iOS 18.1 Beta 5 brings new control center features, camera upgrades, and enhanced iPhone-Mac integration

Title: iOS 18.1 Beta 5 Brings New Control Center Features, Camera Upgrades, and Enhanced iPhone-Mac Integration

Key Points:

1. New Wi-Fi and VPN controls added to iOS 18.1 Control Center.
2. iPhone 16 Camera Control now supports selfie mode and easier switching.
3. Drag-and-drop between iPhone and Mac enabled in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1.

iOS 18.1 Beta 5 Overview

Apple has released iOS 18.1 Beta 5, which brings several updates for iPhone users, including enhancements to the Control Center, Camera Control for iPhone 16, and improved integration with macOS. Here’s a closer look at what’s new in this beta update.

1. New Connectivity Tools in the Control Center

iOS 18.1 Beta 5 adds more flexibility to the Control Center by introducing two new connectivity controls for Wi-Fi and VPN. These additions allow users to customize their Control Center with standalone toggles for important features, joining existing options like Airplane Mode and Bluetooth. This upgrade makes it easier to manage wireless connections without digging through multiple menus.

Additionally, users now can reset the Control Center to its default layout. This option can be helpful if your customizations get too complicated, offering a simple way to start fresh.

2. Enhanced Camera Control for iPhone 16

One of the more exciting changes in iOS 18.1 is the improvement to the Camera Control feature for iPhone 16. Users can now easily switch between the front and rear cameras when taking selfies. To access this feature, simply follow these steps:

• Open the Camera app.
• Lightly press the Camera Control icon.
• Navigate to the “Cameras” menu to select the selfie option.

This update streamlines the process of switching cameras, making it more intuitive for users who frequently take photos in various settings. Along with switching cameras, users can still control zoom, exposure, and other advanced settings via Camera Control.

3. Drag-and-Drop for iPhone Mirroring with macOS

In one of the most anticipated updates, iOS 18.1 Beta 5, alongside macOS Sequoia 15.1, now enables drag-and-drop functionality between your iPhone and Mac when using iPhone Mirroring. This feature allows users to seamlessly transfer files and images by dragging them from the iPhone to the Mac and vice versa. This builds on the already useful iPhone Mirroring feature introduced in earlier iOS versions, which allows users to control their iPhone directly from their Mac screen.

This update brings iPhone-Mac integration closer, enhancing productivity for users who rely on both devices.

Other Notable Changes in iOS 18.1 Beta 5

• Apple Intelligence: Improvements in Apple’s AI features continue, particularly for iPhone 15 Pro and later models.
• Apple Watch App Icon: A slight tweak has been made to the Apple Watch app icon.
• Camera Control Accessibility: Users now have the option to disable “light press” in Camera Control, simplifying the photo-taking process.

iOS 18.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1 are expected to be released to the public soon, bringing these exciting new features to all users. In the meantime, both betas are available for developers and public testers.