Apple released iOS 18, the latest version of its software for iPhones, on Monday.

This is Apple’s biggest iPhone update of the year, but the rollout doesn’t include the company’s upcoming artificial intelligence system, Apple Intelligence, which is the focus of Apple’s new ads. Apple Intelligence will be released to the public in beta later this fall and will arrive as part of a separate software package, Apple said.

The iOS 18 update changes the way the iPhone operating system looks and feels. One of the biggest features this year is the ability to change the color of the icons on the home screen. Overall, the new iPhone user interface will have a lot of customization options.

Separately, many of Apple’s apps have been redesigned or updated. Notably, Apple’s Messages app gains the ability to send RCS messages, which turn SMS text messages — known to some iPhone users as green bubbles — into a more modern experience with better photo quality and typing indicators.

The update is available for all iPhones released in 2018 or later. You can download it in Settings > General > Software Update.

• Users can now place icons anywhere on the home screen. For example, it is now possible to place our apps only around the edge of the screen, or add a single app in the center of the screen.
• Users can change the appearance of app icons, to dark mode or to a desired color.
• Apple has updated the Control Center menu with more pages of shortcuts and options.
• The Messages app can now bold or italicize text, and users can now react to messages with emojis instead of the options previously available, such as the question mark, exclamation point, heart, and thumbs up.
• Supported devices can send text messages via satellite when there is no Wi-Fi.
• The update includes a new Apple app called Passwords that lets you store and generate strong passwords.