How to fix the iOS 18 changes some users hate
iPhone Users Frustrated by iOS 18 Redesign, Seek Workarounds
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Apple’s latest software update, iOS 18, has sparked frustration among some iPhone users who are grappling wiht redesigned apps, battery drain, and less intuitive controls. Since its release in September, social media platforms have been buzzing with complaints about the changes, with many users expressing a sense of bewilderment and annoyance.
“Woke up to find out my phone updated to iOS 18 while I was asleep and the new photo app design nearly sent me spiraling again,” one user wrote on X,formerly known as Twitter. “It’s hideous.”
While software updates are generally encouraged for security and performance improvements, significant design overhauls can disrupt user habits and create a steep learning curve.
The Divisive New Photos App
One of the most criticized changes is the complete redesign of the Photos app. Apple has consolidated various features, previously spread across multiple pages, into a single, densely packed interface. This has led to complaints about excessive scrolling and a cluttered user experience.
The Fix: While reverting to the old design isn’t currently possible, users can customize the Photos app layout to some extent.By accessing the “Customize & Reorder” option, users can rearrange or disable features, tailoring the app to their preferences.
Supersized Emoji
Another change that has raised eyebrows is the increased size of emoji in the iOS 18 keyboard. Emoji now appear larger, with more spacing between each icon, making it possibly more time-consuming to find the desired emoji.
The Battery Drain Dilemma
Beyond design changes, some users have reported experiencing faster battery drain after installing iOS 18. While Apple hasn’t officially acknowledged this issue, it’s a common complaint among early adopters of new software updates.
Navigating the Changes
While Apple hasn’t yet addressed all the user concerns, the company frequently enough releases subsequent updates to address bugs and refine features based on user feedback. Simultaneously occurring, iPhone owners can explore the customization options within iOS 18 to mitigate some of the frustrations and personalize their experience.
iOS 18: Fixes for Frustrating New Features
Apple’s latest iOS 18 update brought a slew of new features, but some users are finding themselves frustrated by unexpected changes. From oversized emoji to a confusing Control Center, here’s a look at some of the most common complaints and how to fix them.
Giant Emoji: Where Did My tiny Smiley Faces Go?
What changed: Apple has redesigned its emoji picker, and for some users, that means emoji are now considerably larger. This can make conversations feel cluttered and less visually appealing.
The fix: Switching to alternate keyboard apps like Microsoft’s Swiftkey can bring back the smaller, more densely packed palette of emoji you’re used to. That said, some third-party keyboard apps ask for deeper, or “full” access to your device to make certain features work. This isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s best to avoid keyboards that aren’t clear about what they’re doing on your phone.
If you’re more bothered by just how big emoji look in your conversations, well, sorry – short of sending a bit of text with each one, you’re stuck.
A Confusing Control Center
What changed: The Control Center, accessed by a swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen, has always had a lot going on.Now, in iOS 18, there’s even more happening, and it’s just kind of confusing.
For one, you can now swipe through multiple screens in Control Center to manage your media, toggle smart home gadgets on or off, and more – though you’ll often just find duplicates of what’s on your main Control Center page. Meanwhile, some options we previously had one-touch access to – like quickly turning Bluetooth on and off – now take an extra tap by default.
It’s technically easier now to customize your Control Center – tap the “+” icon in the top-left corner to rearrange these icons – but getting specific controls into just the right spot can also be trickier than it sounds.
The fix: Use that new customization option to get rid of anything and everything you don’t need. (I’d start by getting rid of those separate windows for media and smart home controls, personally.) Unlike the Photos app, you can get your Control Center looking like the one you’ve used for years without too much effort.
Faster Battery Drain
What changed: After installing iOS 18, or one of its subsequent updates, some users have reported that their iPhones’ batteries don’t last as long as they used to.
The fix: There’s a lot going on behind-the-scenes when you update your phone, and that backstage work continues even after the update appears to be done. If you’ve noticed your phone doesn’t last as long after installing some new software, give it a day or two first before panicking – that’s wholly normal.
