Apple has added the ability to format external drives in iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, a major shift from its original design philosophies for iPhones and iPads. This new feature, discovered by artist and developer Kaleb Cadle, allows users to choose between APFS, ExFat, and MS-DOS (FAT) formatting options directly in the Files app. Previously, users would need to use Disk Utility on a Mac for this task. The inclusion of such a feature indicates a departure from Apple's past approach of limiting file system access on mobile devices. This move towards providing desktop-like functionality on iPhones and iPads shows that Apple is now willing to accommodate power users who demand more features. The evolution of these devices from simple, restricted platforms to more versatile tools with expanded capabilities reflects a significant shift in Apple's product development strategy over the years.