Apple iOS 18 update is live: These are the most important new iPhone security features to protect your private life

Apple released the latest version of its iPhone operating system, iOS 18, on Monday, including several new security and privacy features. The rollout comes a week after Apple unveiled new versions of the iPhone, AirPods and Apple Watch. Preorders for the new iPhones began Friday and will be widely available on Sept. 20.

Some consumer tech experts say the new iPhone hardware is best judged as incremental, and early data suggests demand could be sluggish, so neither the phone nor new artificial intelligence features will necessarily result in an upgrade supercycle. But for iPhone users, it's worth familiarizing yourself with the new operating system's Password Manager app and additional choices on how and where your data is accessed. That includes controls related to your personal and business contacts, and new ways to protect sensitive apps and associated information on devices that may be shared.

Privacy professionals say updates for iOS 18, the public beta version of which has been available since July, should make it easier for consumers to understand and use available privacy protections.

"Apple continues to try to build privacy for its users, and it does typically try to make them easy for people to understand," said Jodi Daniels, chief executive and privacy consultant at Red Clover Advisors. 

Here's a rundown of some new security and privacy features and how to access them.

Apple has created a separate app for storing user passwords. Previously, passwords could be stored in iCloud Keychain, the password management system integrated into Apple devices, but a separate app makes access easier, privacy professionals said. 

The new app has other features to promote good privacy practices. For instance, users are alerted if