Apple launched iOS 18 Beta 3 on July 9. This update came two weeks after the last beta 2 version. Although the much-anticipated Apple Intelligence is still not seen, it has once again brought new improvements and optimizations to developers and user experience.
So what features or interface tweaks are in iOS 18 Beta 3? Here are the highlights of the update. Feel free to share your thoughts in OTOFLY's comments section.
Dark Icons for Third-party Apps
iOS 18 beta 3 introduces Dark Mode icons. In addition to the apps that come with the iOS 18 system, the third-party app such as Gmail and ChatGPT we commonly use are now also adapting to the Dark Mode icons.
Especially the Apple Maps iocn, the new design ensures that the map background is not too dark.
Siri Support Nod or Shake
Once you've upgraded to iOS 18 Beta 3 and gotten your AirPods Pro matched, you'll be able to nod or shake your head to tell Siri "yes" or "no" when talking to it.
Redesigned Photos App
In previous versions of iOS 18, users had to swipe down to get to the Select button in Photos app. However, in iOS 18 Beta 3, the Select button will be directly displayed in the main Photos interface, making it easier for users to select.
Flashlight Interface Update
In iOS 18 Beta 3, Apple updated the interface for activating the flashlight by long pressing the Dynamic Island. Not only can users conveniently adjust the brightness of the flashlight by swiping up and down, but a new left and right swiping feature has been surprisingly added to adjust the animation effect of light changes.
New Dynamic Wallpaper
The wallpaper that comes with iOS 18 Beta 3 has also been upgraded, and there is now a new dynamic version, which allows users to have the color of the wallpaper change according to the time of the day, bringing users a richer and more personalized visual experience.
Send Multiple Live Stickers
Apple first added several new features to its Messages app in iOS 17 beta and one of these new features is the ability to turn Live Photos into Live Stickers, but limited to sending only one at a time. iOS 18 Beta 3 lifts this restriction. You can now click to send multiple Live Stickers in the message input box at the same time, and you can even display them as small Emoji instead of using extra-large pictures to send to your friends.
Bigger Emoji
The new iOS 18 Beta 3 also enlarges the emojis, and even adds Memoji and stickers to the keyboard, unlike the previous iOS version that could only display a simple Emoji.
Silent Notification
Turning on Focus mode in iOS 18 Beta 3, the Messages app no longer shows the contact name for silenced notifications. Instead, it just says “Messages”.
Read more:
- iOS 18: The best 10 new features
- How to Download the iOS 18 Beta on Your iPhone
- iOS 18: Here are new features coming to your iPhone
- iOS 18 beta 2: Here's what's new
New Arrow Icon in Control Center
On the right side of the Control Center, there will now be small arrow icon on the right side of the AirDrop, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth controls. When the user clicks that arrow icon, submenus will appear for more operations instead of requiring a long press as in Beta 2.
Tweak Eye Tracking
The latest iOS 18 update also makes adjustments to the Eye Tracking feature. When recording, the position of the colored ball is randomly displayed on the screen and will not always revolve around the edge of the screen. This adjustment is expected to record eye tracking more accurately.
RCS in Messages
In the Settings app, the interface for RCS in the Messages has been updated to provide more detailed information. Rather than just turning on or turning off RCS message, it is now a tap-in menu that provides some additional context.
iPhone users in Canada, Spain, France and other countries can now see the RCS toggle, but it's unclear if RCS will work outside the United States.
The above are some of the noticeable changes in iOS 18 Beta 3 update and Apple is expected to release the first public beta of iOS 18 this month.
What other hidden new features and bugs have you found in iOS 18 Beta 3? Welcome to leave a message to share.
