iOS 18 could bring Face ID app locking and Dark Mode for app icons

Introduced as iPhone OS 1 back in 2007, today's iOS is expected to hit version 18 in about an hour. For now, the latest update is 17.5.1, and its release date was May 20th. Alongside iOS 18, Apple is also going to introduce iPadOS 18, as well as macOS 15 and watchOS 11. Obviously, various other software products from the tech giant based in Cupertino are also expected to arrive today.

According to insiders familiar with Apple's inner workings who spoke to MacRumors, iOS 18 will offer its users the chance to lock built-in apps to require biometric authentication for use. The list of such apps would include Messages, Notes, Safari, and so on. Third-party apps might get support for this feature at some point in the future as well, but for now there is no information about it.

Another change that will be even more visible to all users is the introduction of Dark Mode for home screen app icons. This would apply a black tint automatically to app icons on the home screen when enabling Dark Mode. As above, it is a feature that is supposed to debut only for Apple apps, and third parties will probably get a chance to use it at a later time.

Since Apple has not confirmed any of these rumors yet, it remains to be seen what gets revealed later today. Apple fans looking for a piece of hardware that would run the next-gen operating systems can currently get the iPad Pro 11 (M4, 256 GB, Wi-Fi + Cellular) for $1,159.93 on Amazon.