What is Included in the iOS 18 Update?
The iOS 18 update was released on September 16, 2022 and includes several new features and improvements that could impact the way you develop for iOS devices. Some of the most significant changes include:
Improved Accessibility Features
Apple has added a number of new accessibility features to the iOS 18 update that are designed to make it easier for users with disabilities to interact with their devices. These include:
- New support for VoiceOver in Braille displays
- Improved support for Siri voice commands
- New keyboard shortcuts and gestures for accessibility
- Enhanced support for third-party accessories, such as switches and joysticks
Updated Privacy Features
The iOS 18 update also includes several new privacy features that are designed to give users more control over their data. Some of the most significant changes include:
- New privacy settings for apps that request access to your location data
- Improved support for App Library, which allows you to easily manage and organize your apps by category
- New support for Passkey authentication, which uses a combination of biometric data (such as fingerprints or facial recognition) and passcodes to secure your device
Enhanced Security Features
Finally, the iOS 18 update includes several new security features that are designed to help protect your device from threats. These include:
- New support for multi-factor authentication using biometric data
- Improved support for end-to-end encryption across all devices and apps
- Enhanced support for App Store Connect, which allows developers to manage their apps and distribute them to users more securely
How the iOS 18 Update Might Impact Your Development Workflow
Now that we’ve taken a look at some of the key features in the iOS 18 update, let’s explore how they might impact your development workflow.
Improved Accessibility Features
One of the most significant changes in the iOS 18 update is the new support for VoiceOver in Braille displays. This could be particularly useful for developers who are working on apps that need to be accessible to users with visual impairments. By incorporating VoiceOver into your app, you can make it easier for users with disabilities to navigate and interact with your app.
Additionally, the new keyboard shortcuts and gestures for accessibility could also make it easier for developers to create more accessible apps in general. For example, by using keyboard shortcuts and gestures to control different parts of an app, you can make it easier for users with motor impairments to interact with your app.
Updated Privacy Features
The new privacy settings for apps that request access to your location data could be particularly useful for developers who are working on apps that require access to a user’s location data. By providing clear and concise explanations of why an app needs access to location data, you can help build trust with users and ensure that they are comfortable sharing this information with your app.
Additionally, the new support for App Library could make it easier for developers to manage and organize their apps by category. This could be particularly useful for larger teams that have a lot of different apps to keep track of. By using App Library to group similar apps together, you can help streamline your development workflow and make it easier to find the apps you need when you need them.
Enhanced Security Features
Finally, the new multi-factor authentication using biometric data could be particularly useful for developers who are working on apps that require users to log in using their biometric data (such as fingerprints or facial recognition). By incorporating biometric authentication into your app, you can make it easier and more secure for users to log in and access their accounts.
Additionally, the enhanced support for end-to-end encryption across all devices and apps could be particularly useful for developers who are working on apps that need to transmit sensitive data (such as financial or personal information).