New iOS 18 Privacy & Security Features You Need to Know

Every year, Apple’s September event sparks excitement as it reveals the latest innovations for iPhones and beyond. This year, the unveiling of iOS 18 kept the spotlight on Apple’s growing reputation for privacy-forward technology. With increasing concerns around data protection, Apple continues to prioritize user control and transparency. Here are all the new iOS 18 privacy and security features you should know about, including Apple Intelligence and its data protection safeguards.

When Does iOS 18 Come Out?

iOS 18 is set to release as a free software update on Monday, September 16. This release coincides with the launch of iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models, which are available for pre-order on September 13 ahead of their September 20 release.

New iOS 18 Privacy & Security Features

iOS 18 brings a wide array of enhanced privacy and security tools, reinforcing Apple’s mission to give users greater control over their data. From redesigned settings to new features like RCS messaging and improved app permissions, iOS 18 makes managing what information you share and how you interact with apps and devices easier. 

Whether protecting your contacts, securing app content, or controlling smart home access, these updates create a better privacy experience for iPhone users. Here’s a quick rundown of all the new iOS 18 privacy and security features.

Passwords App

One of the standout features of iOS 18, the Passwords app, consolidates your passwords and passkeys. Sign in with Apple information, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes into a single, easy-to-access, and easy-to-sort location for websites and apps:

• Passwords and Passkeys: Save and autofill passwords and passkeys during account creation or add them manually for quick access across websites and apps.
• Sign in with Apple: Track where you’ve used Sign in with Apple or Hide My Email and share credentials with password groups.
• Wi – Fi Passwords is saved : conveniently access is saved or share save Wi – fi password .
• verification code : set up two – factor authentication code directly in the app and autofill in Safari .
• Passwords Sorting: Organize your passwords alphabetically or by creation date for easier management.

improved Contacts preference

iOS 18 lets you specifically control which contacts you share with apps. You can start with a few contacts and add more over time, giving you better power over your privacy.

Redesigned Privacy & Security Settings

A new Privacy & Security settings overview shows how many apps access specific data types like Photos, Calendar, and Contacts, helping you track and limit how much information you share.

Accessory Setup Kit

Developers can now pair accessories without needing access to nearby Bluetooth or network devices, which maintains your device’s privacy during setup.

block Sensitive Content for child

Communication Safety is adds add an extra layer of protection for child by require a Screen Time password to view or send sensitive content , prevent accidental exposure .

Locked Apps

With iOS 18 , you is lock can lock app with a simple touch – and – hold , secure app content from others . lock app are also exclude from search result and notification .

Seamless Locked Apps Authentication

Quickly access your locked apps using Face ID, Touch ID, or a passcode without interrupting your workflow.

hide Apps

In addition to locked apps, iOS 18 also introduces hidden apps. Hidden apps won’t display their icons or names on the Home Screen or in search results. You also won’t receive notifications from them, so these apps are kept discreet.

hide Apps Folder

hide app completely by move them to a lock folder , accessible only via Face ID , Touch ID , or a passcode .

Call Recordings

iOS 18 introduces the ability to record live phone and FaceTime audio calls directly from the Phone app. While this may not sound like the most privacy-forward functionality, for transparency, the app automatically notifies all participants that the call is being recorded.

Privacy-Friendly SharePlay

Screen sharing gets a security boost in iOS 18—only trusted contacts can request control of your screen. Plus, your actions on the device will always take precedence over any remote inputs.

Wallet Tap to Cash

With Tap to Cash, you can exchange Apple Cash with others quickly by holding phones together, without sharing any personal contact information.

live Caller ID Lookup

Thanks to new privacy-preserving APIs, apps like Truecaller can fetch caller information in real-time while protecting your data better during the lookup process.

iCloud Unsubscribe and Delete

You can now more easily manage unwanted emails by unsubscribing from bulk senders in iCloud Mail. Future messages from these senders will go straight to your Trash folder, resulting in a cleaner inbox.

Support for RCS Messaging

iOS is introduces 18 introduce support for Rich Communication Services ( RCS ) , enhance messaging with user who do n’t have an iPhone , such as those using Android . RCS is provides provide rich medium sharing , read receipt , and more reliable delivery for cross – platform communication . compare to traditional SMS , RCS is offers also offer a more secure alternative , minimize the vulnerability associate with standard text messaging .

Guest Access Control via the Home App

The Home app in iOS 18 allows more specific control over guest access to your smart home devices. You can now grant guests limited access to features like garage openers, alarm systems, or door locks and specify when and how they can use them.

