iOS 18.5 Update Focuses on Refinements and Child Safety Features

iOS 18.5: Refinements for the iPhone Experience

Apple is preparing the release of iOS 18.5. The update, currently in beta, focuses on detail improvements and smaller, yet useful, new features for iPhone users compared to the more extensive previous versions.

Pride Month and Enhanced Parental Controls

With iOS 18.5, a new Pride Harmony wallpaper arrives on iPhones, allowing users to visually celebrate Pride Month. In addition, Apple is expanding its parental control features. Parents will now receive a notification when the code to disable Screen Time is entered on their child's device. This allows for better control over usage time and provides additional transparency.

Optimizations for Apple TV, Mail, and Settings

Users of the Apple TV app can look forward to a simplified checkout process. In the future, purchases can be authorized directly via the iPhone, regardless of which device the Apple TV app is used on. The Mail app also receives a small update: Contacts can now be shown or hidden directly in the app, without having to go through Settings. Additionally, the grouping of emails by sender can be deactivated. In Settings, users will find a revised "AppleCare & Warranty" section with more detailed information and a direct link to the Apple website.

Support for Older iPhone Models

iOS 18.5 will be available for a range of iPhone models, including devices that will no longer be supported by the upcoming iOS 19. This includes the iPhone XR and iPhone XS. For these devices, iOS 18.5 is likely to be one of the last major feature updates before they receive only security updates. The release of iOS 18.5 is expected in the week of May 12, 2025.

Comparison to iOS 18.4 and Outlook

In contrast to the rather minor adjustments of iOS 18.5, the previous update, iOS 18.4, brought more extensive innovations, particularly the introduction of Apple Intelligence in Germany and other European countries. This AI package offers features such as intelligent writing tools, live image recognition, and the ability to create AI-generated images.

iOS 18.5 shows that Apple continues to work on optimizing the iPhone experience and providing updates for older devices. Although the new features are less prominent compared to previous versions, they still contribute to improved usability and security. It remains to be seen what further features Apple is planning for future iOS updates.