The Weekender
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iOS 18 Home Screens are 🤯

iOS 18 Home Screens are 🤯

Find out how to make the most of iPhone customization options.

Lewis Wallace
June 22, 2024

When iOS 18 arrives this fall, iPhones will look very different. The update will let iPhone owners tweak their Home Screens in ways never before possible.

Savvy folks will make their customized iPhones look like expressive works of art. But if you’re not careful, you could end up with a very expensive dog’s breakfast.

This weekend’s new how-to showcases some great-looking examples and provides pointers for making your Home Screen dreams come true (and avoiding a visual nightmare). Some of the tips require iOS 18, available in developer beta now. Others you can take advantage of even if you’re not running the beta.

If nothing else, the inspirational how-to will get you thinking about how you want to tweak your iPhone when iOS 18 lands.

Also in this edition of The Weekender:

The WWDC24 keynote was so jam-packed that Apple didn’t even mention these cool iOS 18 features.
Unfortunately, many iOS 18 upgrades won’t make it to older devices.
Are you hip to all the hidden tricks of the Mail app’s Reply button?
A new sale offers big discounts on a wide variety of MacBooks, with one older model going for less than $220. Alternatively, students and teachers can save on new Apple gear with this year’s back-to-school sale.
Plus, the Cult of Mac Deals exclusive sale on a 2TB SSD for just $45 is still going strong!
And finally, if you regularly close your iPhone apps, you’re doing it wrong.

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Featured story

How to make a good-looking custom Home Screen in iOS 18

You can customize the iOS 18 Home Screen layout, icons and widgets like never before. Here's how to do it, and plenty of examples for inspiration.

News

11 hidden iOS 18 features Apple did not tell you about

iOS 18 is not all Apple Intelligence. Discover other small but important changes and hidden improvements coming to your iPhone with iOS 18.

Plus, more on iOS 18:

One week with visionOS 2: Nice tweaks leave me wishing for more

I loved getting my hands on visionOS 2, the first major software update for Vision Pro, which will bring a few delightful new features.

Future iPhone, Apple Watch and MacBook could sport super-slim designs

Apple reportedly wants to make iPhone, MacBook and Apple Watch the lightest and thinnest products in their respective categories.

Plus, more Apple rumors:

Apple 'buy now, pay later' service gets the ax

The service allowed shoppers to borrow and pay back in installments with no interest. But Apple Pay Later is now a thing of the past.

How-tos

3 reasons you shouldn’t close your open iPhone apps

It’s not always ideal, but it's good to know how to close iPhone apps for those times when an app is acting buggy or becomes unresponsive.

Pro Tip: Discover the hidden tricks of the Reply button in Apple Mail for iPhone

Unlock the secrets of Apple Mail's Reply button. Discover hidden options way beyond simply replying in the iPhone version.

How to use Apple Watch's fantastic nightstand mode

Nightstand mode turns your Apple Watch into a mini bedside alarm clock, complete with snooze and time. Here's how to use it.

How to start journaling with the iPhone Journal app

Apple's Journal app makes keeping a diary a breeze. Here's how to get started with the iPhone journaling app.

Deals

This 2TB portable SSD holds all your data for less than $45

This 2TB portable SSD external hard drive keeps your data close and your devices unclogged. And for a limited time, it costs just $44.97.

Plus, more hardware from Cult of Mac Deals:

Buy a MacBook Pro for as low as $220

Want a MacBook Pro for $220? That low, low price is available now in the sale at Woot! Or you could spend up to $2,200.

Plus: Apple Back to School deals on Mac and iPad get you up to $150 gift card

Every Mac deserves a quality PDF reader like this one

Don't miss your chance to get PDF Reader Pro for Mac for just $29.97 (regularly $59). This is a lifetime license (available for PC, too).

Plus, more software from Cult of Mac Deals:

Optimize your job search with Resso Professional's suite of AI tools

Use AI to hone your resume and practice for the big interview with Resso Professional. The AI job search tool is on sale for $79.99.

Plus, more AI services from Cult of Mac Deals:

$50 membership gives you lifetime access to all kinds of tech courses

With a lifetime membership to VirtualSkills, you won't just learn one skill. The online courses will teach you everything from AI to Excel.

Plus, more courses from Cult of Mac Deals:

Reviews

You have to see this brilliant iPhone and Apple Watch travel charger [Review] ★★★★★

Get the best of both worlds with the Twelve South ButterFly. A compact 2-in-1 charger for your iPhone and Apple Watch, it’s perfect for travel.

4 reasons Logitech’s M4 iPad Pro keyboard case is better than Apple’s [Review] ★★★★½

Get the scoop on the Logitech Combo Touch for M4 iPad Pro. Learn why it's a worthy rival to the Apple Magic Keyboard.

Take Journey’s Motion Apple Watch Sport Band on adventures [Review] ★★★½☆

Journey Motion Apple Watch Sport Band makes a great alternative to Apple's Sport Loop, with a crisp look and added features.

Alogic’s new Echelon keyboard and mouse make a dynamic duo [Review] ★★★★☆

The new Alogic Echelon wireless keyboard and mouse work smoothly together and with a computer setup. They're simple, stylish and effective.

This dual-port USB-C charger is small enough to take everywhere [Review] ★★★★½

Stay charged on the go with the very portable Plugable 40W Dual USB-C Charger. It can juice up your iPhone, iPad or Mac.

Setups

Crystal-clear mechanical keyboard wins style points

When both Magic Keyboards are benched, a transparent Yunzii X75 Mechanical Keyboard gives this MacBook Pro setup a cool look.

Top audio interface shapes MacBook Pro rig's sound

One way to get great sound out of your computer setup is to include a stellar audio interface.