🆕 iOS 18 Best Hidden Features (2026)

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🆕 iOS 18 must-tries: Hide/Lock apps, Customize Control Center, Apple Intelligence (iPhone 15 Pro+), Mail Categories.

iOS 18 added 100+ features. Most users discover only the obvious ones. Here are the 2026 hidden gems: Hidden Apps, Mail Categories, Tinted Icons, Calculator History, Eye Tracking.

🆕 iOS 18 Best Hidden Features (2026)

Customize Control Center (drag + drop widgets)

iOS 18Major

iOS 18 lets you fully customize Control Center. Drag widgets, resize, add 3rd-party. Major upgrade.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: customization

Control Center →

RCS messaging (iPhone ↔ Android improvements)

iMessage upgradeCross-platform

iOS 18 added RCS support. iPhone ↔ Android messages now have read receipts, typing indicators, HD media.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: cross-platform users

RCS →

Hidden + Locked apps (Face ID-protected apps)

PrivacyiOS 18

Long-press app → Hide or Lock. Hidden = removed from Home Screen. Locked = Face ID required to open.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: privacy

Hidden Apps →

Mail Categories (Primary, Promotions, Updates, Transactions)

Mail organizationAuto

iOS 18 Apple Mail auto-categorizes: Primary, Promotions, Updates, Transactions. Like Gmail tabs.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: email-heavy

Mail Categories →

Calculator history (swipe right to see past calculations)

CalculatorUnderused

iOS 18 Calculator finally added HISTORY. Swipe right on Calculator = see past calculations. Math History.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: math users

Calculator History →

Photos app redesign (cleaner + auto-organize)

PhotosMajor redesign

iOS 18 Photos = ground-up redesign. Cleaner. Auto-curated Memories. Some users hate the change.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

Photos Redesign →

✨ Apple Intelligence Features (iOS 18.1+)

Apple Intelligence on iPhone 15 Pro+, iPhone 16 (all)

Hardware floorStrict

Apple Intelligence: iPhone 15 Pro/Max + ALL iPhone 16 models. Requires Apple Silicon Neural Engine.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

AI Compatible →

Writing Tools (rewrite, proofread, summarize)

AI writingSystem-wide

Highlight text anywhere → Writing Tools menu → Rewrite, Proofread, Summarize, Friendly, Professional.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: writers

Writing Tools →

Smart Reply (Mail auto-suggests responses)

Mail AIMajor

Apple Mail with Apple Intelligence suggests reply text. Smart Reply. Saves typing time.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: email users

Smart Reply →

Notification summaries (AI groups + summarizes)

NotificationsUseful

Apple Intelligence summarizes notification stacks. 'Mom 3 messages: dinner Sunday at 6.' Time saver.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: notification overload

Notification Summary →

Genmoji + Image Playground (AI image generation)

CreativeAI

Generate custom Memoji-style stickers + images via Apple Intelligence. Fun creative tool.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: creative users

Genmoji →

Siri with Type to Siri + better understanding

Siri upgradeMajor

Siri got smarter with Apple Intelligence. Type to Siri (long-press side button). Better context understanding.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Siri users

Siri Upgrade →

📱 Other Hidden iOS 18 Gems

Phone app voicemail transcription summaries

VoicemailAI

Voicemail transcription gets summary at top. 'Your dentist confirmed appointment Wednesday.' Quick scan.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: callers

Voicemail →

New Tinted Icons (match wallpaper colors)

AestheticiOS 18

iOS 18 Tinted Icons = app icons tint to match wallpaper. Aesthetic without custom icon hacks.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: aesthetes

Tinted Icons →

Lock Screen control button customization

Lock ScreenCustomize

iOS 18 = customize Lock Screen control buttons (replacing flashlight + camera). Personalize.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: customization

Lock Buttons →

Passwords app (replaces Keychain UI)

New appMajor

iOS 18 added dedicated Passwords app. Better UI than Keychain. Includes 2FA codes + Wi-Fi passwords.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: security

Passwords App →

Apple Wallet adds Tap to Cash (Apple Cash via NFC)

NFCP2P

Apple Wallet → Apple Cash → Tap to Cash. Bring iPhones together → transfer Apple Cash via NFC.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: Apple Cash users

Tap to Cash →

Game Mode (auto-activates when gaming)

Gaming optimizationiOS 18

iOS 18 Game Mode auto-activates during games. Prioritizes performance + reduces background.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: gamers

Game Mode →

⚙️ Settings Changes Worth Exploring

Settings → Apple Intelligence & Siri (massive new section)

SettingsMajor

iOS 18 added 'Apple Intelligence & Siri' Settings section. Configure AI features, Siri, ChatGPT integration.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: AI setup

AI Settings →

Settings → Battery → Charging Optimization expanded

BatteryExpanded

Battery settings now show: 80% Charge Limit (iPhone 15+), more granular charging control.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: battery health

Battery Settings →

Settings → Apps (new app management section)

AppsReorganized

iOS 18 reorganized Settings → Apps. Per-app settings consolidated. Cleaner navigation.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: navigation

Apps Section →

Settings → Eye Tracking (accessibility — control with eye movement)

AccessibilityMajor

iOS 18 added Eye Tracking accessibility. Control iPhone with eye movements. Camera-based.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: accessibility

Eye Tracking →

Settings → Tap Tempo (haptic feedback customization)

HapticsiOS 18

iOS 18 lets you customize haptic intensity + tempo. Per-app haptic settings. Premium feel.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: haptic lovers

Haptics →

💡 Best Quick Wins from iOS 18

Lock or Hide sensitive apps (long-press → Hide)

PrivacyEasy

Take 30 seconds to Hide or Lock 2-3 sensitive apps (banking, dating, work). Major privacy win.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: privacy

Hide Apps →

Customize Control Center for your most-used (5 min)

CustomizeRecommended

Open Control Center → tap + → add/rearrange. Add: Apple Pay, Shazam, Magnifier, etc.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users

Customize CC →

Enable Apple Intelligence (if eligible) — 30 min download

AIiPhone 15 Pro+

Settings → Apple Intelligence → ON. Downloads ~5GB. Unlocks Writing Tools + Smart Reply + Genmoji.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: AI users

Enable AI →

Update Apple Mail to use Categories (cleaner inbox)

MailAuto

Apple Mail Categories auto-organize: Primary, Promotions, Updates, Transactions. Like Gmail tabs. Cleaner.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: email-heavy

Mail Categories →

Try new Photos app (some hate, some love redesign)

PhotosTry it

iOS 18 Photos redesign is divisive. Try it. Single carousel scroll. Some love, some prefer old. Personal preference.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowing

Photos Redesign →

🆕 iOS 18 Best Hidden Features (2026)