If that lousy battery life lingers for more than a few days, though, it’s time to take some action.
iPhone Battery Draining Fast? Here’s How to Make it Last Longer
Is your iPhone battery dying faster than usual? You’re not alone. New iOS updates frequently enough bring exciting features, but they can also put a strain on your battery life. While you can’t completely stop the power drain, there are some simple steps you can take to squeeze more juice out of your device.Turn Off Power-Hungry Features
One of the easiest ways to conserve battery is to disable features you don’t regularly use. Consider turning off Apple Intelligence, which analyzes your data to personalize your experience. You can also disable Siri’s “Hey Siri” functionality to prevent it from constantly listening for your voice commands.
Identify Battery Hogs
Want to know exactly which apps are draining your battery? Head to your iPhone’s Settings, tap on ”Battery,” and you’ll see a list of apps ranked by their power consumption. If you spot an app using an excessive amount of battery, you might want to adjust its settings or limit its usage.
Control Background App Activity
Many apps continue to run in the background even when you’re not actively using them. This can significantly impact your battery life. To regain control, go to “Settings,” then ”General,” and tap on “Background App Refresh.” Toggle off the apps you don’t need running constantly in the background.
By following these tips, you can extend your iPhone’s battery life and enjoy your device for longer without constantly searching for an outlet.
iPhone Users Cry Foul: iOS 18 Redesign sparks Controversy and Seeks workarounds
NewsDirectory3 Interview with Tech Analyst Sarah Jones
Good evening, and welcome to NewsDirectory3. with the recent release of Apple’s iOS 18, many iPhone users are experiencing a wave of mixed emotions. While some welcome the new features, others find themselves grappling with frustration due to redesigned app interfaces, increased battery drain, and less intuitive controls. To better understand the situation, we’ve invited tech analyst Sarah Jones to shed some light on these concerns.
sarah, thank you for joining us tonight. Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the highly debated redesign of the Photos app. What are users saying about it?
Sarah Jones: Absolutely.The Photos app redesign seems to be the most contentious change in iOS 18. Apple has consolidated many features into a single, densely packed interface, but users are finding it overly cluttered and tough to navigate. many miss the previous layout’s simplicity and ease of use.
that’s quite a shift for a frequently used app. What advice do you have for users struggling to adapt?
Sarah Jones: While reverting to the old design isn’t possible, Apple does offer some customization options. Users can rearrange or disable certain features within the app through the “Customize & Reorder” settings, allowing them to personalize the interface to their liking.
Beyond the Photos app, we’re also hearing complaints about battery drain and other issues affecting overall phone performance. Have you seen any widespread reports on these problems?
Sarah Jones: Yes, unluckily, several users have reported experiencing faster battery drain after installing iOS 18.Additionally,some are encountering glitches and performance hiccups. It’s important to remember that these issues are common with initial software releases, as bugs often emerge during the rollout.
So, what can users do in the meantime? Should they hold off on installing iOS 18?
Sarah Jones: For those concerned about potential issues, waiting for a subsequent update might be advisable. Apple usually addresses these initial bugs and performance concerns swiftly through software patches.
In the meantime, ensuring your device is running the latest version of iOS and keeping an eye out for official updates from Apple is key.
Sarah,what are your thoughts on Apple’s overall approach with this iOS upgrade? Is it typical to see this level of user dissatisfaction?
sarah Jones: Critically important design changes in established software can undoubtedly cause user discomfort.
While some embrace novelty, others prefer familiarity.Apple frequently enough pushes boundaries with its designs, and it’s critically important to remember that they are constantly refining their products based on user feedback. While this particular update has sparked some controversy, we can expect Apple to address concerns and continue to iterate on this software version.
Thank you for your insights, Sarah. We appreciate your time.
Sarah Jones: You’re welcome.
And that concludes our segment. For more information on iOS 18 and potential workarounds, visit our technology section on NewsDirectory3.com.