iOS 18.6 on Your iPhone? Change These 5 Game-Changing Settings Before It's Too Late

Apple's iOS 18.6 is now available with important security fixes—update first, then enable five powerful settings that make your iPhone faster, safer, and more personal.

The handful of powerful, yet often-overlooked settings can completely transform the daily experience of users. From boosting battery life to enhancing your privacy, these five changes are a must-do.

Apple has confirmed 18.6 as the latest iOS release with security content published on 29 July 2025.

Unlocking iOS 18.6's Hidden Potential

Jeff Carlson, CNET's mobile technology writer, says that the best parts of the new iOS 18 aren't immediately clear after you update. They recommend that users adjust specific settings to maximise the benefits of the latest software. Making these changes can give your home screen a cleaner, more personal look and also help keep your private data safe if your device falls into the wrong hands.

'Apple released iOS 18.6 to address important bug fixes and security updates, so grab it the next chance you get. But while you're updating to keep your iPhone safe, this is a great opportunity to re-evaluate how you're using it,' Carlson noted.

'With just a few changes, you can improve your day-to-day iPhone experience and get ready for iOS 26 when it arrives next month,' he pointed out. Here is some expert advice to help you make the most of your iPhone's new capabilities.

Five iPhone Settings to Change for a Brand New Feel

1. Change Your Lock Screen's Default Buttons

Your lock screen's bottom corners have the most accessible buttons, which previously were fixed to the torch and camera functions with no customisation options. According to Carlson from Cnet, 'You can add buttons to recognise music via Shazam, enable Dark Mode, set an alarm/timer, enable Airplane Mode, open your Wallet, send money via Tap to Cash and more.'

To make these adjustments, press and hold your lock screen, and a 'customise' button will appear.

2. Prioritise Your

for a Tidier Inbox

A new feature is ideal for those who receive endless junk messages and emails, as it enables your iPhone to distinguish between essential notifications and those that are likely to be spam or scams. This setting is easy to adjust. Go to Settings > Notifications and, under Apple Intelligence, tap Prioritise Notifications.

'For example, texts from people in your contacts could be flagged in favour of random scam messages. On that settings screen, you can enable or disable priority notifications for individual apps,' Carlson adds.

3. Give Your Home Screen a New Look

Typically, apps on your home screen are arranged in a grid that fills from top to bottom and left to right. Now, however, users can arrange their icons anywhere on the page without them having to be placed right next to each other.

Apps still snap to an invisible grid, but you can now place them anywhere on the screen. To start arranging them, touch and hold the home screen to begin 'jiggle mode', then drag the icons to your desired position. You can also tint the icons to give them a uniform colour.

To achieve this, Carlson recommends selecting 'customise options at the bottom of the screen and choosing Tinted as the icon style. You can then adjust the Hue (the slider with the colour spectrum) and Luminosity (the slider with the dark to light range) to choose the colour tint you prefer.' You also have the option to make some icons bigger than others.

4. Update the Look of Your Control Centre

The Control Centre typically contains controls for settings like Flight Mode or Brightness, but you can now customise it to your liking. You can position controls wherever you want, enlarge many of them to display more details, and add new controls across multiple pages.

To reveal the Control Centre, swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swipe up from the bottom on the iPhone SE). To enter edit mode, press and hold the screen or tap the '+' button in the top-left corner, then adjust the features to match your preferences.

5. Lock or Hide Your Sensitive Apps

You can now hide or lock private applications, such as your online banking or notes app, on your home screen, requiring a password or Face ID to access them.

Carlson explains how to lock specific apps: 'Touch and hold the app icon you want to lock and choose Require Face ID or Require Touch ID (or Require Passcode if Face ID or Touch ID are not enabled) from the menu that appears. Confirm your choice by tapping Require Face ID (or similar) in the next dialogue.'

Optimise Your iPhone Now

Making these minor adjustments can have a significant impact on your daily iPhone use.

By changing these five settings, you can enjoy a device that feels faster, more secure, and uniquely yours. Take a few minutes to explore these options and unlock the full potential of your iOS 18.6 update.