iOS is Apple’s operating system for the iPhone and iPad. It’s also the basis for tvOS for the Apple TV and watchOS for the Apple Watch. It’s even beginning to infiltrate the Mac in some ways. Apple has worked hard to keep iOS private and secure, and it has a huge ecosystem of apps via its official App Store. Some have argued that it is too locked down, but the trade-off is that it’s fast and stable for most users.
With iOS 18.4, EU users will be able to make the change from the default apps menu in settings, MacRumors reports. The update is in beta testing now and is expected to launch widely in April.
The iOS and iPadOS versions of Dropbox’s mobile app were updated this week with support for Live Photos which was first introduced on the iPhone 6S and iOS 9 in 2015, as spotted by 9to5Mac.
As with Apple’s Photos app, you can press and hold on a Live Photo in Dropbox to play the short video. You can also convert Live Photos to still images and back again, and convert HEIC Live Photos to JPEGs.
A new batch of Apple security updates today that includes iOS 18.3.2 and macOS 15.3.2 might re-enable Apple Intelligence (again), but it also supplements an issue first addressed in iOS 17.2, where “Maliciously crafted web content may be able to break out of Web Content sandbox,” according to an Apple update note spotted by 9to5Mac.
That’s according to 9to5Mac, which spotted code in the latest iOS 18.4 developer beta suggesting the Home app is dropping support for the older version.
The updated HomeKit, which Apple rolled out in 2023, is required if you want to use Matter devices. If you’re not sure how to upgrade, check out our handy guide for doing so.
Some Mint Mobile users on Reddit found that they can enable RCS on the second iOS 18.4 developer beta, Android Authority reports. Another Redditor says the beta could enable RCS for other T-Mobile MVNOs, too.
[androidauthority.com]
9to5Mac spotted that iOS Shortcuts in today’s beta release now offers actions to change settings in iOS apps, including Safari, Maps, and Voice Memos. The outlet guesses it’s in preparation for Apple’s coming Siri upgrade that lets it perform tasks for you, both in and across apps.
New options include turning on “Avoid Hills” for Apple Maps cycling directions or setting the recording quality of Voice Memos.
9to5Mac reported on the seven new emoji added in iOS 18.4’s latest developer beta, and Apple’s take on “Face with bags under eyes” feels very appropriate for this year.
Vision Pro owners should see the app if they install the visionOS 2.4 developer beta today. Last month, Apple described Spatial Gallery as containing a curated selection of spatial videos, photos, and panoramas, including things like behind-the-scenes clips from Apple TV Plus shows like Severance and Shrinking.
iOS 18.4’s second developer beta, which is also out now, adds the iOS Apple Vision Pro app, which lets you browse and remotely install Vision Pro apps.
Idrees Hassan has created a free iOS app called PicoChat that recreates the Nintendo DS’ messaging experience in iMessage, as spotted by Overkill.
You can type out messages on a tiny keyboard or make drawings to send to your contacts, complete with a simulated stylus that appears onscreen as you doodle. The app generates a PictoChat-themed image of your message you can send to others, giving them a similar experience without installing the app.
The new row comes courtesy of Apple’s latest iOS 18.4 beta, but it only seems to show up on cars with larger displays. A welcome change while we wait for CarPlay 2 to arrive... someday.
Three months after adding a dedicated Gemini app to iOS, Google is making that the only place to use its AI assistant on an iPhone. Gemini no longer works in the standard Google app. The move comes just after Google added support for Gemini’s Deep Research mode to mobile, including iOS.
[androidcentral.com]
A new interface update adds search and quick navigation buttons to the main screen on the right side, so you don’t have to tap to make the top bar appear to start your next trip, 9to5Google and autoevolution report. The new shortcut button lets you tap to quickly begin navigating to home or work based on the time of day.
The new version of Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp -- free of in-app purchases -- debuted last December at $9.99 for a limited time.
For those who have been dragging their feet on buying the new Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete for either iOS or Android, that limited time offer runs out before the end of this week. At 1AM ET on January 31st, the game will increase in price to $19.99.
You can log into multiple WhatsApp accounts on one iOS device in a recent iOS beta version, writes WABetaInfo.
In the case of Android phones, which have had the feature since 2023, you need a multi-SIM card phone and a second phone number to register another account.
And 76 percent of iPhone introduced in the last four years are on it, too, according to Apple’s iOS adoption stats that were spotted by 9to5Mac. The figures, from Apple, are “As measured by devices that transacted on the App Store on January 21, 2025.”
[developer.apple.com]
