iOS 18.4 is finally here, and the latest Apple update brings with it a number of huge changes that make downloading it right now an essential move for all iPhone users out there.

It's become a bit of a tradition within the Apple community that new iOS updates aren't always well received, and iOS 18 was especially poorly received when it dropped in September last year.

Unwanted adjustments made to the photo gallery and other key areas prompted many users to search for a means of reverting back to a previous update, although the return of a long-awaited calculator feature and the introduction of a game-changing tool have sweetened the deal a little bit.

The arrival of iOS 18.4 however has been widely praised, as it not only brings a variety of welcome additions but it also protects your phone with 62 different security vulnerability fixes, making it an essential free move for all iPhone users out there much like the last update.

As reported by Forbes, the update brings "8 new emojis, a new Sketch Style option in Image Playground, recipes in Apple News+, and enhancements to better organize and filter your library in Photos," alongside the aforementioned bug and security fixes.

Overall it's 3.42 GB and you can download it right now, so make sure to head to the Software Update section of your iPhone's Settings menu to get started. If you need to free up some storage space though there are thankfully a few tips that you can use - even just to make room for the new update.

Among the 62 security-related fixes is the solution to a kernel issue (CVE-2025-30432) that allowed malicious apps to attempt password attempts on a locked device, which would then inevitably cause a timeout which locks you out of accessing your phone.

That's why it's essential for you to get the new update downloaded as soon as possible, as it means that you're no longer vulnerable to this threat among many others that'll help keep your phone safe.

Some people across social media still aren't too happy about the size of the update in particular, pointing out that it's not an accurate reflection of the content included:

"3.42 gb, 8 new emoji," outlines one user on Reddit. "It's a very very heavy emoji I must say."

Another comment echoes a similar sentiment, adding: "Top new feature is emojis? We might be at peak iOS."

Others have also pointed out that iOS 18.4 was originally the intended launch version of the long-awaited AI-powered Siri update, which has since been delayed until at least iOS 19, if not even longer, following the removal of Apple Intelligence ads.

However, the new update has added AI support for French, German, Italian, and Spanish users, alongside those in the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong.

iPhone users in shock at hidden feature that gets rid of pop-ups instantly

One of Apple's newest features might just be a game changer if you hate distractions while browsing the internet, as it's left many iPhone users in shock after removing annoying popups from your favorite websites.

While the recent release of iOS 18 might not have been the iPhone community's most popular update, it did bring about a number of highly-requested changes and updates that should hopefully persuade you not to forcibly revert back to an older version.

Something as simple as the return of a greatly missed calculator function have redeemed iOS 18 for many, despite the glaring flaws with the new photo gallery, but there's actually one new addition that you likely have no idea arrived and it could change everything.

As shared by u/Arkid777 on the r/iOS subreddit, the new 'Hide Distracting Items' setting that was added to Safari with iOS 18 has proven to be incredibly popular and a genuine game changer for many.

Otherwise known as 'Distraction Control', this setting gives Safari users the ability to permanently remove parts of a webpage that they might find annoying - which is perfect for any persistent pop ups that get in your way.

The example that Arkid777 uses is a banner advert on their online school calculator, as it prevents the entire calculator from showing on the screen which is understandably super frustrating to deal with.

Many in the comments underneath the post also share the same feeling towards this new feature, with one arguing that it's the "most useful thing on [iOS] 18 so far."

"Hiding distracting items is the real GOAT of iOS 18," adds another, and one comment has even revealed that updates added in iOS 18.2 now make it so that you're able to scroll while Distraction Control is enabled, which only further cements this feature as something you simply can't ignore.

It also couldn't be simpler to use either, as all you need to do once you're on Safari is press the Page Menu button (rectangle with two horizontal lines underneath) in the Smart Search field.

From there you should be able to see the 'Hide Distracting Items' option, so select that and then press on the areas of the page that you want to hide, selecting 'Done' when you're all finished.

These distractions will now no longer get in your way, and you can use it on anything that remains static on the page - so it's not just limited to pop-ups or adverts.

credit: uniladtech.com