Executive Assistants, Here’s How iOS 18 Can Transform Your Day
As an executive assistant, your day is a whirlwind of managing calendars, coordinating meetings, keeping communication smooth, and making sure everything runs like clockwork for your executive. It’s a lot, right? That’s why staying on top of the latest technology is such a game changer—it’s all about working smarter, not harder. At EA Society, we’re always on the lookout for tools that can simplify your workflow, and Apple’s latest iOS 18 update does just that.
While iOS has always offered great productivity tools, this latest update brings in some truly exciting new features designed to help you streamline your day like never before. From scheduling messages for later to real-time voicemail transcription, these are not just upgrades—they’re time-savers that can make a real impact on your efficiency.
Here are our top favorite new features in iOS 18, specifically designed to help executive assistants thrive:
1. Send Later: Schedule Your Messages
One of the most requested features for years is finally here—Send Later. Now, instead of sending a message late at night or worrying about forgetting to send an important reminder in the morning, you can schedule your messages to be sent at a specific time.
How to use it:
After composing your message in the Messages app, press and hold the send button. You’ll see an option to “Send Later.” Select your desired time and date, and iOS 18 will take care of the rest.
Use case for EAs:
Imagine you’re drafting an important message to send to your executive or a team member. Instead of worrying about sending it immediately or setting a reminder to do it later, schedule it for when it needs to be delivered. This is perfect for those late-night tasks when you don’t want to disturb anyone but need it off your plate.
When I was just starting out in my EA career, I had an executive who wanted me to text him 10 minutes before each call—a lot, right? I remember wishing that there was something like this out there! Instead, I set a timer for 13 minutes before the top of each hour all day long—this feature is a huge improvement to my original system.
2. Real-Time Voicemail Transcription
Missed calls can be stressful when you’re juggling a dozen things. While voicemail transcription was available in previous versions, iOS 18 takes it a step further with real-time transcription, allowing you to read the message as it’s being recorded, not just after.
How to use it:
When a call goes to voicemail, you’ll now see a live transcription of the message as the caller is speaking. This gives you the option to read the message in real time and even decide if you need to answer the call before the voicemail ends.
Use case for EAs:
As an EA, you're often in meetings or focused on time-sensitive tasks. With real-time voicemail transcription, you can quickly glance at messages and determine if they require immediate attention. This feature saves you from having to listen to the full message or waiting for it to finish recording before deciding to respond, streamlining your day even further.
3. Call Recording and Transcription
Recording calls has been a long-awaited feature for many, and with iOS 18, it's finally on the horizon—set to be released later this year! Even more exciting, this feature will also include live transcriptions of your calls, enabling you to capture essential details without missing a beat.
How to use it:
When the call recording feature becomes available, you’ll see a new “Record Call” button during your conversation. By tapping this button, your call will be recorded, and afterward, you’ll receive a transcript saved in your Notes or Files app for easy reference.
Use case for EAs:
This feature is poised to be a game changer for executive assistants during meetings or client calls. Instead of scrambling to take notes or trying to remember key takeaways, you’ll be able to focus on the conversation at hand. Later, you can review the call’s transcript, ensuring you don’t miss any vital information.
4. Interactive Widgets for a Seamless Overview
Widgets have long provided quick access to information, but iOS 18 takes it up a notch with interactive widgets. This new feature allows you to perform actions directly from your home screen, such as marking tasks as complete in real time or interacting with notifications without needing to open the corresponding app.
How to use it:
To take advantage of interactive widgets, add a widget to your home screen as you normally would. Depending on the app, you’ll now be able to engage with the widget. For example, you can mark tasks as done in a to-do list widget without needing to launch the app.
Specific widget examples:
Reminders Widget: Check off completed tasks directly from your home screen.
Calendar Widget: View and respond to event invitations or reminders.
Mail Widget: Quickly flag or reply to emails without opening the Mail app.
Weather Widget: Interact with the widget to view extended forecasts or alerts.
Notes Widget: Add quick notes or checklists directly from the home screen.
Use case for EAs:
Interactive widgets make tracking tasks from your home screen easy without constantly switching between apps. This feature provides a fast and efficient way to stay on top of priorities, helping you maintain focus on other tasks while still keeping an eye on what needs to be done.
As executive assistants, we know how hectic our days can get, and having the right tools can make all the difference. With the exciting new features in iOS 18, we can streamline our workflows and enhance our productivity like never before. From real-time voicemail transcriptions that help us manage communications on the fly to interactive widgets that keep our priorities front and center, these updates are here to support us in our busy roles. Embracing these tech advancements not only helps us stay organized but also enables us to serve our executives with even more confidence and efficiency. So, take a little time to explore these features—you might find your new favorite tools that make your day a whole lot easier!
