iOS 18 Enhancements: Widgetsmith update, T9 dialing, and new control center features

Key Points:

1. Widgetsmith’s new ‘Actions’ system for enhanced customization.
2. iOS 18 introduces T9 dialing for easier phone number input.
3. How to add a Bluetooth toggle to iOS 18’s redesigned Control Center.

Widgetsmith, a popular app known for its aesthetic customization, has received a significant update with iOS 18. The latest version, Widgetsmith 7, introduces an advanced ‘Actions’ system that enhances device personalization.

This new feature allows users to customize ‘Actions’ which can be added to the Control Center, Lock Screen, and Home Screen. These Actions can quickly perform tasks such as launching apps, running Shortcuts, making calls, sending texts, or playing music. You can also personalize the look of these Actions by customizing text and icons.

On the Lock Screen, you can replace the default Flashlight and Camera options with your favorite Actions. For the Home Screen, Widgetsmith offers a large selection of built-in icons and Icon Packs to change the appearance of your device. You can even opt for a minimalist design with text-only widgets.

iOS 18 also allows you to hide app names under Home Screen widgets, offering a cleaner and more customizable look. Widgetsmith 7 is available for download on the App Store.

iOS 18 Adds T9 Dialing to iPhone

iOS 18 finally introduces T9 dialing, a feature that many Android users have missed on iPhones. T9 dialing lets you input phone numbers by typing letters on the keypad, simplifying the process of calling contacts.

To use T9 dialing, open the Phone app, and on the Keypad, press the number corresponding to the letters of the contact’s name. The app will filter and display matching names and numbers for you to choose from. Other new features in the Phone app include integrated call recording with automatic transcriptions and improved call history search.

Adding a Bluetooth Toggle to iOS 18’s Control Center

iOS 18’s redesigned Control Center now requires an extra tap to access Bluetooth settings. However, you can add a dedicated Bluetooth toggle for quicker access. Here’s how:

1. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen.
2. Long-press on a space to enter editing mode.
3. Tap ‘Add a Control’ at the bottom of the screen.
4. Scroll to the Connectivity section and select the standalone Bluetooth control.
5. Save your changes by exiting editing mode.

You can now quickly enable or disable Bluetooth from the Control Center and see connected devices by long-pressing the toggle.

iPadOS 18 Improves Emoji Selection for iPhone Apps

iPadOS 18 improves the experience of using iPhone apps on iPads, especially for adding emojis. When using an external keyboard, the virtual keyboard disappears, making it hard to insert emojis. With the new update, pressing Control + Command + Space will bring up the emoji picker even in iPhone apps running on iPad.

Battery Health and Charging Updates in iOS 18

iOS 18 introduces new battery health features for iPhone 15 users, including more charging limit options: 85%, 90%, and 95%. Additionally, if you use a slow charger, you will receive a warning in the Battery section of Settings, indicated by an orange color on the Battery Level graph.

iOS 18 is available as a free update for all iPhone users. Check Settings -> Software Update to get the latest features.