The Best iOS 18 Features for Parents

Apple’s latest iPhone update launched last week, with plenty of new features to make life easier for you and your family. Here are a few changes that parents should know about to help with any privacy or screen time concerns as well as communicating with each other.

Lock and hide your apps using Face ID

It happens every time I’m with my kids in a waiting room: I loan them my phone to play Angry Birds, and they’ll open another app. 

One of the most useful updates to iOS 18 is the ability to lock specific apps with Face ID. The easiest way to implement this feature is to press and hold the app until a menu appears. Then select “Require Face ID.” 

Another pop-up will appear that allows you to confirm your decision or to “Hide and Require Face ID.” If you choose the latter, the app will move from your home screen to the App Library under the “Hidden” category, which you can only open with Face ID. Thus, the app where your holiday shopping list is stored is now safe from prying eyes.

Improved messaging between iPhones and Androids

The green bubbles aren’t going away, but if your kids have Android phones, they can’t say they didn’t get that text you sent from your iPhone. When you select “RCS Messaging” in your Messages app settings, you get features like read receipts, typing indicators, and location settings, so they can no longer say they didn’t get that text about their curfew.

That said, the feature only works if the Android phone is also using RCS. Otherwise, you’ll see an “SMS” tag in the text field, and your messaging experience will be the same as it used to be.

Satellite iMessage

We’ve all experienced those tense moments when wifi and cellular service are unavailable. With iOS 18, Apple has expanded its Emergency SOS via Satellite feature to allow users with iPhone 14 and newer to send messages via satellite. To see how it works, select the “Satellite Connection Demo” option in your Messages app settings. You don’t need to know how to use the feature when push comes to shove, either: When you do run out of service, you’ll simply be prompted to send your messages over satellite. It works for SMS, too, so you can message both iPhones and Androids.

You’ll also be able to use this feature in the “Find My” app, and to request Roadside Assistance.

Apple Cash

Before this recent update, if you wanted to send money with your iPhone, you had to have the recipient’s contact info or phone number to start the process. Now, if someone in your family needs a few bucks for a movie, you just have to tap each other’s iPhones to send money with Apple Pay.

Schedule a text

If you don’t want to forget to remind your child that it’s time to head home, you can use the Send Later feature on the iMessage app to let them know curfew is imminent. Just hit the “+” symbol in the bottom left corner of the Messages app and tap “Send Later.” A default send time will appear, but simply tap on it to select the date and time you want the message to send.

Once you send the message, it appears as a clear chat bubble with a dotted outline. You can adjust the send time by tapping “Edit” next to the chat bubble, or choose “Delete Message” if you no longer want to send it.

SharePlay on FaceTime

With iOS 18, you can interact with another person’s device during a FaceTime call, which will be helpful when, say, showing grandparents how to use their iPhones. 

When you start a FaceTime call, press the SharePlay button, then tap “Ask to Share.” Once the other person approves the request, their screen will appear as a window on your display, so you can walk them through any issues. If you want to take control, tap the hand icon in the corner of your display. When they approve the request, you’ll be able to remotely control their iPhone’s display. You can learn more about this feature from our guide here.

Passwords app

All the passwords saved on your iCloud Keychain have moved to a new app called Passwords. In the app, you can share specific passwords with shared groups, including other family members, so if your kids want to log on to Disney+, they don’t have to call you at work—they can just look it up on the app.