Apple has just released the latest update for the iPhone, iOS 18.0.1. This comes hot on the heels of the general release of iOS 18 on Sept. 16, and there was also a first-day update for iPhone 16 users shortly after, also called iOS 18.
But now, we have the first proper update. It has security issues—read what Forbes contributor Kate O’Flaherty has to say about those here—and, just as importantly, it fixes problems which arose in the general release. And it fixes them quickly: often it’s weeks between a problem being reported and the solution appearing but here it’s been just a matter of days, something which was known about already.
Note that I’ll be assessing the success of this release and whether you should install it shortly.
Which iPhones Can Run iOS 18.0.1?
This time around, Apple maintained compatibility with all the iPhones which could run last year’s software, iOS 17. That means any iPhone released in 2018 or later, from the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xr onwards. It also includes iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max and all models in the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series, plus iPhone SE second- and third-generation models.
How To Get It
Unlike iOS 18’s first release, this is a much smaller file, so it should install lickety-split. For my iPhone 16 Pro Max, it weighed 478.2MB and was on the iPhone less than five minutes after I clicked download.
To get it, open the Settings app, choose General, then Software Update. Next, click Download and Install, and let the software do its business.
What’s In The Release
Often, Apple’s notes are sparse and simply say they are there to address security issues, but this time we’re left in no doubt that this update is far from just security-based.
First, it fixes a minor but annoying problem where, if your thumb was resting on the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro display in certain positions, the display would become unresponsive. This issue was restricted to the latest iPhone 16 releases. In my first testing, I’m happy to say this problem has been resolved.
Next, a camera issue has been fixed. I never came across this but some iPhone 16 Pro users found that the camera could freeze in one particular circumstance: when recording macro mode video on the Ultra Wide lens in 4K with HDR turned off.
Another very specific issue was in Messages. Some users found that if they shared a Watch face with another iPhone user and that user replied, the iPhone would crash.
Finally, a performance problem due to memory allocation has been addressed.
No new features, then—those will come later this month when iOS 18.1 launches with Apple Intelligence—but useful fixes.
