Sneaky Apple update will ‘end relationships’

Millions of iPhones can be upgraded with Apple’s new iOS 18 operating system, but some are worried a new feature could “end relationships”.

Apple is releasing its free iOS 18 upgrade to millions of iPhones today, but some are worried one new feature will “end relationships” by enabling cheaters to hide content from their partners.

The mega update to the iPhone operating system includes the “biggest redesign ever” to the photo app and a new fully customisable home screen similar to Android.

But the inclusion of a “private folder” feature, which allows users to lock and hide apps on their iPhones’ home screen, has sparked concern from some who fear it could be misused.

Apple’s free iOS 18 upgrade includes a “hidden folder” feature, which some users fear could enable cheaters to hide dodgy apps and messages from their partners. Picture: Apple

Apple users can also lock apps already programmed into their phones, such as Photos. Picture: Apple

“Users can now lock an app, and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder,” the company shared in June when first announcing iOS18.

“When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system.”

Users will be able to obscure any app’s icon and name on the home screen and even pause notifications – with the only way to unlock the “hidden folder” using Face ID or a passcode.

“Locked and hidden apps offer users peace of mind that information they want to keep private, such as app notifications and content, will not inadvertently be seen by others,” Apple said Monday.

“Users can now lock an app; and for additional privacy, they can hide an app, moving it to a locked, hidden apps folder.”

Social media was flooded with posts from concerned iPhone users.

“iOS 18 and new iPhones are gonna make these birds cheat… this is crazy. Relationships are dead,” one X user posted.

“Cheaters and men on the down low about to have a field day with the hidden apps folder on iOS18,” added another.

“iOS 18 trying to convert diehard android men who cheat to iPhones,” joked a third.

“With #iOS18 you’ll have a load of seedy partners hiding their dating apps in the hidden, locked folder,” posted another sceptic.

Apple users can also lock apps already programmed into their phones, such as Mail, Messages, Notes, Phone, Photos, and Safari.

Those apps can be set only to be opened with a Face ID.

iPhone users can finally place app icons anywhere on the home screen. Picture: Apple

‘Biggest redesign ever’: Photo app transformed

The Photos app on your iPhone will look quite different once iOS 18 is installed, which Apple has dubbed the “biggest redesign ever”.

Snaps will be organised better than before, with topics like Recent Days, Trips and People & Pets in the Collections section.

You can pin collections that are more important to you as well so you have faster access to them.

Customise how your iPhone looks

Apple is giving users a lot more freedom to decide how their iPhone looks, in a similar way to Android.

You can finally place app icons anywhere, not just a row starting from the top or stuck to the usual rigid grid system.

And if you want a nice consistent theme, you can add colour tints for app icons and folders too.

Apple is making the Control Centre more customisable, with the ability to add groups and change how they look.

AI nowhere to be seen

Sadly, the firm’s “Apple Intelligence” AI tools won’t be seen until at least October as part of the next iOS 18.1 update.

The features are expected to be available as a software download on the iPhone 16 and other premium models next month, but only as a test and in English.

In the short-term, the new powers are set to include AI-infused image editing, translation, and small, creative touches in messaging, but not more ambitious breakthroughs promised by other AI players, such as OpenAI or Google.

The features are similar to tools recently released by Meta, Microsoft and Google, which can produce well-crafted content simply by querying in everyday language.

The Control Centre has also had a complete overhaul. Picture: Apple

Messaging improvements

Apple has done some work on the messaging app.

There are more reactions beyond the limited six that were available before.

You can also add animated effects to any letter, word, phrase or emoji in the Messages app.

Elsewhere, you can even schedule messages to be sent at a certain time of your choosing.

Apple has finally added support for RCS (Rich Communication Services) which means you can send or receive photos, videos and see read receipts from friends with an Android device.

New passwords app

Apple is releasing a brand new app for passwords on iPhone.

This will keep all your passwords securely in one place, as well as important security alerts.

Better still, the passwords app can be used across iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Vision Pro, and Windows, so you can access them easily on plenty of devices.

- With The US Sun

Originally published as Sneaky Apple update will ‘end relationships’