chip. This will enable developers to implement a variety of contactless payment solutions and features beyond Apple Pay and Apple Wallet.
Developers can utilize the iPhone’s NFC chip for different functionalities, such as:
- In-store payments
- Car keys
- Closed-loop transit
- Corporate badges
- Student IDs
- Home keys
- Hotel keys
- Merchant loyalty and rewards cards
- Event tickets
- Government IDs (coming at a later date)
This NFC feature will debut in iOS 18.1 and will be available in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the U.K., and the United States. It will require participation from third-party app developers, and the timeline for the release of compatible apps remains uncertain.
More Tweaks to Control Center
iOS 18.1 introduces a new option to “Reset Control Center” in the Settings app. This feature allows users to reset the Control Center layout back to factory defaults for a fresh start.
iPhone Mirroring Adds Drag and Drop
Staying true to its promise from WWDC, iPhone Mirroring now supports drag-and-drop functionality for files between your iPhone and Mac. This feature necessitates both iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1. While using iPhone Mirroring, you can wirelessly transfer files simply by dragging and dropping them.
New Camera Control for iPhone 16
For users of the iPhone 16, iOS 18.1 enhances the Camera Control with a new option to switch to the selfie camera by swiping:
- Open the Camera app and lightly press the Camera Control to access the menu.
- Lightly press the Camera Control twice and navigate to the “Cameras” menu.
- Swipe all the way to the left to select the selfie option.
Call Recording and Transcription
This feature, initially exclusive to the iPhone 15 and 16, has expanded support to the iPhone XS and newer models. During a phone call, users can initiate call recording by tapping a new icon in the upper-left corner of the display. The iPhone will notify the other party that the call is being recorded.
Along with recording the call, the iPhone will generate a transcript after the call ends. Transcription is available in various languages, including English (U.S., Australia), Spanish (U.S., Mexico), Mandarin Chinese (China mainland), Cantonese (Hong Kong), and Korean (South Korea).
TikTok Integration for Apple Music
iOS 18.1 also enhances integration between Apple Music and TikTok. The Music app includes a new button that allows users to share a song or album directly to TikTok. Users can post it as a video or photo, or send it as a private message.
When posted as a photo or video, TikTok will automatically include the song in the post so viewers can hear the audio.
This integration mirrors the Apple Music sharing capabilities introduced for Instagram Stories in 2020.
iOS 18.1 Release Date
At the iPhone 16 event last month, Apple confirmed that iOS 18.1 is set to be released to the public in October. Recent reports indicate a release date of October 28.
Are you currently testing the iOS 18.1 beta version? What features have you found most appealing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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