iOS 18.3 Update: 8 Must-Change iPhone Settings for Best Experience

iOS 18.3 Update: Apple has officially rolled out the iOS 18.3 update, bringing a host of new features, performance improvements, and enhanced security measures to iPhones worldwide. While Apple automatically optimizes some settings for users, tweaking a few key options can significantly improve your iPhone experience.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the eight must-change settings after installing iOS 18.3. Whether you want better battery life, increased privacy, or smoother performance, these settings will help you get the most out of your device. Plus, we’ll explore hidden features, advanced settings, and expert tips to ensure you’re maximizing every aspect of iOS 18.3.

iOS 18.3 Update

Feature	Details
Update Version	iOS 18.3
Release Date	January 2025
Major Improvements	AI-powered features, improved privacy controls, battery optimization
New Features	Apple Intelligence updates, Genmoji, Visual Intelligence, Calculator redo
Performance Upgrades	Better multitasking, reduced background activity for extended battery life
Privacy Enhancements	App privacy report updates, new notification permissions
Hidden Features	Enhanced voice recognition, customizable haptic feedback, Face ID improvements
Official Apple Website	Apple iOS Updates

With iOS 18.3, Apple introduces smarter AI-powered features, privacy upgrades, and better battery management. By adjusting these eight essential settings, you can enhance performance, boost security, and customize your iPhone experience. From Visual Intelligence to Notification Summaries, Apple Intelligence integration, and advanced privacy settings, this update is packed with tools to make your iPhone work smarter for you.

1. Manage Apple Intelligence Features for Personalized AI Assistance

Apple Intelligence is a major part of iOS 18.3, bringing AI-powered functionalities like smarter notifications, real-time transcription, and Visual Intelligence for object recognition. However, if you’re concerned about privacy or battery drain, you may want to customize or disable certain AI features.

iOS 18.3 Update Customize Apple Intelligence:

• Go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.
• Toggle off specific features like notification summaries, automatic transcription, or Visual Intelligence.
• For privacy-conscious users, disable Apple Intelligence Learning to prevent the system from analyzing app usage patterns.
• Adjust Voice Command Preferences for a better Siri experience tailored to your needs.

✅ Pro Tip: If you rely on AI-powered notifications, keep Smart Summaries enabled while turning off auto-replies for better control.

2. Fine-Tune Notification Summaries for Maximum Focus

Apple’s Notification Summary feature groups non-essential alerts and delivers them at scheduled times, reducing distractions. In iOS 18.3, it’s even more refined, allowing you to prioritize certain notifications.

iOS 18.3 Update Customize Notification Summaries:

• Open Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary.
• Choose the apps you want summarized.
• Set your preferred delivery times (morning, noon, evening, or custom schedules).
• Enable Smart Priority Mode to allow urgent notifications to break through summaries when necessary.

🔹 Why it Matters: This setting is perfect for reducing distractions while working or sleeping while ensuring you don’t miss important updates.

3. Activate Visual Intelligence for Smarter Camera Use

One of iOS 18.3’s standout features is Visual Intelligence, which identifies objects, text, and even events from images. This can help with quick translations, product recognition, and calendar scheduling.

iOS 18.3 Update Use Visual Intelligence:

1. Open the Camera app and point it at any object or document.
2. Tap the Visual Intelligence icon when it appears.
3. Use it to copy text, translate, or get additional details about an object.
4. Enable Auto-Suggestions so your iPhone can proactively suggest actions based on what’s on-screen.

🔹 Best Use Case: Point your camera at a menu in another language, and iOS will translate it instantly!

4. Boost Battery Life with Enhanced Background Activity Controls

Apple has improved battery management in iOS 18.3 by allowing greater control over background app activity.

iOS 18.3 Update Extend Battery Life:

• Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage by App.
• Identify apps consuming too much power in the background.
• Disable Background App Refresh for non-essential apps under Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
• Enable Adaptive Charging to optimize battery lifespan.

🔹 Bonus Tip: Enable Low Power Mode when battery is below 20% for automatic energy savings.

5. Customize Lock Screen Notifications for Better Privacy

With iOS 18.3, Apple has revamped how notifications appear on the Lock Screen, giving users more control over their grouping and preview settings.

iOS 18.3 Update Adjust Lock Screen Notifications:

• Go to Settings > Lock Screen.
• Customize how notifications are grouped (stacked, counted, or full list).
• Set privacy levels for hiding message previews when locked.
• Enable Live Activity Widgets to see real-time updates from your most-used apps.

✅ Ideal for: Users who value privacy and want fewer distractions on the Lock Screen.

6. Strengthen Privacy & Security Settings for Ultimate Protection

Apple continues to push privacy-first initiatives, and iOS 18.3 introduces enhanced security options like App Privacy Reports and Enhanced Tracking Protection.

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Key Privacy Settings to Enable:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Enable App Privacy Reports to monitor app tracking activity.
• Activate Advanced Tracking Protection to block data tracking in Safari.
• Turn on Hide My Email to prevent apps from collecting personal email addresses.

🔹 Why This Matters: Prevents apps from secretly tracking your location, browsing history, and interactions.

FAQs On iOS 18.3 Update

1. What is Apple Intelligence, and should I enable it?

Apple Intelligence in iOS 18.3 enhances your iPhone with AI-powered features like smarter notifications, real-time transcription, and Visual Intelligence for object recognition. If you value AI-powered assistance, enable it; otherwise, you can disable certain features under Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri.

2. How do I improve battery life in iOS 18.3?

To extend battery life:

• Disable Background App Refresh under Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
• Enable Adaptive Charging in Settings > Battery.
• Use Low Power Mode when necessary to conserve power.

3. What are Genmoji, and how do I use them?

Genmoji is a new feature in iOS 18.3 that allows users to create personalized emojis in Messages.

• Open Messages and start a new conversation.
• Tap the Genmoji button to create and send custom emojis.

4. How do I customize Lock Screen notifications for privacy?

• Go to Settings > Lock Screen.
• Choose how notifications are grouped (stacked, counted, or full list).
• Enable Hide Previews for more privacy.

5. How do I prevent apps from tracking me in iOS 18.3?

• Open Settings > Privacy & Security.
• Enable App Privacy Reports to monitor tracking activity.
• Activate Advanced Tracking Protection in Safari to block trackers.

6. How do I turn off AI-generated notification summaries?

• Navigate to Settings > Notifications > Scheduled Summary.
• Toggle off Notification Summaries or select specific apps to exclude.

7. Can I still use Visual Intelligence if I disable Apple Intelligence?

Yes, Visual Intelligence is a separate feature that can still function for object and text recognition even if you disable broader Apple Intelligence functionalities.

8. How do I access the enhanced Calculator features?

• Open the Calculator app.
• Perform a calculation and press equals (=) again to repeat the last operation.