Apple confirms big changes in iOS 18 that sports fans will love with live lock screen scores and play-by-play action

SPORTS-LOVING iPhone owners are about to receive a blockbuster new upgrade in iOS 18.

Apple is adding several new features to its free Sports app.

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The Apple-native Sports app will soon offer Live Activities for all teams and leagues available in the app, according to the iPhone maker.

Live Activities will give iPhone owners live scores and play-by-play information on the lock screen - so fans can keep up with the game at a glance.

Live scores and play-by-play info will also be found in the Dynamic Island on newer models, and on the Apple Watch.

The move means Live Activities inside the Apple TV app will be unavailable with iOS 18.

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The app will cover 15 leagues, including NFL, NBA and Premier League - but even more in the future.

Additional leagues, such as the Champions League and Europa League in September, will become available on Apple Sports over time.

Apple added that the Sports app will offer "quick access to scoring drives presented alongside the view of every game play," along with a new dynamic drive tracker that "lets fans visualise where the ball is on the field at any time."

Later this year, Apple said it would add a new drop-down navigation bar and enhanced search functionality inside the app.

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Here's the full list of leagues Apple Sports will cover:

• NFL
• NCAAF
• MLS
• MLB
• NBA
• WNBA
• NCAA basketball (men's and women's)
• NHL
• NWSL
• Premier League
• Bundesliga
• LaLiga
• Liga MX
• Ligue 1
• Serie A

Inside iOS 18

iOS 18 will be the launchpad for Apple's first artificial intelligence (AI) features.

Apple Intelligence - as it's so aptly named - will power a new super-smart Siri, as well as reschedule meetings for you and natural language search for photos.

iPhone owners will also be able to search for scenes midway through a video, such as "When Katie takes her first steps" or "When Mum blows the birthday candles out".

There are 10 other Photos app features coming with iOS 18, including locked photos, a clean-up editing tool, and the Image Playground.

iMessage is also receiving a big boost, with 12 new iOS 18 features.

This includes a send later feature, tapback emojis, satellite messages and long-awaited RCS support.

Is my iPhone eligible?

iPhone models that supported iOS 17 will also get iOS 18.

That list includes:

• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone XR
• iPhone XS
• iPhone XS Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max

Sadly, barely any of those devices will get Apple Intelligence.

That's because even with iOS 18, only a select few handsets will offer Apple Intelligence.