Three iOS 18 Features Coming Soon Aside From Apple Intelligence

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While most iOS 18 updates have been focused on Apple Intelligence, some additional new features and capabilities are coming soon.

iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down
Below, we outline three upcoming iOS 18 features that Apple has announced that should arrive in updates such as iOS 18.3 and iOS 18.4.

Default Map and Translation Apps in EU

Apple Maps vs Google Maps Feature
In an October 2024 document related to the EU's Digital Markets Act, Apple revealed that it will allow iPhone and iPad users in the EU to set default navigation and translation apps starting in "spring 2025." That timeframe suggests these options will be added in iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4, which are expected to be released in April.

For example, users should be able to choose Google Maps, Waze, or other options as their default navigation app, instead of Apple Maps. Likewise, they should be able to choose Google Translate, Microsoft Translator, or other options as their default translation app, instead of Apple's Translate app. These options will be added to the new "Default Apps" section in the Settings app on iPhones that was implemented in iOS 18.2.

PayPal Balance in Apple Wallet

PayPal Debit Card Apple Wallet Large
Apple previously announced that iPhone users in the U.S. will be able to see their PayPal balance when using their PayPal debit card in the Wallet app. Apple said this feature would launch in 2025, so it could arrive in a future iOS 18 update.

Robot Vacuum Support in Home App

Roomba and HomeKit Feature
Apple's website continues to state that robot vacuum support will be added to the Home app in an unspecified iOS 18 update. When available, this feature will allow you to control key functions of your robot vacuum in the Home app, and with Siri voice commands.

Here is how Apple describes the feature:

The Home app now supports the core functionality of robot vacuum cleaners, such as power control, cleaning mode, vacuum, mop, and charge status. They can also participate in automations and scenes, and respond to Siri requests. So you can add them to your cleaning routines — or tell Siri to do some spot cleaning in the living room.

There are references to the feature in iOS 18.3 code, but the functionality is not yet live as of the second beta. iOS 18.3 will likely be released in late January.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

AND411 Avatar
AND411
9 weeks ago

We want Apple Intelligence in the EU, if just our masters in the non-elected "Commission" can allow us to have it.
Please.
Always this nonsense that the EU Commissioners are not elected. They are proposed by the EU member states and have to be elected by the EU Parliament. The members of the EU Parliament have all been freely elected in their home countries.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
con2apple Avatar
con2apple
9 weeks ago
“Default Map and Translation Apps in EU”

Looking forward to it.
Because Apple Translate is as bad as Google was ten years ago. The tool doesn’t even know half of typical English words and fails to translate simplest sentences.

I hope that the new competition pushes Apple to make its translate tool useful.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
UliBaer Avatar
UliBaer
9 weeks ago
@Maps: ?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
blicked Avatar
blicked
9 weeks ago
Only in EU? Boooooo. Apple's translation app is laughably simple and awful.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zorinlynx Avatar
zorinlynx
9 weeks ago
Apple announcing robot vacuum support is completely meaningless without the robot vacuum manufacturers also announcing Apple support.

It's like next-gen CarPlay. Yeah nope.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
arobert3434 Avatar
arobert3434
9 weeks ago
Supporting integration of third-party translation services to the system will be most welcome since Apple's own service is limited to a few of the most common languages. (They made a good choice with the ones they started with, but regular additions moving down the popularity chart seems not to be a priority.)
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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