iOS 18 Tidbits: Improved flashlight controls, Control Center edit mode, and more

With the first beta of iOS 18 now in developers’ hands, there are a few small changes and quality-of-life improvements discovered in Apple’s iPhone software that are worth highlighting.

First, Apple has improved the flashlight controls. In iOS 18, turning on the flashlight via the Lock screen or Control Center brings up a small interface that lets you adjust the light flow from the LED. In other words, you now have precise control over not only the intensity of the light, but also the amplitude of the illumination.

In the new Passwords app, you can create QR codes for saved Wi-Fi passwords, allowing them to be more easily shared with others.

In the Settings app, you typically scroll down to access the settings for the individual apps installed on your iPhone. In the iOS 18 beta, Apple moved App Settings to a separate screen, so you can now tap Apps at the bottom of the list to access a separate, searchable list.

In the redesigned Control Center, which now extends to multiple screens, tapping the new + icon in the top-left corner (or long-pressing on an empty area) reveals minus icons that let you remove individual buttons, similar to how you remove apps from the screen Home, and there is the option to add a new control at the bottom. There are also anchors that let you change the size of buttons or cards like a media player. So, if you’ve always wanted to make your Shazam icon a four-wheel drive button, for example, now you can.

In iOS 18, Apple also added a new power button to the top-right corner of Control Center, so you don’t have to hold down the side button to bring up the “Slide to power off” screen.

In the Weather app, you can view forecasts for separate home and work locations. The new Home and Work labels can be toggled in Settings → Apps → Weather, under the new Locations section. Your Home and Work locations can be updated by editing your contact card.

The first developer beta of iOS 18 is available now, and a public beta will follow in July. Apple will officially release its new iPhone operating system to the public in the fall.