Third-Party Apps enhanced with iOS 18 features: Key highlights revealed

Apple launched iOS 18 on Monday, introducing 33 security fixes along with a variety of new features for iPhones. This release coincided with iOS 17.7, a security-only update for users who prefer to delay upgrading their devices.

While iOS 17.7 addresses 16 security issues, iOS 18 resolves more than double that amount. Among the vulnerabilities patched in iOS 18 are significant flaws affecting WebKit, which powers the Safari browser, and the Kernel at the core of the iPhone's operating system.

iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 introduce various new features for third-party apps, including the ability to create Control Center shortcuts that can be accessed from the Control Center, added to the Lock Screen, or triggered using the Action Button. MacRumors has compiled a list of third-party apps that now support these features in iOS 18:

Halide

The popular camera app Halide can now be accessed and launched directly from the Lock Screen, similar to Apple's Camera app. Users can even take photos with Halide while the iPhone is locked.

It can also be added to the Control Center and is compatible with Dark Mode and Tinted icons.

CARROT Weather

Carrot Weather supports Control Center widgets, allowing users to add shortcuts for launching the app directly to the Weather or Maps tab. The app also features dark and tinted icons for the Home Screen, with over 50 alternative app icons available.

On the Apple Watch, CARROT Weather has introduced Live Activities, enabling users to monitor when rain will begin or cease right from their wrist. Additionally, a new history section lets you view temperature and precipitation data for the last 30 days.

Things

The to-do app Things introduces two new controls for the Control Center and the Lock Screen, allowing users to quickly create a new to-do or access a list. It also supports dark and tinted app icons, as well as widgets.

This update paves the way for Apple Intelligence by adding support for four actions when interacting with Siri and integrating Writing Tools into the app.

Obscura

Camera app Obscura supports the new Lock Screen camera extension, so it can be accessed from the Lock Screen in place of Apple's default Camera app.

Tripsy

The travel app Tripsy got a design update and now integrates with several iOS 18 features. It includes Control Center widgets that allow users to access a list or view their next trip, along with support for Dark Mode and color-tinted icons. Additionally, the app supports new MapKit categories for points of interest.

Waterllama

Water tracking app Waterllama supports Control Center widgets, but with a twist. The icons are animated, and make it simple to log liquid consumption.

Weather Up

Weather Up, famous for its interactive widgets, now offers tinted widgets and light, dark, and tinted Home Screen icons, each with distinctive designs. You can use this link to try Weather Up for seven days without committing to an auto-renewing subscription.

Karo

Karo, a new app for assigning tasks to people, now offers Control Center and Lock Screen widgets, along with on-device translation in the app and app intents that work with Spotlight and Apple Intelligence. There are also new ‌Dark Mode‌ and tinted app icons.

Crouton

The recipe management app Crouton has integrated several iOS 18 features, such as recipe translations and support for Dark Mode and tinted icons. On the Apple Watch, users can take advantage of Live Activities for tracking timers and can easily move through recipe steps using a Double Tap gesture.

Focus

Productivity app Focus supports Control Center widgets, customizable app icons, and App Shortcuts. The watchOS 11 version of the app supports Live Activities, Interactive Widgets, and Double Tap gestures.

Slopes

The winter sports app Slopes has been revamped for iOS 18, emphasizing interactive maps and personal activity statistics. It now includes support for Apple Intelligence and offers new Siri Shortcuts for controlling recordings via voice or the Control Center, as well as compatibility with Dark Mode and tinted icons.

On the Apple Watch, Slopes features Smart Stack interactive widgets and supports Double Tap gestures for enhanced usability.

Lumy

Sunrise and sunset app Lumy offers Control Center widgets and tinted icons, plus on Apple Watch, it supports Live Activities and Double Tap.

Fantastical

The calendar app Fantastical has been updated to support light mode, Dark Mode, and tinted icons and widgets. Users can add it to the Control Center for quick access to features such as Today's Schedule, Create Event, and Search.

On the Apple Watch, Fantastical offers Live Activities that sync with the iPhone. It also includes a Today's Schedule complication that shows your next upcoming event and the count of tasks remaining for the day.

Sticky Widgets

Sticky Widgets, the app that allows you to add sticky notes to your Home Screen, now supports light mode, Dark Mode, and tintable app icons and widgets. It also includes integration with the Control Center.

Additionally, pinned notes can now be viewed on the Apple Watch due to new integration features.