With the arrival of iOS beta 18.5 3Apple remains faithful to its development schedule, releasing new test versions to polish every detail of its flagship operating system. Expectations are growing among those who closely follow the evolution of iPhone software, as this update, while a continuation of previous versions, incorporates significant nuances that affect both the user experience and the robustness of the entire platform. Although we are not witnessing a revolution, there are some noticeable changes. Incremental tweaks that aim to optimize the usability and reliability of the iOS ecosystem.
iOS 18.5 Highlights
One of the areas where most changes are perceived is in Mail, Apple's popular email appIn this third beta, the possibility of customize your inbox, allowing users to enable or disable contact photos and sender grouping from the app's own menu. This makes it easier to return to a more classic, less cluttered look, especially useful for those who weren't quite comfortable with the redesign introduced in previous versions with Apple Intelligence.
In addition to the more configurable interface, the visual organization of emails in categorized views, such as promotions or spam. The result is faster and more intuitive navigation, tailored to the needs of those who manage large volumes of email on a daily basis.
AppleCare and Warranty This section is also receiving attention. Now, within Settings, this section features a refreshed design, with clear banners and improved iconography that allow direct access to coverage details or requesting technical support with just a tap. This redesign aims to save users time and makes it easier to check the warranty status or seek help in the event of an issue.
In the technical section, one of the less visible but fundamental changes is in the modem firmware updateSpecifically, on models like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, version 1.60.0 is being rolled out, which helps improve connection stability on 5G and Wi-Fi 6E networks. Although these types of adjustments often go unnoticed, they're key to ensuring that calls, downloads, and browsing don't suffer unexpected interruptions or drops.
Bug fixes and improvements under the surface
Beyond the new features, Apple has worked on resolve errors detected in previous weeksFor example, the Recover All and Delete All options have been removed from the Recently Deleted album in Photos, thus preventing accidental mass deletions. Now, if you want to permanently delete images, you'll have to do so one by one, adding an extra layer of security to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
The AirPods Max are also benefiting from this update. Issues affecting lossless playback and ultra-low latency via USB-C have been resolved. This means a more stable and high-fidelity listening experience, especially with services like Apple Music or apps that support advanced audio formats.
Other patches concern internal system components, such as StoreKit (in-app purchases), predictive typing tools, and development elements like the Human View Framework, all of which are essential for a smooth experience for both users and developers.
Known issues and areas for improvement
As is usual in any beta, there are still some minor unresolved bugsIt has been reported, for example, that when you pull down the Notification Center, the animation sometimes isn't entirely smooth, which could be related to background memory management. Likewise, in the Control Center, the mobile data icon may not update instantly when you turn the connection on or off, a minor but annoying detail for those who rely on monitoring their usage.
These minor issues will likely be fixed in upcoming betas or the final release, as the pace of updates and constant community feedback make it easier to quickly debug the system.
Other Betas
As usual, Apple has also released the third Betas of macOS 15.5, watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5 and visionOS 2.5. In these cases the new features are much less noticeable to users, being limited to the improvement of performance and stability of the system, with hardly any new features at a visual or usability level.