In the third betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 released today, Apple has introduced additional tweaks to features such as Dark Mode icons, the Photos app, emoji in Messages, and more. These updates seem to be paving the way for the launch of Apple Intelligence.
Apple will keep updating iOS 18 over the next few months, refining the beta before its official launch. Here’s a summary of everything new in the third iOS 18 beta.
Dark Mode Icons
There are now Dark Mode icons for many third-party apps such as Facebook, Etsy, Telegram, Signal, Slack, Notion, YouTube, and more. Apple seems to be automatically adding Dark Mode icons to apps with icons that have a limited color palette.
In some icons, the secondary color becomes the main color, and the background turns black, while in others, a white icon background changes to black.
Apps with complex, multi-colored icon designs do not yet switch to a Dark Mode color scheme. Instead, Apple tints them to appear darker. When iOS 18 launches, app developers will have the option to provide their own dark-tinted icons to replace Apple’s defaults.
Photos App
Apple has added a Select button to the main Photos interface for choosing multiple images, eliminating the need to swipe down to access the Select button.
With this update, the Search button is now represented by a magnifying glass icon and is highlighted in blue to make it more noticeable.
Emoji
In Messages, emoji, Memoji, and stickers are now combined into a single interface, navigable via small icons at the bottom of the display. You can tap these icons to access stickers or Memoji, and you can scroll through your Memoji to quickly find specific characters and poses.
From this interface, you can create both stickers and Memoji. Stickers can be used directly in your messages, similar to emoji. Non-moving stickers are supported, while animated ones from Live Photos appear in a larger size when attached. However, smaller emoji-like stickers may be harder to discern.
Emoji are now displayed larger for more detail, reducing the need for scrolling to see fewer characters. Additionally, more emoji and stickers are visible at once in the Recent section.
These updates from Apple likely pave the way for the launch of Apple Intelligence, Genmoji, and Image Playground.
Wallpaper
There’s a dynamic version of the iOS 18 wallpaper that changes colors according to the time of day.
Flashlight Interface
When activating the Flashlight or accessing controls from the Dynamic Island, there’s now a larger and more intuitive interface for adjusting the brightness and spread of the LED Flash used in the Flashlight feature.
Maps
Apple has adjusted the colors of the Maps icon once more when Dark Mode is enabled.
RCS in Messages
The interface for RCS in the Messages section of the Settings app has been updated. Instead of a simple on/off toggle, it now features a tap-in menu that offers additional context. Apple clarifies that sending and receiving messages with RCS uses wireless data, and cellular network identifiers may be shared with carriers and their partners.
Some iPhone users in Canada and other countries are now encountering the RCS toggle, though it remains unclear whether RCS functionality is operational outside of the United States.
Apple’s AI initiatives, referenced in code, suggest upcoming additions to the iOS 18 beta. These include Genmoji, Image Playground, Writing Tools, Image Wand, and others.
Know of any other new features in iOS 18 beta 3 that we missed? Share them in the comments below.