If you’ve recently updated to iOS 18.4 (or about to), you’re in for a few delightful surprises.

Apple’s newest software upgrade has quietly introduced a batch of new features that work on many existing iPhones — not just the latest 15 or 16 models. And while some of the flashier “Apple Intelligence” AI tools require the latest Pro models, there are three powerful updates that most agents can take advantage of right now.

Best of all, if you have any challenges accessing these new features, contact Tech Helpline for support.

Here are some new iPhone iOS 18 features that stand out:

More secure

Lock any app and manage passwords without third-party tools.

Your iPhone’s built-in security just got a major upgrade. You can now lock any app on your phone behind Face ID.

With iOS 18.4, Apple now allows you to require Face ID (or your passcode) to open individual apps. This means that if you hand your phone to a client to look at a property photo, they won’t accidentally open your texts, email, or bank account. It’s a big upgrade for anyone who mixes personal and professional tasks on their phone.

And unlike third-party tools, this is fully integrated. There’s no new app to learn, and no subscription is required.

iOS 18.4 also introduces Apple’s new Passwords app, which is like having LastPass or 1Password baked directly into your phone — for free.

The new Apple Passwords app stores:

• Website and app login credentials
• Wi-Fi passwords
• Two-factor authentication codes
• Security alerts for weak or reused passwords

You can organize passwords into folders, share credentials securely with others (like a member of your team), and access everything across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac — securely encrypted.

For real estate agents juggling multiple logins — MLS, CRM, a transaction management platform, social media, and more — this new built-in tool can simplify and secure your digital work.

Pro tip: You can also hide apps from your Home Screen entirely, so even the app icon disappears unless you unlock it.

Find photos faster

Smart photo search makes it easier to locate what you need quickly.

Finding the right one can be time-consuming as your phone fills up with thousands of photos and videos. iOS 18.4 brings two under-the-radar improvements that can shave minutes off every day.

Apple updated its Photos app to make it more user-friendly and better at surfacing what you care about. While some AI features like object recognition require newer iPhones, the organization tools work on most devices.

You can now create collections, pin important albums, and use enhanced search functions to locate property photos faster than ever.

Here’s what’s new:

• Pinned collections: Keep your “Listing photos,” “Social images,” and “Neighborhood Videos” in albums at the top.
• Recent Days view: iOS 18.4 automatically groups your most recent photos by day, making it easier to find something you shot at today’s open house or yesterday’s walkthrough.
• Improved layout: Easier scrolling, better thumbnails, and smoother swiping make it feel faster and less cluttered.
• Smarter search: iOS 18.4 brings upgraded photo search capabilities to help you locate images using natural language — even without specific tags.

While AI computer vision search is limited to newer devices (iPhone 15 Pro and Max and all iPhone 16 models), even iPhones without advanced AI — as far back as the iPhone XR — can still recognize basic keywords or categories. Search with words like “kitchen,” “pool,” “backyard,” “screenshots,” and “maps” to find what you need when you need it.

Pro tip: Create a new album by each listing address or buyer client’s last name, then pin their album to the top so it’s always one tap away.

Talk-to-text magic

Live transcription in Notes is built in and free!

If you’ve used apps like Otter.ai or paid tools for voice-to-text transcription, Apple has made your life easier and might save you more than $100 a year.

In iOS 18.4, you can now record audio in the Notes app and see a live transcription appear as you speak or record a conversation or speaker at a conference. While it doesn’t have the voice identification or summary features of a program like Otter for basic transcription, it also doesn’t have a time limit (technically) or an added monthly fee.

The trick is knowing how to access this new feature as it’s hidden:

• Open a new note in the Notes app.
• Tap the paperclip icon (not a microphone).
• Choose Record Audio.
• Speak naturally, and your transcription will appear in real-time.
• Tap Done when finished. You’ll see the audio file and transcript together in the Note.

For agents who create their own content, it’s a convenient way to capture blog ideas, social captions, or even emails while driving or between appointments. You can also use it to quickly document anything else you’d typically try to scribble down. A clean, editable transcript automatically saved in your Notes app can help you stay better organized.

Live transcription in notes works on most iPhones that support iOS 18.4 and requires no special hardware. Two points of caution: make sure you follow the recording rules in your state regarding recording consent, and while there is no time limit, users report that it’s best to keep any recording under 30 minutes, or it will start to lag and/or stall out.

Pro tip: Organize your transcribed notes in folders: one for sellers, one for buyers, one for marketing ideas, etc. This keeps your thoughts organized and easier to retrieve.

Small changes make a big difference

These three updates to most iPhones — better security, faster search, and built-in transcription — might not sound flashy. But once you start using them, they can save you a lot of time, keep you from going down a search rabbit hole, and reduce the need for extra apps or subscriptions.

To check for and install the latest iOS updates, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone.

Remember, If you run into any challenges accessing any of these new iPhone features or updating the operating system, Tech Helpline is the No. 1 source for real estate agent tech support. Available to more than 730,000 real estate pros across North America, Tech Helpline offers associations, MLSs, and brokerages unlimited tech support via chat, email, or phone. If you need help and have Tech Helpline as a member benefit, don’t hesitate to reach out!

To view the original article, visit the Tech Helpline blog.