Re: "Cannot minimize Live Caption screen after updating to iOS 18 : ... no longer minimizes when I swipe on the caption screen. It will stay up on screen until it minimizes back to the transparent button after about a minute".
Wondering if Apple Support's online article for iOS 18 (link below) is of any help:
Get live captions of spoken audio on iPhone - Apple Support
Eg: says:
- "Hide the Live Captions window: The Live Captions window is automatically hidden when no audio is detected. If the window is showing, swipe left or right on the window to hide it.
To restore the window, tap
.
- Make the transcription window full-screen: Tap
. To restore the window to the smaller size, tap 
."
If Apple's method above is not working for you, you may want to send feedback to reach those who work behind-the-scenes at Apple, and can make changes if others have similar issues: Webpage for Product Feedback - Apple
____________________________________________________________________________
Re: "I also experience extended stretches where the Live Caption simply stops working".
You may want to check if this happens in a particular app, or apps.
You can check which apps are or are not selected for using Live Captions:
ie: You may need the default setting for Live Captions to be shown across all apps
Go to: Settings > Accessibility > Live Captions
:"By default, Live Captions are shown across all apps. To get live captions only for certain apps such as FaceTime or RTT, turn them on below In-App Live Captions.
ie: If set to certain apps ... only those would show Live Captions
All the best :-)
