All eyes may be locked on iOS 19 and what Apple has in store for WWDC 2025, but something slipped under the radar. iOS 18.5 Beta just landed, and while it’s not flashy, it hides a few clever upgrades that could quietly change the way things work.
Curious what made the cut? Let’s take a look, minus the hype.
Apple has finally cut down the clicks.
Using the Mail app frequently? A three-dot icon now appears in the upper right corner. Tap it to find two useful toggles.
Contact Photos – Easily turn them on or off.
Group by Sender – Disable it without diving into the deep end of the Settings menu.
These features were already there in iOS 18.4, but buried. Now, they’re right where they should be, easy to reach, easy to use.
Managing AppleCare plans just got simpler.
Head to Settings > General > AppleCare & Warranty. A new banner with the AppleCare logo now appears, clean, visible, and offering direct access to:
Coverage details
A quick link to learn more
A new Manage Plan option for those on a recurring AppleCare subscription.
Coverage can also be checked by simply tapping on a device listed in the Apple ID. No more hunting around.
No update is complete without ironing out a few creases, and iOS 18.5 Beta handles some of the small but nagging ones:
The Apple Vision Pro app, which was showing a black screen when downloaded from the App Store in earlier betas, now works as it should.
Writing tools and StoreKit issues have been addressed as well, offering smoother performance across the board.
This might not sound exciting, but for those who work or play heavily on their iPhones, fewer glitches mean more peace.
This update doesn’t bring a design overhaul or flashy features, and that’s intentional. Apple’s holding back the big reveals for iOS 19 at WWDC in June. iOS 18.5 is all about stability, usability, and small wins that make everyday interactions better.
Expecting surprises? Hold on for iOS 19. But for those who appreciate when tech just works better, smoother, and simpler, iOS 18.5 Beta is quietly impressive.
Sometimes, it’s the little things that keep the experience sharp. Keep an eye out, the public release should hit in May, right on track with Apple’s usual timeline.
The update is here, not flashy but rock solid. And that is something iPhone users tend to appreciate.