iOS 18.1: How to Record and Transcribe Phone Calls

From business meetings to family memories, there are countless reasons to record a phone call, but until now, iPhone users have had to rely on third-party apps or complex workarounds. That changes on October 28 with the release of iOS 18.1, which introduces native call recording and transcription powered by Apple Intelligence.

searchable transcripts and AI-generated summaries, all while maintaining Apple’s commitment to privacy and transparency. When you start recording, all participants automatically hear an announcement, ensuring everyone knows they’re being recorded. A visible indicator also remains on screen throughout the call for as long as the recording continues.

To further protect user privacy, all recordings are stored locally in the Notes app with end-to-end encryption, and the new Apple Intelligence-powered transcription happens entirely on your device, meaning conversations never leave your iPhone. Here’s how to make your first phone call recording in iOS 18.1.

Recording a Phone Call

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Hide your iPhone Find My Location without raising suspicion

Ever need a moment of privacy without raising suspicion? If you’re secretly shopping for a gift or planning a surprise party, you might want to temporarily obscure your actual location in Apple’s Find My app on your iPhone without completely turning off location sharing.

Here’s a clever trick that lets you keep sharing enabled while displaying a different location – all by using another Apple device you own.

To hide your actual location, you’ll need to have at least two Apple devices signed in to your Apple Account with Find My enabled. This method works by telling Find My to use a stationary device’s location instead of your iPhone’s.

Start by leaving the device you want to use as your displayed location (like an iPad or Mac) in a convincing spot – perhaps your home or office. Then, take your iPhone and follow these steps:

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iOS 18: Send messages without a Wi-Fi or cellular connection

In iOS 18, Apple further enhanced its satellite connectivity features for iPhone users with the introduction of Messages via satellite. Keep reading to learn how it works.

Available in the United States and Canada to owners of iPhone 14 models and newer, Messages via satellite enables users to exchange iMessages and SMS texts, including emoji and Tapbacks, through satellite connections when traditional networks are unavailable.

Apple is using the infrastructure that it set up for Emergency SOS via satellite for this feature, but you don’t need to be in an emergency situation to use it, and the service is currently offered at no additional charge.

When an iPhone detects it’s out of cellular or Wi-Fi range, it prompts users with an alert offering quick access to satellite-enabled services. These include Emergency SOS, Roadside Assistance, Find My, and Messages. Users can also access the feature directly from the Messages app when off the grid, with iOS providing on-screen guidance to help point the iPhone toward an available satellite.

iMessages sent via satellite are end-to-end encrypted. However, it’s worth noting that while iMessage functionality is fully supported, SMS capabilities are more limited to prevent abuse from automated systems. Emergency contacts and designated family members can initiate SMS contact at any time, but for other contacts, the iPhone user must send the first satellite SMS to enable responses.

To familiarize yourself with this potentially life-saving feature, Apple has included a demo mode in iOS 18. You can access this demonstration by following these steps:

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iOS 18: how to schedule Messages to send later

Apple has introduced a significant update to its messaging capabilities with a new “Send Later” feature in iOS 18. This addition to the Messages app now allows users to schedule text messages for future delivery, enhancing the chat platform’s flexibility and convenience.

Available exclusively for iMessage conversations, the Send Later function enables users to compose messages in advance and set a specific time or date for them to be sent. This feature is particularly useful for remembering important dates or managing communication across different time zones.

Apple’s implementation seamlessly integrates with the existing iMessage framework. The feature works for both individual and group chats, provided all participants are using Apple devices with iMessage enabled. However, it’s important to note that this functionality is not available when messaging Android users or in standard SMS conversations.

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How to enable Apple Intelligence if you’re Outside the US

Apple is introducing a set of AI features in iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 under the banner “Apple Intelligence.” These features are officially only currently available in beta to developers in the US, but it’s actually pretty easy to get it up and running on iPhones and iPads in most other locations with the exception of the European Union and China.

The main reason Apple has limited access to Apple Intelligence is that it only supports US English at this time, but if you can work with that – and you have a compatible device – then there’s no technical reason why you can’t start exploring the new AI features.
Supported Devices
Apple Intelligence encompasses a range of capabilities, including composing text and emails, automating actions across various apps, generating images, summarizing documents and texts, and more. However, these features require a lot of on-device computing power, so before you do anything, it’s worth checking if your device is compatible. iPhone users need either an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to run Apple Intelligence, while only iPads powered by M1 or later Apple silicon processors are compatible.
Install Beta Software
If your device is supported, the first thing you need to do is install the latest developer beta for your device. Once you’ve followed the instructions provided in the linked article and your device is up and running with the latest beta (the third beta as of writing), follow these steps on your iPhone or iPad.

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iOS 18: Show iPhone lock screen clock in rainbow colors

In iOS 18, currently in beta, Apple has added a new rainbow swatch to the Font & Color customization options on the Lock Screen, so now you can display the time in rainbow colors against your chosen wallpaper.

With ‌iOS 17‌, Apple added an option to customize the font and the color of the time on the Lock Screen, and in ‌‌iOS 18‌‌, there’s a new rainbow color option that adds a variegated rainbow shade for the time.

Unlike the other color swatches that iOS includes for the Lock Screen, the multicolor option does not currently apply to widgets and the date, which turn white when the rainbow effect is applied. Here’s how it’s done.

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How to get Apple Intelligence in the EU

With the release of iOS 18.1 beta 2, Apple has apparently opened up access to Apple Intelligence for English speakers located in the European Union, something that was not possible in previous versions.

One of the reasons Apple limited region access to Apple Intelligence was that it only supports US English. Another reason Apple Intelligence was previously not available in the EU was because Apple geo-locked access within the bloc, likely due to regulatory issues related to the Digital Markets Act. On the face of it, those issues still remain, and it’s still not clear whether they will be resolved by the time iOS 18.1 is released in October. But at least for now, there doesn’t seem to be anything stopping users in the EU who have a US App Store ID from testing out Apple Intelligence in the beta if their device supports it.
Supported Devices
Apple Intelligence encompasses a range of capabilities, including composing text and emails, automating actions across various apps, generating images, summarizing documents and texts, and more. However, these features require a lot of on-device computing power, so before you do anything, it’s worth checking if your device is compatible. iPhone users need either an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max to run Apple Intelligence, while only iPads powered by M1 or later Apple silicon processors are compatible.
Install Beta Software
If your device is supported, the first thing you need to do is install the iOS 18.1 developer beta for your device. Once you’ve followed the instructions provided in the linked article and your device is up and running with the latest beta, follow these steps on your iPhone or iPad.

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How to use Apple Maps on the Web

Apple has introduced Apple Maps for the web, currently available in a public beta. This new feature brings the convenience and functionality of the ‌Apple Maps‌ app to web browsers, enabling users to access directions and location information without needing to open the standalone app or even have an Apple device.

With ‌Apple Maps‌ on the web, you can get driving and walking directions, explore places to visit, view ratings and operating hours, and browse curated Guides, regardless of the type of computer you are using. Apple is of course aiming to go up against rival Google Maps, which has been the dominant web-based mapping option for many years.

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iOS 18: How to share Wi-Fi Passwords with a QR Code

iOS 18 introduces a convenient new feature in the Passwords app that allows you to share Wi-Fi passwords using QR codes when other sharing methods aren’t available, or for when you want to share the network details with several people.

By using a QR code, not only you can share the Wi-Fi password with multiple people simultaneously, you can share it with people who are not in your contacts (which is a requirement of the nearby share feature exclusive to Apple devices), and even share it with Android users who don’t have the benefit of AirDrop.

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