With the upcoming release of iOS 18, Apple continues to refine its mobile operating system with a host of new features and enhancements. Beta 3 of iOS 18 introduces significant updates aimed at improving the home screen experience and adding long-awaited functionalities like dynamic wallpapers. Here’s a detailed look at what iOS 18 brings to the table:
iOS 18 Beta 3: Automatic Dark Effect for App Icons
iOS 18 introduces a refreshed home screen experience with support for light, dark, and tinted app icons. Third-party developers can now submit different versions of their app icons to match these themes.
Previously, users who chose the dark theme had to deal with light-colored, third-party app icons that disrupted the home screen’s cohesive appearance. iOS 18 resolves this issue by automatically applying a dark effect to unoptimized app icons, ensuring a more consistent look.
All app icons now adapt to the dark theme, including those from third-party developers who haven’t optimized their icons yet. The operating system automatically detects the icon’s colors and applies a dark background while attempting to preserve the branding.
If the automatic effect doesn’t achieve the desired result, iOS 18 dims the icon’s colors instead. This encourages developers to support the new app icon themes manually, but ensures users won’t have to tolerate an inconsistent home screen.
iOS 18 Beta 3: Dynamic Wallpaper Feature
iOS 18 also introduces a dynamic wallpaper feature, long available on macOS. Dynamic wallpapers compile multiple image variants into a single bundle that changes throughout the day. This highly requested feature is now available on iPhones.
The dynamic variant of the default wallpaper switches between four colors—Purple, Azure, Pink, and Yellow—automatically throughout the day. While this implementation is more limited than macOS, which offers numerous shades with slight differences, it is a welcome addition for iPhone users.
iOS 18 Beta 3: Additional Features
iOS 18 includes several other handy features, such as InSight in the Apple TV app and expanded RCS support. Developers can already download and install iOS 18on their compatible iPhones. Users who prefer not to install developer builds can expect the public beta to launch next week.
Conclusion
iOS 18 enhances the user experience with an automatic dark effect for app icons, a new dynamic wallpaper feature, and additional updates. These improvements not only streamline the home screen’s aesthetic by automatically adjusting third-party app icons but also introduce a long-awaited dynamic wallpaper feature for more personalized device customization. As Apple continues to refine iOS 18 through its beta phases, users can look forward to a more cohesive and visually appealing operating system experience when the public release arrives.
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