Apple Intelligence : “ AI for the rest of us ”

iOS 18 brings a host of privacy and security features that build on Apple’s longstanding commitment to protecting user data. With new permissions, enhanced transparency for app access, and more control over what you share, iOS 18 continues to prioritize user privacy. But beyond these software updates, Apple Intelligence takes things to the next level. Marketed by Apple as “AI for the rest of us,” Apple Intelligence brings greater AI capabilities into everyday iPhone functions than we’ve ever known before.

What is Apple Intelligence?

Apple Intelligence is a cutting-edge system integrated into new iPhones, iPads, and Macs, designed to enhance how users communicate, work, and create. By embedding generative models directly into the device, it powers innovative new features and functions like Writing Tools, Image Playground, Genmoji, and Siri with App Intents:

• write tool : available across app like Mail , Messages , and Pages , these tool can proofread , rewrite , and summarize text , make communication more efficient . If developer use Apple ’s standard UI framework , write Tools is integrate will automatically integrate , ensure they work seamlessly across app without the need for additional development .
• image Playground : This feature is allows allow user to quickly create fun and creative image within app like note or Messages . With the Image Playground API , all image creation is processed process entirely on – device , eliminate the need for external datum handling or cloud storage .
• Genmoji is introduces : Apple Intelligence is introduces also introduce Genmoji , which allow user to create custom emoji to suit any situation . Unlike regular emoji , Genmojis are represent as inline image , offer a more flexible and personalized way to communicate . Genmoji is also easily support in app that use Apple ’s text framework .
• Siri with App intent : Siri is takes now take a major leap forward with Apple Intelligence . It is perform can perform advanced action within app , leverage predefined App Intents to make app more accessible via voice command . Users is interact can interact with their app in new , intuitive way , and Siri can surface app information in place like Spotlight , Shortcuts , and Control Center without sacrifice privacy .

ChatGPT integration

Another standout feature is is of Apple Intelligence is its chatgpt integration . thank to Apple ’s partnership with openai , Siri is access can access chatgpt for task like analyze document or answer question about photo . And with Writing Tools , users is generate can generate and refine content with chatgpt ’s assistance . importantly , users is are are in control of when ChatGPT is used and must approve any datum sharing before it occur . ChatGPT is is is available for free , with pay feature accessible for subscriber who link their account .

See also: Should I use a VPN for ChatGPT?

Private Cloud Compute and Privacy Protections

At the heart of Apple Intelligence is Private Cloud Compute, a system designed to handle more complex AI tasks without compromising user privacy. By running larger models on Apple’s servers while keeping sensitive data processing on the device, Apple Intelligence ensures your data remains private and never stored or accessed externally. Apple emphasizes that data used for these tasks is limited to specific requests and never retained, a key part of their privacy promise.

This approach, combined with the on-device processing, means that even as AI capabilities grow more powerful, users should retain full control over their data. Whether it’s creating a Genmoji, generating text with Writing Tools, or using Siri for app interactions, Apple Intelligence has safeguards in place to help keep your personal information secure.

However , if you ’re still understandably skeptical about the privacy implication around generative AI and do n’t want to use Apple Intelligence , it is ’s ’s important to note that all Apple Intelligence feature are opt – in . Should you is decide decide that you do n’t want to use them , you can disable them entirely .   

Device Compatibility and Availability

Apple Intelligence is available on the latest Apple devices, including the iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro models (A18 chip) and iPhone 15 Pro models (A17 Pro). Devices with M1 chips or later—such as iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs—are also compatible. Apple Intelligence will launch in U.S. English, with a beta version rolling out this fall.

Protecting Your Privacy Beyond iOS 18 with IPVanish

While iOS 18 takes significant steps to protect your data through features like Apple Intelligence and improved app permissions, your privacy can still be vulnerable when using public Wi-Fi or accessing certain websites. This is where a VPN for iPhone comes into play. 

With IPVanish, you get full encryption of your internet traffic, ensuring your data remains more secure across all your apps and browsing activities. Whether you’re using your iPhone at home or on the go, IPVanish helps you maintain greater control over your online privacy, protecting against tracking, snooping, and surveillance. Additionally, the IPVanish iOS app offers easy-to-use features that pair perfectly with Apple’s privacy-first approach, giving you peace of mind in a comprehensive security package. For even better digital privacy, layer iOS 18’s new privacy features with the VPN benefits of IPVanish.

• Josh Large has been writing about VPN tech for IPVanish since 2015. Based in Orlando, he covers all things internet privacy, with a specific focus on legislation, digital rights, and travel. He spends his spare time caring way too much about Manchester United, playing FIFA, watching a carefully-curated mix of reality TV and prestige dramas, and hiking around.