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Not Installing iOS 26 Yet? Change These 10 iOS 18 Settings and Make Your iPhone Feel New

  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/09 .. s-18-settings-and-make-your-iphone-feel-new.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Friday, September 26th 2025 at 17:33 GMT by CNET
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Refresh Your iPhone: 10 Quick‑Fixes That Make iOS 18 Feel Like New

When Apple drops a major iOS update, the first impulse for most users is to hit “Update” right away. But if you’re still living on an older version—or simply want to tweak your device to feel fresher without the hassle of a new OS—you can get surprisingly much of the same “new‑iPhone‑feeling” by adjusting a handful of settings. CNET’s recent roundup, “Not installing iOS 18 yet? Change these 10 iOS 18 settings and make your iPhone feel new,” breaks down the easiest, most impactful adjustments you can make right now.

Below is a concise, 500‑plus‑word summary of the article’s key take‑aways, including a deeper dive into why each tweak matters and how it can revamp your experience.

1. Enable Dark Mode (or Light Mode, if that’s your preference)

Apple’s flagship “dark” theme has been a staple since iOS 13, and iOS 18 takes it a step further with even deeper blacks and more refined UI elements. Dark Mode reduces eye strain in low‑light environments, extends battery life on OLED screens, and gives the iPhone a cleaner, more “modern” look. The article notes that toggling this setting in Settings → Display & Brightness instantly re‑skins the entire system—app menus, widgets, Control Center, and even the lock screen.

Why it feels new: A fresh theme can give you the psychological lift of a fresh install, and because Dark Mode is applied globally, it looks cohesive across all apps.

2. Fine‑Tune Text Size & Bold Text

Accessibility settings that let you enlarge or bold text make your iPhone more readable—and they’re surprisingly easy to adjust. The article walks through Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size, highlighting the “Larger Text” slider and the “Bold Text” toggle.

Why it feels new: Small UI tweaks can drastically alter the visual hierarchy. Bigger, bolder letters make icons look clearer, and the visual weight shift can feel like a complete overhaul of the interface.

3. Reduce Motion & Transparency

Two key accessibility options—Reduce Motion and Reduce Transparency—are designed to cut out unnecessary motion and visual clutter. Turning on Reduce Motion (under Settings → Accessibility → Motion) suppresses parallax effects, the notification center animation, and the app launch transition. Meanwhile, Reduce Transparency (found under Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size) removes translucency from the status bar, control center, and other UI layers, giving them a more solid look.

Why it feels new: Removing motion and transparency often gives the UI a sharper, more “classic” feel reminiscent of older iOS iterations, which can be a refreshing change if you’re used to the fluid, glassy aesthetic of the latest release.

4. Customize the Control Center

iOS 18 extends Control Center’s flexibility. The article explains how to add, remove, or reorder controls by going to Settings → Control Center. You can choose from a growing list of shortcuts—Airplane Mode, Accessibility Shortcuts, and even third‑party app controls. Additionally, you can toggle whether the Control Center appears on the lock screen.

Why it feels new: A personalized Control Center can dramatically change your interaction flow, making the iPhone feel tailored to your habits.

5. Set Up Focus Modes

Apple’s Focus modes (previously “Do Not Disturb”) have become central to iOS 18’s productivity tools. The article suggests customizing Focus filters to prioritize certain contacts, apps, or even entire schedules. By going to Settings → Focus, you can add new Focus categories or modify existing ones, choose which notifications bypass your Focus, and set a Home Screen layout that changes automatically.

Why it feels new: By actively shaping the notification experience, you get a sense of control that feels like a fresh start, especially if you’re often distracted by constant pings.

6. Rearrange the App Library

With iOS 18’s App Library, you can reorganize your apps to match how you think about them. The article demonstrates how to group apps by category or by usage frequency, then pin or hide specific folders. By doing so, you can bring frequently used apps to the front of the library or remove cluttered sections.

Why it feels new: A cleaner, more logical App Library mirrors the experience of a fresh installation, where apps are neatly sorted, not left in a random mash‑up.

7. Customize Widgets

Widgets are the new “smart home screen” in iOS 18, and the article details how to change their size, style, and content. By tapping Edit Widgets on the home screen, you can add, remove, or reposition widgets from Weather, Calendar, or third‑party services like Spotify or Kindle.

Why it feels new: Widgets bring dynamic content to the forefront. A customized home screen that displays exactly what you need (e.g., your next flight, the next podcast episode) can make your iPhone feel like it’s built just for you.

8. Set a Custom Lock‑Screen Background

A simple, high‑resolution background can dramatically alter the lock‑screen experience. The article encourages using an iPhone‑specific wallpaper that matches your display resolution (e.g., 1170 × 2532 for iPhone 13). You can also set a dynamic lock‑screen that changes each day.

Why it feels new: Even if you’re using the same iPhone, a new lock‑screen image instantly gives it a brand‑new look.

9. Enable “Hey Siri” and Fine‑Tune Voice Feedback

Apple has refined Siri’s voice feedback, and iOS 18 gives users more control over when Siri speaks. The article shows how to set Settings → Siri & Search → Siri Voice to “Alex” or “Sam” and adjust the Voice Feedback toggle to “Always” or “Control with Ring Switch.” Additionally, you can enable Press Side Button for Siri for hands‑free operation.

Why it feels new: A personal voice and smarter interaction mode make your iPhone feel more intelligent and tailored.

10. Explore Battery & Power‑Saving Features

If you’re not yet on iOS 18, you might be missing the new battery‑saving features that can extend life by optimizing background activity. The article highlights Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode and the new Battery Health section that shows your maximum capacity and peak performance. Turning on Optimized Battery Charging can also improve long‑term health.

Why it feels new: A healthier battery and more power‑efficient performance give the device a “new‑found resilience” that feels like a fresh upgrade.

Putting It All Together

The article’s central thesis is simple: you don’t always need a new OS to feel the thrill of a new device. By selectively adjusting settings—especially those that alter visual style, accessibility, and user workflow—you can “refresh” your iPhone with minimal effort.

A few key take‑aways for readers:

• Accessibility isn’t just for those with impairments. Tweaking text size, motion, and transparency can make your screen feel clearer and more comfortable, even if you don’t have a visual or motor impairment.
• Control Center and Focus are powerful productivity hubs. Customizing them can cut down on notification clutter and streamline your daily tasks.
• Widgets and lock‑screen customization add personality. A dynamic home screen that reflects your priorities can make the device feel brand‑new.
• Battery health matters. Optimized charging and low‑power mode can extend your iPhone’s lifespan, giving it a renewed sense of vigor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re hesitant to install iOS 18 because of concerns about bugs, battery drain, or simply the time it takes to download and install, the CNET article demonstrates that you can achieve many of the same benefits in a fraction of the time. Each tweak is a small step toward a more personalized, efficient, and visually appealing iPhone—one that feels like a fresh install without the technical overhead.

Give these 10 settings a try, and you’ll likely find your iPhone feeling “new” long before the next software update lands.