If your iPhone is still running iOS 18 and you’re hesitating to jump to iOS 26, you’re not alone. In recent weeks, Apple has been making the iOS 26 upgrade prompt far more prominent for iOS 18 users, signaling a clear push to get more devices onto the newest software. [1]
But “upgrade now” isn’t always the right move for everyone—especially if you’ve been wary about battery life, storage space, or adjusting to iOS 26’s Liquid Glass redesign. [2]
The good news: whether you’re staying on iOS 18 for a bit longer or planning to update soon, there are several iOS 18 settings you can tweak today to make your iPhone feel faster, cleaner, and more secure—and to smooth the transition when you do eventually upgrade.
Below is a practical, step-by-step list of 10 iOS 18 settings to change right now, followed by a quick roundup of what’s happening today in iPhone software news (Dec. 27, 2025)—including what we know about iOS 26.2 security updates and the upcoming iOS 26.3 release.
First, a quick security reality check
Before we get into the “quality of life” settings, it’s worth noting why Apple keeps nudging people forward: security patches.
Apple’s security documentation for iOS 26.2 / iPadOS 26.2 shows fixes across multiple components (including WebKit), and it explicitly notes reports that certain issues may have been exploited in “extremely sophisticated” targeted attacks on versions of iOS before iOS 26. [3]
That doesn’t mean iOS 18 is instantly unsafe—but it does explain the urgency behind the upgrade prompts, and it’s a reminder to treat software updates as more than “new features.”
10 iOS 18 settings to tweak today if you’re not upgrading yet
These changes are designed to do two things:
- Make iOS 18 feel better immediately (less clutter, fewer annoyances).
- Reduce friction if/when you move to iOS 26 later.
Several of these tips have been circulating widely in iPhone settings checklists this year. [4]
1) Turn off Mail Categories (or switch back to List View)
If the Mail app’s category sorting doesn’t match how you work, switch back to the classic chronological inbox.
How to do it (iPhone):
- Open Mail
- In an inbox, tap the More (…) button
- Choose List View
Apple documents this directly, and it’s one of the fastest “instant relief” changes for iOS 18 holdouts. [5]
2) Replace your Lock Screen shortcuts (Flashlight/Camera) with something you’ll actually use
Accidentally triggering the flashlight (or launching the camera unintentionally) is still one of the most common everyday iPhone annoyances—especially when your phone is in a pocket or bag.
Many iOS 18-focused checklists recommend swapping those Lock Screen buttons for more useful controls you’ll tap intentionally (for example, Timer, Notes, or other quick actions). [6]
3) Turn Priority Notifications on/off (Apple Intelligence)
If your iPhone supports Apple Intelligence, Priority Notifications can elevate the alerts that actually matter, so you don’t miss time-sensitive messages in a sea of noise.
How to manage it:
- Go to Settings → Notifications → Priority Notifications
- Toggle it On or Off
- You can also disable it per app
Apple’s support guide explains where it lives and how it works on supported devices. [7]
4) Remap your Action Button to something more useful
If you have an iPhone model with the Action Button, you can turn it into your most-used shortcut—without hunting through your Home Screen.
How to change it:
- Settings → Action Button
- Swipe through actions and pick what you want (Silent Mode, Camera, Flashlight, Shortcuts, etc.)
Apple documents the customization flow in the iPhone User Guide. [8]
5) Clean up your Home Screen look (bigger icons, tinted icons, clear icons)
If your iPhone feels visually “busy,” iOS 18’s Home Screen customization options can make it calmer—and more readable—without downloading anything.
Apple’s guide covers:
- Large icons
- Dark mode icons
- Tinted icons
- Clear/translucent icon styling
You can do it from edit mode on the Home Screen. [9]
6) Rebuild Control Center (it’s worth it)
iOS 18’s Control Center can be dramatically more efficient once you tailor it to your habits.
How to edit it:
- Open Control Center
- Tap the Add button to start editing
- Rearrange controls, add/remove controls, and resize items
Apple’s official Control Center instructions walk through the basics, and it’s one of the biggest daily-use upgrades you can make without installing iOS 26. [10]
7) Lock (or hide) your most sensitive apps with Face ID
This is one of iOS 18’s most practical privacy features: you can require Face ID/Touch ID/passcode to open a specific app—and even hide it into a protected folder.
How to do it:
- Touch and hold the app icon
- Tap Require Face ID (or Touch ID / Passcode)
- To hide it, choose Hide and Require Face ID
Apple’s step-by-step guide also notes important limitations (for example, built-in apps can’t be hidden). [11]
8) Stop videos from looping in Photos (and disable auto-play if you want)
If you’re tired of videos replaying automatically, iOS 18.2-era settings finally let you turn it off.
