Great time for iPhone users! Prepare yourself for the next ios update as the ios 18.5 release is just around the corner. Well, this may not be a big one, but there are many interesting things to look forward to with this update. Let us get down to everything we know about ios 18.5, from when it is dropping to what is new and which devices will get it.
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When Will iOS 18.5 Release?
Apple has been testing iOS 18.5 with developers and public beta testers. Right now, it is already on its third beta as of April 2025. So, according to Apple’s usual pattern, minor updates like this one can be expected early to mid-May 2025. Some sources say it is likely between May 5 and May 13, 2025.
Apple, with this latest ios release, is trying to make it to the final stage before the big ios 19 debut happens later in 2025. So yeah, things are moving fast towards something more exciting at WWDC 2025, starting June 9.
Coming back, once it arrives on your device, you can get ios 18.5 over the air. Head to Settings > General > Software Update.
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What Are You Getting With iOS 18.5 Update?
As mentioned earlier, you won’t find any significant upgrade in this one. That was also the case when we transitioned from ios 18.3 to ios 18.4. However, ios 18.5 focuses on practical improvements and bug fixes to keep your iPhone running smoothly. Find below a rundown of the key changes we know about so far:
1. Mail App Features Improve
Apple is trying to make professional work more seamless and less time-consuming when it comes to using Mail tools. Here are the new additions:
Turn off Contact photos: If you are annoyed by contact photos showing up in your inbox, ios 18.5 lets you turn them off easily via a new toggle. You will find it in the three-dot menu at the top-right corner.
Disable categories: You can quickly switch off Mail categorisation if it’s not your thing.
These small changes make email management a bit more user-friendly.
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2. AppleCare and Warranty Info
Are you wondering if your iPhone is still under warranty? But it is such a hassle to check! Not anymore! Now, checking AppleCare status just got easier. The ios 18.5 makes this info more visible in the Settings app. You will see a banner under Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty. If you are an AppleCare subscriber, there is a new section in Apple Account > Device Info to manage your plan. So yeah, no need to get buried under the numerous menus.
3. New Pride Watch Face
One of the updates is exclusively for Apple Watch users. A vibrant new Pride watch face is coming to both iOS 18.5 and watchOS 11.5. Apple has always included the LGBTQ+ community in a couple of their launches. Last year it was the Pride collection of smartwatches. This time, it’s the watch face. It will have the “vibrant display of verisimilitude” with “multi-coloured shapes meeting at sharp angles”. It is a colourful addition for Apple Watch users.
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4. CarPlay and AirDrop Improvements
CarPlay users aren’t left out as well! With ios 18.5 update, Apple improves compatibility with vehicles for a more reliable connection. AirDrop is also getting a boost, with faster and more dependable file sharing. These improvements are much welcome by those of us who rely on these features daily, even though it may seem like a small one for the rest.
5. iOS 18.5 is About Performance and Stability
The iOS 18.5 is here to polish up what is already there. Expect better battery efficiency, fewer glitches, and better user experience overall. The beta’s download size is around 1GB for newer devices, so it is a lightweight update.
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Are There Possible Surprise Features In iOS 18?
Some online sources and tech gurus hint that ios 18.5 might include two unannounced features that have not yet been seen in the betas. While details are scarce, there is a possibility that Apple is potentially expanding Apple Intelligence to new regions. We will have to wait for the final release to know for sure. One feature that won’t be in ios 18.5 is the on-device screen awareness for Siri, which was delayed indefinitely.
Devices Expected To Receive iOS 18.5 Update
The iOS 18.5 will roll out to all iPhones that support iOS 18. If your device is running iOS 18.4, you are good to go! Here is the full list of compatible iPhones:
| Apple Device Model |
|---|
| Apple iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max |
| Apple iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max |
| Apple iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max |
| Apple iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max |
| Apple iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, 12 Pro Max |
| Apple iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max |
| Apple iPhone XS, XS Max |
| Apple iPhone XR |
| Apple iPhone SE (2nd gen and later) |
Apple Intelligence features, like Genmoji or Image Playground, are only available on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, and the iPhone 16 series. If you have an older model, you will still get the other ios 18.5 goodies.
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The Apple iPads running iPadOS 18.5 will also get the update, with similar features. Compatible iPads include:
| Apple Device Model |
|---|
| iPad Pro (2018 and later) |
| iPad Air (3rd gen and later) |
| iPad (6th gen and later) |
| iPad mini (5th gen and later) |
Other than ios 18.5 for iPhones, iPadOS 18.5 and Watchos 11.5, the updates are also coming in their products in the form of macos Sequoia 15.5 (for Macs), tvos 18.5, HomePodOS 18.5, and Visionos 2.5 (for Apple TV, HomePod, and Vision Pro, respectively).
Apple iOS 18.5 Vs Apple iOS 18.4
Now that we have most of the details on ios 18.5, let’s compare it with its predecessor, ios 18.4. The differences in release dates, features, and improvements will help you get the best idea of the new update.
| Aspect | iOS 18.4 | iOS 18.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | Released in March 2025 | Expected early to mid-May 2025 |
| Features | – Expanded Apple Intelligence (e.g., Genmoji, Image Playground in more regions) – Improved Siri interactions – Bug fixes for iOS 18.3 issues – Enhanced security patches | Focused on expanding AI features and stabilising iOS 18 platform |
| Notable Improvements | Focused on expanding AI features and stabilizing iOS 18 platform | Emphasis on user interface tweaks (Mail, Settings) and connectivity (CarPlay, AirDrop) |
| Missing Features | No major UI changes; limited to AI and performance | No on-device screen awareness for Siri (delayed indefinitely) |
| Apple Intelligence | Available on iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, iPhone 16 series; expanded to more regions | Same device support; possible regional expansion (unconfirmed) |
| Download Size | Focused on expanding AI features and stabilising the ios 18 platform | 1 GB for newer devices |
| Other Platform Updates | Accompanied by iPadOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, watchOS 11.4, etc. | Includes iPadOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, visionOS 2.5 |
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It is clear from the table that iOS 18.4 was more about expanding Apple Intelligence and fixing bugs from iOS 18.3. The iOS 18.5 brings practical inclusions like mail app customisations, easier AppleCare access, and CarPlay/AirDrop performance and so on. It is supposedly more stable and lightweight.
Key Takeaway
The iOS 18.5 might not steal the spotlight, but it’s a good update to look forward to as an iPhone user.
Lastly, if you are on ios 18.4 or earlier, ios 18.5 is worth upgrading to right now for performance boosts and stabilisation. Plus, you can be more productive at work with the new mail app features, easier AppleCare access and file transfer speed enhancement. There might also be an ios 18.6 before the bigger updates of ios 19. For now, ios 18.5 is the best way to get the user experience.
What do you think about this new update of ios 18.5? Or want to know what is coming in ios 19? Share it in the comments below!
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