iPhone users urged to download iOS 18.1 TODAY or risk being hacked – here’s how to get latest software

Apple is about to launch its new iOS 18.1, which will include the long-awaited AI feature and several security fixes for iPhones running the previous version.

CEO Tim Cook has touted Apple Intelligence as “a new chapter of innovation,” focusing on “generative” AI models that let users create text or images based on clues.

The system will have the ability to create “Genmojis,” new emoji characters based on text prompts in iMessage, edit photos, and include a revamped Siri with better conversation skills.

The new iOS 18 system will arrive on smartphones at 1:00 PM ET, but only the iPhone 16 family and high-end 15 devices support Apple Intelligence.

There is also a waitlist for the AI ​​feature and users can claim their spot after downloading the update.

“Apple Intelligence is currently estimated to be available for activation within a few hours of joining the waitlist, although wait times may vary,” Apple said.

The new iOS 18.1 is said to include vulnerability and bug fixes for issues such as unexpected restarts or an issue with podcasts where unplayed episodes appear as if they have already been played.

To install iOS 18.1, open the Settings app. Then navigate to General and tap Software Update.

It will take a few seconds for your phone to check for new updates, and if the update is available, you should see it appear on your screen.

Then tap Install Now. If you see Download and Install instead, tap it to download the update, enter your passcode, and then tap Install Now.

Once iOS 18 is installed, you’ll need to join the Apple Intelligence waitlist.

To do that, go to Settings, tap Apple Intelligence and Siri, then tap “Apple Intelligence Waitlist.”

You will receive a notification when Apple Intelligence is ready to activate on your iPhone. Once activated, the AI ​​functions will start downloading.

These include intelligent writing tools that let you proofread, rewrite, and summarize text anywhere you can write words, like Mail, Notes, Messages, and other apps.

The proofreading feature suggests better words to use and corrects grammatical errors.

With rewriting options you can make your text sound friendlier, more concise or more professional.

After installing iOS 18.1, people with an iPhone 16, 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max can join the waiting list for Apple Intelligence

And by summarizing, Apple Intelligence can read your text and create a short summary of the most important points.

The Photos app also gets a new Cleanup feature that lets you quickly remove any unwanted object from a photo.

For example, if someone enters the background of your selfie, you can remove the photobomb by tapping on it.

The update says goodbye to mindless searching in the Photos app by letting users enter keywords to find specific images, such as “Mom in front of the Eiffel Tower.”

You can also create a custom memory movie in Photos with Apple Intelligence.

To do that, you just have to enter a description and the AI ​​will find the best matching photos and videos and then arrange them into a movie with its own storyline.

The launch version of Apple Intelligence will also come with productivity features. The AI ​​can summarize notifications from multiple apps, including Messages, Mail, and more. It also prioritizes notifications that require your immediate attention.

With the new Focus Interruption Reduction feature, your iPhone can intelligently notify you of important notifications and mute unimportant notifications.

And the Mail app gets a priority messaging feature that sorts important emails at the top of your inbox.

Siri is getting a whole host of upgrades. In addition to the flashy new interface, the digital assistant will come equipped with a new level of intelligence and capabilities to help it complete tasks for you.

The bot has new product knowledge that allows it to answer questions about your device’s features and settings. You can even ask for help while you’re learning to do something new on your iPhone, and Siri will give you instructions.

It will also be easier to interact with Siri thanks to a more natural voice and the ability to type requests to the bot instead of relying solely on voice activation.

Siri can also remember requests you’ve made in the past and use them to respond to new requests.

These are just a handful of the full suite of Apple Intelligence features that will eventually come to iPhones.

Most of the features that have made headlines since Apple first announced the AI ​​in June are still months in the making – and some are scheduled for 2025.