Apple’s latest update, iOS 18.6, is here, and it’s packed with more than just the usual bug fixes. This version introduces several powerful settings that can fundamentally change how you use your iPhone. If you want a smarter, more personal, and efficient device, exploring these new options is a must. This guide shows you exactly which settings to tweak to unlock your iPhone’s full potential right now.
Tame Your Inbox by Customizing the Mail App
Many users find the automatic email sorting in the Mail app more confusing than helpful. If you miss the classic, single-stream inbox, Apple has provided a way to get it back. You no longer have to deal with categories like Promotions and Updates if you don’t want to.
For a quick fix, you can simply swipe to the end of the category list and tap on the All Mail button. This brings all your emails back into one chronological view.
However, if you want to remove the categories for good, there is a more permanent solution. Tap the three-dot menu in your inbox, select List View, and your email will return to a simple, unified list. This small change can restore a sense of control over your digital mail.
Make Your Lock Screen Truly Yours
The flashlight and camera buttons on the lock screen are useful, but they are not for everyone. Accidental flashlight activations are a common annoyance. With iOS 18.6, you are no longer stuck with these defaults. You can now swap them for shortcuts you will actually use every day.
This opens up a world of convenience, allowing you to launch apps like Shazam or enable Airplane Mode directly from your lock screen. To customize these buttons, follow these simple steps:
- First, touch and hold your finger on the lock screen until the customization menu appears.
- Tap the Customize button, and then select Lock Screen.
- Press the minus (–) icon on either the flashlight or camera to remove it.
- Tap the empty plus (+) space to see a list of available actions and choose a new one.
- Repeat the process for the other corner if you wish, then tap Done to save your changes.
This level of personalization makes your lock screen a powerful launchpad for your most-used features.
Let Apple Intelligence Prioritize Your Notifications
Feeling overwhelmed by constant alerts? The new Prioritize Notifications feature is designed to bring calm to the chaos. It uses Apple Intelligence to analyze your incoming alerts and decide which ones are important enough to show you immediately.
This means messages from friends and family get top priority, while promotional pings from apps are silenced and grouped for later. It’s a smart system that learns your habits over time. You can enable and adjust this feature by going to Settings, then Notifications, and finally selecting Prioritize Notifications. From there, you can fine-tune how aggressively it filters alerts on an app-by-app basis.
Unleash the Power of the Action Button
For users with an iPhone 15 Pro or newer, the Action button is now more versatile than ever. It’s no longer just a mute switch. You can program it to perform a wide range of tasks with a single press, turning it into a true productivity shortcut.
Imagine launching your camera, starting a voice memo, or even running a complex shortcut that orders your morning coffee. The possibilities are vast. Check out some of the popular uses for the Action Button.
| Action Category | Example Use |
|---|---|
| Camera | Instantly open the Camera app in video mode. |
| Shortcuts | Run a custom “going home” shortcut that texts a family member and gets directions. |
| Accessibility | Turn on the Magnifier to read small text. |
| Visual Intelligence | Scan and translate text on a sign or menu. |
To set this up, navigate to Settings > Action Button and swipe through the available options. Pick the one that best fits your daily routine.
Personalize Your Home Screen Layout and Icons
Apple has finally relaxed its strict grid system for the home screen. You can now place app icons and widgets almost anywhere you want, creating open space to better see your wallpaper. The icons still align to a grid, but you are no longer forced to have them fill in from the top-left corner.
The customization goes even further, allowing you to change the look of your app icons.
- Color Tints: You can apply a tint to all your icons to match your wallpaper. Use the eyedropper tool to pick a color for a unified look.
- Dark and Light Modes: Icons can now have a dark background to match the system-wide Dark Mode.
- Icon Size: You can choose a larger icon size, which also conveniently removes the app labels for a cleaner, minimalist appearance.
To access these options, just touch and hold the home screen, tap Edit, and then select Customize.
Transform App Icons into Interactive Widgets
Widgets have become much more flexible. Instead of adding a separate, bulky widget to your screen, you can now resize an app icon directly into a widget. This allows you to see live information without fully opening the app.
For example, you can expand your Maps app icon into a small, live map that shows your current location. When you’re done, you can just as easily shrink it back down to a standard icon. To do this, touch and hold an app icon and use the resize buttons to expand or shrink it. It’s a dynamic and space-saving way to get more from your home screen.
Finally Hear Movie Dialogue Clearly
If you are tired of constantly adjusting the volume to hear dialogue in movies, only to be blasted by loud explosions, this new setting is for you. The TV app now includes an audio feature specifically designed to make voices clearer.
While watching a video, tap the More options button (the three dots), go to the Audio menu, and select Enhance Dialogue. You can choose between an ‘Enhance’ or ‘Boost’ setting to reduce background noise and amplify speech. This makes watching dramas and action movies on your iPhone a much more pleasant experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main benefit of the iOS 18.6 update?
The main benefit is a significant increase in personalization and smart functionality. It allows you to customize key areas like the lock screen, home screen, and notifications to better suit your needs, making your iPhone feel more intuitive and efficient.
How do I turn off email categories in the Mail app?
To permanently disable email categories, open the Mail app, tap the three-dot menu icon at the top of your inbox, and select “List View.” This will merge all your emails into a single, chronological list.
Can I change the Action Button on any iPhone?
No, the customizable Action Button is a hardware feature exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro and subsequent Pro models. Older iPhones and standard models do not have this button.
Is Apple Intelligence required for all these new features?
No, many features like home screen customization and the Mail app’s List View are standard iOS 18.6 updates. However, features like Prioritize Notifications specifically rely on Apple Intelligence to function.
What does the Enhance Dialogue feature actually do?
The Enhance Dialogue feature in the TV app uses audio processing to identify and amplify human voices in a video’s soundtrack. At the same time, it softens loud background noises and music, making conversations much easier to hear.
Can I move my app icons anywhere I want on the home screen?
You have much more freedom, but the icons still snap to an invisible grid. This means you can leave empty spaces between icons and place them at the bottom of the screen, but you cannot place them in a completely free-form way.
