10 Apps You Won’t Need Once iOS 18 Arrives
Credit: Andy Makely
With iOS 18 and other significant Apple software updates coming this fall, Apple surprised the world by introducing a bunch of new features, apps, and changes that we've wanted for years but didn't expect to see in 2024.
Unfortunately, not all of this is good news, especially for developers. Now that Apple has introduced several first-party solutions to solve problems we've had for years, this update might kill some third-party apps.
Granted, just because Apple introduced a new app or feature doesn't mean that established third-party apps will disappear, but you might not need them as much anymore. The most popular apps will still be around, but they might take a hit on their users and monthly downloads because of Apple. We've seen how it's affected other apps in the past, and it will probably happen again later this year.
Read on for ten types of apps that could be less necessary once iOS 18 arrives later this month.
Grammar Apps
Grammar apps such as Grammarly have been around for years now, and they've become a staple for many professional users.
However, that might change thanks to iOS 18 and Apple Intelligence. Apple's take on AI is bringing a brand new feature that will automatically proofread your work for you. Moreover, it can give you suggestions to improve it, make it sound more professional, or give you a list of bullet points to add as a TL;DR section in your email.
That's way more than most basic spelling apps do nowadays, and the best part is that Apple Intelligence will be available at no extra cost. Some people might be less willing to pay for a subscription when their iPhone or Mac can do the same work for free.
The only catch is that you'll need a device that supports Apple Intelligence. For iPhone users, that's an iPhone 15 Pro and later models, but most Mac users should be able to take advantage of the new Writing Tools since Apple Intelligence will be available in macOS Sequoia for Macs as far back as the 2020 M1 MacBook Air.
Emoji Generators
Being able to create a custom emoji for any situation is a skill that's not as popular as you may think, but that will change with iOS 18.
During its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple introduced a new Apple Intelligence feature called Genmoji that lets you create any custom emoji just by describing it.
For instance, you can create an emoji of a tiger riding a scooter, and your iPhone will create it in just a few moments. Moreover, there will also be an app called Image Playground that will help you make any type of drawing or sketch you want with just a prompt.
Moreover, this feature will understand context, which means you can create drawings or animations of your friends or family in a flash. With powerful features and apps, why would you want to download a third-party alternative?
Calculator Apps
Let's face it: Apple's Calculator app wasn't all that great. Not only that, but there hasn't even been an official Calculator app for the iPad until now.
Apple took its time, but the Calculator app is finally better. On iOS 18, you can switch from a basic calculator to a scientific calculator with just one tap. Moreover, you can also switch to a unit converter. There are hundreds of units you can use, from currency to weight or distance.
And after a long time, we finally have a History section in the calculator. You no longer have to save your results in a separate app because the Calculator app will keep track of recent calculations for you to see or use whenever you want.
Math Solving Apps
If a better Calculator app isn't enough, your iPhone and iPad will also be able to solve your math problems for you, making math-solving apps almost useless.
This is thanks to a new feature called Math Notes. With it, you enter your math problem, and your iPhone solves it in real time. Whether it's a basic calculation or a complicated equation, your iPhone can solve it in seconds.
Of course, that doesn't mean math-solving apps will disappear, at least not for now. Other math-solving apps let you scan your math problems or show you how you got to the result, making them better for actual learning.
Password Managers
Apple surprised us by introducing a brand new Passwords app. While you could always keep your passwords safe on your iPhone in the past, the new Passwords app makes it easier to keep your most important credentials safe, no matter which platform you use.
For instance, you can store your passwords, verification codes, or passkeys all in the same place. You can access these credentials almost instantly when browsing the web or logging into any app.
But what's really impressive is that the Passwords app will be available on all Apple devices and Windows computers. Even if you have an iPhone and a PC, you'll still be able to store and use your passwords on both devices, which is something we rarely see from Apple.
Hiking Trail Apps
In the past, you've needed an extra trail app to get the best hiking trails for your next adventure. But now, Apple has your back.
Apple improved the Maps app by adding hiking trails for all 63 US national parks. You'll also get other data, like the length of the trail and its elevation.
What's more, you can also download these trails to your iPhone or Apple Watch, making them easier to use while you're offline. You can also make your iPhone give you directions in real time in case you want a guide while hiking.
Of course, if you're outside the US, you'll still need a third-party app, but it's only a matter of time before Apple adds hiking trails for other countries around the globe.
Call Recording Apps
In the past, you've needed cumbersome third-party apps to record calls, but that will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to iOS 18. Or maybe it's more accurate to say it's almost a thing of the past, depending on whether you want to keep your call recording a secret.
Apple introduced a call recording feature in the Phone app this year. This feature not only logs your calls but also transcribes them for you. If you have an iPhone that supports Apple Intelligence, it will even summarize a long conversation for you, condensing it down to just the most important points.
The only downside, compared to other call recording apps, is that the other person will be notified that you're recording them. Of course, that's good news for the other person, as it's a way to keep things transparent.
Voice Transcription Apps
Another app that might be going away soon are the countless transcription apps available on the App Store.
The reason is that Apple is finally adding a transcription feature. Granted, you could make your iPhone write stuff for you in the past, but now the Notes app and the Voice Memos app will have a built-in voice transcription option that will make it even easier to write down your thoughts without using your hands at all.
While we still have to test this when it fully launches in the future, this new feature will definitely make at least some third-party voice transcription apps disappear.
iPhone Mirroring Apps
If you also have a Mac, you've probably wondered if you could mirror your iPhone screen onto your Mac so you can control it without having to use two devices simultaneously.
While there are a few alternatives that allow you to mirror your iPhone to your Mac in the App Store, Apple is about to make it obsolete. During its WWDC presentation, the company revealed a new iPhone mirroring feature that will let you take full control of your iPhone in your Mac.
This feature will not just mirror whatever is happening on your iPhone. Instead, it will basically transfer your iPhone into your Mac, making it possible to fully control your iPhone and its app without having to unlock your iPhone.
As we mentioned, there are some iPhone mirroring apps in the App Store, but it's unlikely any of them will work as well as Apple's new feature.
Artificial Intelligence Apps
Nowadays, AI apps are a dime a dozen on the App Store. You can find an AI for any market, or you'll find that the most popular developers are starting to implement AI to make their apps better.
However, that might soon change, thanks to Apple Intelligence. Apple's take on AI will make Siri smarter than it ever has and easier to use under many different circumstances.
During the WWDC presentation, Apple showed how smart Siri will become. It will even be able to understand the context of whatever is on your screen without forcing you to explain it to it.
Even ChatGPT's app will probably disappear from your iPhone. Apple revealed that you'll be able to connect ChatGPT to your iPhone without even having to create an account, making the ChatGPT app itself almost useless.