iOS 18 Beta Notes Reveal More Changes for FaceTime, Siri, and Wallet

Apple shared iOS 18 beta release notes on its developer website last week, and they reveal some smaller changes related to FaceTime, Siri, and the Wallet app.

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock
iOS 18 is currently in beta for Apple Developer Program members, with a public beta to follow in July. The update should be widely released in September.

FaceTime

Apple says FaceTime will use more data in Low Power Mode on iOS 18 when network conditions are good, for improved video call quality.

Siri

iOS 18 includes a new setting that can "significantly" improve Siri's audio quality in Bluetooth-enabled vehicles that lack CarPlay, according to Apple.

The new option can be found in the Settings app under Siri → Siri Responses → "Respond over Media Source." The description for this setting says that "Siri will respond over A2DP car stereos, which is ideal while listening to media from your phone."

Wallet

As noted by Nicolás Álvarez, the notes indicate that users adding an ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone may now be asked to take a Live Photo instead of, or in addition to, conducting a series of head and facial movements. Apple says the Live Photo will be evaluated by the device to ensure that the real and rightful person is adding the ID.

Apple first announced the ability to add a driver's license or ID to the Wallet app in 2021, but only four U.S. states have rolled out the feature so far, including Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, and Georgia. The feature provides a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Plus Feature

iPhone 17 'Slim': Everything We Know So Far

Friday July 5, 2024 5:13 am PDT by
In 2025, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" device in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for an iPhone "Slim" – although it may not actually be called this when it debuts in the fall of next year. Even though the iPhone 16 series launch is still over two months away, when you consider that we learned about larger displays on the iPhone 16 Pro models way back in May 2023, rumors...
HomePod G4 Feature

Leak Confirms Apple's Work On 'Home Accessory'

Thursday July 4, 2024 9:15 am PDT by
Code discovered on Apple's backend by MacRumors confirms Apple is indeed working on a long-rumored home accessory in addition to the HomePod and Apple TV. The code references a device with the identifier "HomeAccessory17,1," which is a new identifier category. The name is similar to the HomePod's "AudioAccessory" identifier. Interestingly, the 17,1 in the identifier name suggests that...
iPhone 16 Camera Lozenge 2

Apple Leak Confirms Four iPhone 16 Models With Same A18 Chip

Tuesday July 2, 2024 9:48 am PDT by
Code discovered in Apple's backend by Nicolás Alvarez and shared with MacRumors confirms Apple's plans to release four iPhone 16 models this year, and it indicates that the devices will all have the same A-series chip. There are mentions of new model numbers that are not associated with existing iPhones, and that have the numbering scheme Apple uses for its flagship devices. The code...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
3 weeks ago
"Respond over Media Source" is highly welcome! I hate how the car goes into phone call mode whenever I ask Siri for anything.

Would be nice to also have "Always respond on iPhone speaker", keeping bluetooth devices away from Siri entirely. I don't need the whole party to hear Siri's response if I ask it something when playing music over Bluetooth at a gathering, etc.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LightProtector Avatar
3 weeks ago
Man, I wish Apple's digital ID would be adopted by more states. I would love to see it in Florida, but I doubt it would happen with the current administration.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
3 weeks ago

Apple first announced the ability to add a driver's license or ID to the Wallet app in 2021, but only four U.S. states have rolled out the feature ('https://www.macrumors.com/2024/03/14/apple-wallet-app-ids-slow-adoption/') so far, including Arizona, Maryland, Colorado, and Georgia. The feature provides a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports, businesses, and venues.
Apparently New York has some form of digital ID rolling out, but it doesn't seem to be integrated at all into Apple Wallet. So, you're using a crusty state-supplied app for it. Bleh.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
3 weeks ago

That's what I don't get about all the people wanting this.

It's a HORRIBLE idea.

Why does anybody think a little thin plastic card is somehow a huge burden to carry?
Because it is NOT a horrible idea, only ridiculous conspiracies think its a horrible idea, which I and the majority of people don’t subscribe to.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JCoe13 Avatar
3 weeks ago

"Respond over Media Source" is highly welcome! I hate how the car goes into phone call mode whenever I ask Siri for anything.

Would be nice to also have "Always respond on iPhone speaker", keeping bluetooth devices away from Siri entirely. I don't need the whole party to hear Siri's response if I ask it something when playing music over Bluetooth at a gathering, etc.
Looks like that is also an option:

- Respond over Radio
- Respond over Media Source
- Respond over Phone Speakers
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dontwalkhand Avatar
3 weeks ago

Apparently New York has some form of digital ID rolling out, but it doesn't seem to be integrated at all into Apple Wallet. So, you're using a crusty state-supplied app for it. Bleh.
We have the crusty state supplied app as well as Apple Wallet here in Arizona. The only thing the Apple Wallet one is useful for is the airport, and the actual DMV office itself. The rest, the “crusty app” actually is better because it shows a replica of your actual ID on your phone, along with the barcode, allowing existing equipment and places to accept it fine.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)