Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
TL;DR
- A final-minute leak of iOS 18 options suggests we might see an app locking system and darkish dwelling display screen icons.
- Notably, the app locking system seems to solely work with first-party apps.
- Each of those options exist already on Android.
Tomorrow, Apple will unveil iOS 18, the following main model of the working system powering the corporate’s most vital product, the iPhone. We’ve already seen a ton of leaks for this, so we all know we should always anticipate many AI-powered options, extra customization instruments, and redesigns of Management Middle and Settings, which haven’t seen refreshes in years.
At this time, although, now we have two last-minute leaks of iOS 18 data. Due to MacRumors in each instances, we hear {that a} new app locking system and darkish dwelling display screen icon instrument may very well be introduced tomorrow.
Let’s begin with the app locking system. Allegedly, this can help you lock an app behind your Face ID/PIN/password, including an additional layer of safety for apps with delicate data. Presently, iPhone customers have workarounds for this, equivalent to by utilizing the Shortcuts characteristic, however that may not be mandatory. Now, even when somebody grabs your unlocked telephone, they may nonetheless want your face, PIN, or password to entry the apps you’ve chosen to lock.
Sadly, this characteristic seems like will probably be fairly restricted in perform. Allegedly, it is going to solely work with first-party apps, i.e., these made by Apple. It additionally appears that you just received’t have the ability to make a novel PIN/password for the lock, so if an individual has your PIN/password for the telephone itself, locking the apps behind those self same credentials turns into a trivial roadblock.
Notably, a extra highly effective model of this characteristic has existed on Samsung telephones for years within the type of Safe Folder. Additionally, Google launched Non-public Area at this 12 months’s Google I/O, which does characteristic each the power to lock any app and make the PIN/password utterly completely different out of your telephone’s.
Outdoors of the app locking system, iOS 18 may also apparently get darkish dwelling display screen icons. iPhones have lengthy had a darkish mode, however switching it on doesn’t have an effect on icons. In tandem with the beforehand leaked customizable icons characteristic coming to iOS 18, switching on darkish mode ought to change icons to raised match that mode. In the beginning, nonetheless, this would possibly solely work with first-party apps.
After all, this has additionally been obtainable on Android for fairly a while, due to Android 12’s launch of Materials You in 2021.
We’ll be taught every thing there’s to learn about iOS 18 tomorrow on the keynote for WWDC 2024. The occasion begins at 10:00 AM PT.
