Introduction

With the release of iOS 18, Apple Inc. added many big headline features—customisable home screens, Apple Intelligence support, redesigned apps and more. But beyond the major announcements there are dozens of smaller tweaks and hidden improvements that can significantly improve your daily experience. Based on recent guides and user discoveries, here are **18 hidden gems** you might have overlooked. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

The 18 Hidden Gems

1. Lock & Hide Any App – iOS 18 lets you lock and hide apps (requiring Face ID/Touch ID) even if the developer hasn’t built support for it. Hidden apps won’t appear on Home Screen or receive notifications. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
2. T9 Dialer in Phone App – The Phone app now supports T9 style typing on the number pad to find contacts (e.g., typing 64447 finds “Mihir”). :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
3. Search Call History – You can search your call history easily without scrolling endlessly. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
4. Hide App Labels on Home Screen – For a cleaner Home Screen look, you can remove the text labels below app icons. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}
5. Share Wi-Fi Passwords via QR Code – From the Passwords app you can generate a QR that lets guests join your Wi-Fi network. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
6. Adjust Flashlight Width – On compatible iPhones you can long-press the Dynamic Island/Control Centre flashlight icon then adjust beam width from narrow to wide. :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}
7. New “Apps” Section in Settings – All third-party apps are grouped under an “Apps” menu to clean up Settings layout. :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}
8. Redesigned iCloud Storage View – The iCloud settings now show a grid view of storage by category (Photos, Mail, Drive etc) making it easier to see what’s using space. :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}
9. Unit Conversion & Backspace in Calculator – The Calculator app supports unit conversions and a backspace key so you don’t have to clear the whole calculation when you mistype. :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}
10. New Attachment Menu & Audio Recording in Notes – Notes now support attaching files and recording audio, and for compatible devices, audio can be transcribed. :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}
11. Rainbow Lock Screen Clock Color – You can now apply a rainbow color effect to the clock on your Lock Screen for a subtle visual flair. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}
12. Rotate Wi-Fi Address Automatically – For added privacy, you can set your iPhone to rotate its Wi-Fi MAC address automatically on known networks. :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}
13. More Charge Limit Options – Instead of just the standard 80% battery limit, you can now choose 85%, 90% or 95% to better manage battery health. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}
14. Quick Add Widget via App Icon – A long-press on an app icon now offers widget shortcuts (three sizes) directly, making it easier to add widgets from apps. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}
15. Music Haptics in Apple Music – Accessing the haptic engine, the Music app gives subtle tactile feedback matched to music rhythm for compatible devices. :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}
16. New Lightning Menu in Control Center – A Virtual Power button appears in Control Centre letting you power off quickly without pressing physical buttons. :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}
17. Reminders in Calendar App – The Calendar app now integrates Reminders, so you can view and manage tasks alongside your events without switching apps. :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}
18. Instant Link Previews in Messages – When you paste a link in Messages, the preview shows immediately before sending (not just after). :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}
19. Hidden But Useful Animations & UI Effects – Small touches like “bezel pop-out” when pressing volume/power, new icon layout options, and subtle motion effects for smoother feel. :contentReference[oaicite:21]{index=21}

Why These Matter

Many of these features aren’t flashy enough to headline during Apple’s keynote, but they add significant usability and polish. Whether you’re a power user or a casual iPhone owner, adjusting just one or two of these can improve your experience from day one.

Final Thoughts

iOS 18 continues Apple’s trend of deepening how flexible and personal your iPhone can be. Beyond the big updates, these hidden gems make your device smarter, smoother and more tailored to your habits. Try exploring a few items from this list—you may discover features you’ll use every day.