Since Apple released the first iPhone model in 2007, I have been using one, and I continue to do so now. I’m waiting to upgrade to the iPhone 17 and currently own the iPhone 15 Pro Max.
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But even after all this time, I can admit that there are still some issues with the mobile operating system that runs the iPhone. Actually, there are at least a few functions or settings that are incompatible with my phone’s use with each new update. With the most recent release, iOS 18, it is accurate.
See also: 7 iOS 18 Features That Every iPhone User Needs to Update Right Away
Do not misunderstand me. iOS 18 offers a lot to appreciate. For example, I really like the new RCS integration, which greatly improves texting with Android users. When I don’t have cell coverage, I enjoy that I can send text messages via satellite as well. Additionally, I’m glad that I can now replace the two lock screen buttons, something that, to be honest, we ought to have been allowed to do for some time.
Additionally, iOS 18.2 allows you to use generative AI to generate your own emoji and finally delivers ChatGPT to Siri.
Don’t miss: Apple Intelligence Gets Significant Upgrades in iOS 18.2. How to Get It on Your iPhone: A Guide
As usual, however, there are also aspects of the most recent iOS 18 version that I detest. If you’re like me, you’ll probably find certain aspects of iOS 18 annoying. Here are the three new features I find most annoying, along with a way to kind of repair them.
See the nine secret iOS 18 features you should be aware of for additional information.
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Remove all of the clutter from the iOS 18 Photos app.
Alright, let me be really honest: I don’t like the way Apple updated the Photos app in iOS 18. I can see what it’s trying to do, but by default, it seems really crowded. I don’t want my primary camera roll to continuously remind me of trips or provide wallpaper ideas that include images and movies I’m not interested in.
Thankfully, Apple does allow you to personalize the Photos app anyway you want.
When you first launch the Photos app, you’ll see a grid of all your images and videos, which is the library view you’re accustomed to. However, you’ll notice that the navigation bar has disappeared, and collections of your most recent images and videos of friends, family, and pets have taken its place at the bottom.
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This is how iOS 18’s camera roll currently appears.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET screenshots
Swiping down will reveal more random albums and collections, such as shared albums, pinned collections, memories, travels, highlighted photographs, and wallpaper recommendations, which were previously located under the Albums and For You tabs. The primary display on iOS 18 now has them all in one location. I don’t need to see everything at once, even if other people may find it helpful. All I want to see are my albums and camera roll.
Swipe all the way to the bottom of the Photos app, then choose Customize and Reorder to personalize it. Any collections you want to keep hidden from the main view may be unchecked here. The sequence in which they appear may also be adjusted. I unchecked everything except material Types (which arranges your material into movies, live images, etc.) and Utilities (which include albums for hidden, recently deleted, receipts, papers, and so on) since I don’t want wallpaper recommendations or most of the other choices.
iOS 18’s Photos app
You may delete or retain as many albums and collections as you desire, but in my opinion, the less the better.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET screenshots
Naturally, you won’t be able to view the collections Apple has made for you or a number of other albums, but if you don’t use them, you’ll be better off this way because you can still use the search button at the top or browse through your camera roll to find any photo or video you’re looking for.
iOS 18’s Photos app
This is my camera roll after I cleared out all the junk.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET screenshots
On iOS 18, delete every new Control Center page.
I constantly utilize the Control Center to rapidly connect to Wi-Fi, activate Do Not Disturb, switch between dark and low battery modes, and use the music recognition feature to find new songs. Nevertheless, Apple improved the Control Center’s layout with iOS 18, adding many pages of controls, some of which are prefabricated and others of which you may build yourself.
The problem is that I only need one Control Center page, not many. Since I can put all the controls I need on one page, I don’t want the mess of many pages. However, that’s not the only problem. Additionally, I find that I become trapped and irritated when I attempt to swipe out of the Control Center because I inadvertently browse through the Control Center pages.
iOS 18 Control Center Pages
The new pages (center and right) and the standard Control Center (left) are seen above.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET screenshots
Fortunately, there is a simple method for making the Control Center seem as it did in the past, using only one page.
Swipe up to see the extra pages in the Control Center, which you can get by swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen. Then, press your finger down on any vacant area of the page. This will draw attention to the control; to remove it and the page, click the delete control button (-) in the upper-left corner.
Until you just have the primary Control Center, repeat this process for any other Control Center pages you may have.
iOS 18 Control Center Pages
The page icons in the center-left will disappear after the excess Control Center pages are deleted.
Nelson Aguilar/CNET screenshot
You will no longer get trapped on the other pages while attempting to swipe out of the Control Center. Rather, you will be able to leave as simply as before.
Stop inadvertently activating Siri in iOS 18.2
With the release of iOS 18.2, the much anticipated AI update for Siri is now available.
When the assistant is listening to you, the borders of your iPhone screen light up in different colors instead of the Siri orb you’re used to. Although I like the cosmetic makeover, there is one feature of the new ChatGPT-powered Siri that continues to irritate me.
The Type to Siri function may be accessed by double tapping the bottom center of your iPhone. This brings up a keyboard at the bottom of your screen so you can type to Siri instead of speaking. Although it’s a helpful function in situations when discretion is required, I constantly manage to accidentally activate it, particularly when I’m tapping or swiping my phone.
However, there is a method to turn off Type to Siri without turning off the assistant entirely. Toggle off Type to Siri by going to Apple Intelligence & Siri > Talk & Type to Siri in Settings.
Use the “Type to Siri” option.
AI capabilities won’t be added to Siri until the following year.
Aguilar Nelson/CNET
For further information, see how to use this new iOS 18 audio capability to filter through muddy movie speech.