Apple has rolled out the first public beta for iOS 18 as of July 15, a little over a month following its announcement at the Worldwide Developers Conference. This beta version introduces a variety of new features, including customizable home and lock screens, to developers and beta testers. It also enhances the Notes app by allowing users to create collapsible sections for better organization.
Important considerations for beta users
Since iOS 18 is currently in its beta stage, it’s advisable to install it on a secondary device rather than your primary one. Beta versions often come with bugs and may result in shorter battery life. For instance, I’ve installed it on my old iPhone XR to avoid any potential issues on my main iPhone 14 Pro.
It’s crucial to remember that this is not the final release of iOS 18. Additional features might be added before the official public release. Apple has indicated that iOS 18 will be available to the general public in the fall, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed.
New feature: Collapsible sections in notes
If you’ve installed the iOS 18 beta, you can take advantage of the new feature in the Notes app that lets you create collapsible sections for better organization. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
- Open the Notes app.
- Tap the new note button (a square with a pen) in the bottom right corner.
- Add a title to your note, such as “Weeks of the Month”.
- Access the toolbar by tapping the Aa at the top of your keyboard (you might need to tap the + sign in the top corner to open the toolbar).
- Select Heading or Subheading to name your sections, like “Days of the Week”.
- Fill out the information under your headings and subheadings.
- Tap the space just before your headings or subheadings to reveal a down arrow to the left.
- Tap the arrow to collapse everything under the heading or subheading.
Final notes
As iOS 18 is still in development, users should be prepared for potential bugs and shortcomings in battery life. Installing it on a device other than your primary phone is a wise precaution. The final release of iOS 18 is anticipated this fall, bringing possibly more features and improvements.
With these updates, Apple aims to provide a more organized and customizable experience for iPhone users, starting with those participating in the beta testing phase.
