iOS 18 Introduces Game Mode and Redesigned Tab Bar in iPadOS 18

Game Mode launches on iPhones with iOS 18 – the feature is based on one that Apple introduced in macOS Sonoma the prior year. Game Mode, as described by Apple, is an optimization for gaming that lets games access the full power of the iPhone processor while using fewer background tasks. Apple is also upgrading changes for other Bluetooth wireless headphones, as well as game controllers lowering input and audio latency when using these devices.

More About iOS 18 Game Mode and iPadOS 18 Tab Bar

Game Mode is designed to be activated automatically when running games or supported apps and a pop-up notification signals the change without any additional configuration needed. It is built to improve gameplay quality in big-budget AAA titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Resident Evil Village. Capcom revealed that Resident Evil 7 would arrive for iPhone, iPad, and Mac on July 2, opening the door to a nice test of how the game performs under Game Mode.

Apple has also redesigned the tab bar experiences in apps such as Clock, Apple TV, and Apple News with iPadOS 18. While they used to rest at the bottom in portrait, tab bars have now moved up top with all the other navigation controls. This change decreases the horizontal and vertical space consumed by the interface, which helps users focus on content.

Meanwhile, apps sidebars have also been overhauled to help navigate and provide shortcuts to key destinations. The sidebars and tab bars are able to be personalized by users with a drag-and-drop feature allowing for quicker access to favored pieces of content. Some tabs, like Home, TV+, MLS, and Store in the TV app, remain fixed, while the search option is consistently available at the end of the pinned section. Notably, tab bars disappear in landscape orientation.

Third-party developers have control over content visibility in the new tab bar and sidebar, deciding which items remain fixed or can be added or removed. The iPadOS 18 beta is currently accessible to developers, with Apple planning a public beta release in July.

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