Don't panic!

Got a surprise iOS 18 update on your brand-new iPhone? It's all good.

Leander Kahney
September 25, 2024

After a busy weekend playing Oktoberfest gigs, Cult of Mac’s resident bass player and managing editor, Lewis Wallace, finally got around to setting up his new iPhone 16 Pro on Monday.

It was a big chore. But then on Wednesday morning, he got a notification on his new phone to update to iOS 18. Wait? What? It was already running the latest version of iOS 18, or so he thought.

A bit confused, he dutifully ran the update, hoping it would fix intermittent touchscreen problems that he and other users have been experiencing.

But when he saw the “Welcome to iPhone” screen, his heart sank: He dreaded that he’d have to repeat all his work setting up the handset.

Luckily, he didn’t have to. And he’s not alone: On the socials, lots of new iPhone owners are confused about the unexpected iOS 18 update.

Apple hasn’t explained, but the company appears to be distributing the latest version of iOS 18 to brand-new iPhones that are running an outdated version installed in the factory.

So don’t worry: We have all the details here.

It remains unclear if all iPhone 16 models need the update — let us know in our daily poll below if you had to update yours.

Also in today’s newsletter:

Oh no, Mandalorian fans: Like Netflix before it, Disney+ is starting to crack down on password sharing.
The Vision Pro headset has two beautiful screens that deliver 4K to each eye. But a budget version of the headset that Apple is prototyping likely will come with far lower-resolution screens.
After years of wearing an Apple Watch, I finally trained myself to use the buttons properly. Then Apple changed it all with watchOS 10. If the update threw you for a loop, here’s everything the Apple Watch buttons do.
And here’s how to tell time on Apple Watch — without even looking at it.
For a budget audio manufacturer, Treblab has a pretty good reputation, and its $25 earbuds are even waterproof.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

Don’t panic: Mysterious iOS 18 update for iPhone 16 is nothing to worry about

A surprise post-release software update to iOS 18.0 build 22A3354 brings a startling "hello" screen, bug fixes and security updates.

Apple’s next Vision headset displays might lower resolution a lot

New reports strongly suggest a budget Vision Pro with lower resolution -- much lower -- could be in the works at Apple.

Apple Card Savings interest rate drops slightly to 4.25%

The interest rate earned by cash in Apple Card Savings accounts just decreased. But the rate is still higher than it was early last year.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

You can wear these $25 earbuds in the shower

With the Treblab WX8 waterproof earbuds, you will enjoy dynamic audio with powerful bass. Plus, you don't need to worry about drowning them.

What do the Apple Watch buttons do? Click, double-click and hold.

In watchOS 10, Apple adds a new Widgets view, assigns Control Center to the side button and changes what double-clicking the Digital Crown does.

Disney+ password sharing crackdown begins

If you watch Disney+ on your iPad, Mac, or Apple TV using someone else’s password, the company started actively looking for you.

^{A message from the Cult of Mac Deals team}

Price drop: This weather radar app gives you real-time data you can use

Stay ahead of inclement weather events with Weather Hi-Def Radar, a weather radar app that goes beyond your phone's usual weather alerts.

Get the time without even looking at your Apple Watch

You can read the time without even looking at your Apple Watch using a little-known feature called Taptic Time.

Today in Apple history: iPod nano gets colorful aluminum upgrade

On September 25, 2006, Apple shipped the second-generation iPod nano, offering a fancy aluminum redesign of the pocket-size original model.

From one dock user to another: CalDigit or Satechi? [Setups]

In this M2 MacBook Air setup, commentary broke out over one user's success with a CalDigit Thunderbolt dock and another's Satechi woes.

Tweets of the day

People to mkbhd
— Shantanu Goel (@shantanugoel)
3:41 PM • Sep 24, 2024

Now that @OpenAI advanced voice mode is launching, it's time to use the action button!
Here's how to set up your conversational friend on iPhones with that magical button
— Alex Volkov (Thursd/AI) (@altryne)
6:43 PM • Sep 24, 2024

48MP on the iPhone 16 Pro Max Ultra Wide - no edits
— Apple Design (@TheAppleDesign)
6:25 AM • Sep 24, 2024

First case where icon tinting actually looks good
— Lore (@lorevfx)
4:11 PM • Sep 25, 2024

Wallpaper of the day

Wallpaper
— JunesiPhone (@JunesIphone)
2:13 PM • Sep 24, 2024

One more thing ...

❝

People know how to deal with a desktop intuitively. If you walk into an office, there are papers on the desk. The one on the top is the most important. People know how to switch priority. Part of the reason we model our computers on metaphors like the desktop is that we can leverage this experience people already have.

— Steve Jobs, 2011.

Today’s poll

Did you need to update your iPhone 16?

Results from yesterday’s poll: Which iPhone 16 Pro color is your favorite?

Best reader comments

Subscribe to The Weekender — Get the week's best Apple news, reviews and how-tos from Cult of Mac, every Saturday morning. Our readers say: "Thank you guys for always posting cool stuff" -- Vaughn Nevins. "Very informative" -- Kenly Xavier.

Reply

or to participate.