One widely shared approach:
- Settings → Apps → Photos
- Toggle Loop Videos off
- Optionally toggle Auto-Play Motion off as well
A detailed walkthrough is available in iPhone Photos settings guides. [12]
9) Make Calendar easier to read at a glance
Small visual tweaks can make Calendar feel like a different app—especially in Month view.
Apple’s Calendar guide explains changing how events appear in Month view (for example, choosing different event indicators and detail density). [13]
And if you haven’t tried gesture-based adjustments, iOS 18-era Calendar tips highlight pinch/zoom behavior that helps reveal more (or less) information depending on what you need. [14]
10) Turn on Enhance Dialogue to hear voices more clearly in Apple TV playback
If you’re constantly riding the volume button—quiet dialogue, loud music, louder explosions—Enhance Dialogue is a quick win.
Apple’s iPhone guide spells out the exact path during playback:
- While watching in the Apple TV app, tap More Controls
- Tap Audio
- Tap Enhance Dialogue
- Choose Enhance or Enhance More
It’s one of those features you try once and then wonder why you waited. [15]
Today’s iPhone software news for Dec. 27, 2025
Here are the iOS stories that matter most right now—especially if you’re deciding whether to stick with iOS 18 or move to iOS 26.
iOS 26.2: new features + major security fixes
Apple’s iOS 26.2 security documentation confirms the update shipped December 12, 2025. [16]
Meanwhile, coverage of the iOS 26.2 rollout highlights several user-facing additions and refinements, including:
- New Lock Screen customization controls (opacity)
- A new AirDrop flow that uses a one-time code for sharing with people not in your contacts
- An “urgent” option in Reminders
- Apple Music upgrades like offline lyrics
- Enhanced Safety Alerts in the U.S.
Apple is still pushing iOS 18 users toward iOS 26
Multiple reports say Apple has recently made iOS 26 more prominent inside Software Update for iOS 18 users—likely to increase adoption. [18]
The hesitation isn’t just stubbornness; common complaints include:
- Battery life concerns after major updates
- Storage requirements
- Mixed reactions to Liquid Glass and legibility
iOS 26.3: what’s coming, and when
The next major iPhone update is shaping up to be iOS 26.3, currently in beta.
Expected release timing: late January 2026 is the most commonly cited window based on Apple’s historic “x.3” cadence. [20]
A Forbes analysis was updated today (Dec. 27, 2025) focusing on the iOS 26.3 release timeline, signaling how closely this update is being watched. [21]
Notable iOS 26.3 beta features reported so far include:
- Transfer to Android: a new built-in tool aimed at making iPhone-to-Android switching easier [22]
- Notification Forwarding (EU): forwarding iPhone notifications to a third‑party wearable (with tradeoffs if you also use an Apple Watch) [23]
- Weather wallpaper changes and other smaller refinements [24]
Also today: WhatsApp adds more transparency for Apple Watch linking
Outside of Apple’s own software, WhatsApp is testing a feature that would show users which Apple Watch is linked—aimed at improving account security and making linked peripherals easier to spot and manage. [25]
A practical “should I upgrade?” checklist (for real life)
If you want the simplest way to decide:
- Upgrade to iOS 26.2 now if security is your priority and your iPhone is supported—and you can tolerate the Liquid Glass design changes. [26]
- Stay on iOS 18 for now if you’re in a critical work period, you depend on older workflows, or you’ve had bad experiences with major upgrades—and apply the iOS 18 settings above so your phone feels better immediately. [27]
- Watch iOS 26.3 if you’re waiting for the next stabilization/feature batch and you’re curious about interoperability features like Transfer to Android and EU notification forwarding. [28]
References
1. www.techradar.com, 2. www.techradar.com, 3. support.apple.com, 4. m.economictimes.com, 5. support.apple.com, 6. m.economictimes.com, 7. support.apple.com, 8. support.apple.com, 9. support.apple.com, 10. support.apple.com, 11. support.apple.com, 12. www.macrumors.com, 13. support.apple.com, 14. 9to5mac.com, 15. support.apple.com, 16. support.apple.com, 17. www.theverge.com, 18. www.techradar.com, 19. www.techradar.com, 20. 9to5mac.com, 21. www.forbes.com, 22. www.macrumors.com, 23. www.macrumors.com, 24. www.macrumors.com, 25. timesofindia.indiatimes.com, 26. support.apple.com, 27. www.macrumors.com, 28. www.macrumors.com
