Apple is gearing up to release iOS 18.5 next week, and with it comes a variety of new features designed to enhance the iPhone experience. While this update might not be as groundbreaking as some previous versions, it offers several key improvements, including enhancements for Apple’s Mail app, new wallpapers, better parental controls, and more. Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect from iOS 18.5.
1. Major Enhancements for Apple’s Mail App
Apple’s Mail app received a significant overhaul with iOS 18.2 last December, but some of the changes didn’t sit well with users. iOS 18.5 aims to refine the experience with two key enhancements.
First, the previously hidden ‘All Mail’ inbox view is now prominently displayed, making it much easier to navigate between different inbox categories and the “All Mail” view. In the past, you had to swipe through to find the ‘All Mail’ section, but now it’s visible on the right edge of the screen for better accessibility.
Second, Apple is giving users more control over contact photos within the inbox. While this feature was introduced with the Messages app, not everyone is a fan of having photos cluttering the Mail app. With iOS 18.5, you can now toggle the contact photo display on or off directly within the app by tapping the three-dot icon in the top-right corner, offering more customization without needing to dig into the Settings app.
2. A New Pride Wallpaper
Apple has long supported Pride Month with special features, and iOS 18.5 continues this tradition with a new Pride wallpaper. This addition adds a vibrant, colorful design to the collection of Pride-themed wallpapers that have been available on iOS in recent years. For those who love to personalize their devices for special occasions, this new option offers an opportunity to show support for the LGBTQ+ community in a fresh way.
3. Screen Time Gets a Boost with Notifications
Apple’s Screen Time tools, which help users manage their device usage and promote a healthier relationship with technology, are getting an upgrade in iOS 18.5. One of the notable changes is an enhancement to parental controls. Now, whenever a parent enters the Screen Time passcode on their child’s device, they will receive a notification. This ensures that parents are kept in the loop if their child bypasses any restrictions or limits, giving them a better ability to manage screen time in a more transparent way.
4. Seamless Apple TV App Purchases on Third-Party Devices
In iOS 18.5, Apple is making it even easier to make purchases through the Apple TV app, which is now available for third-party smart TVs and streaming devices. Previously, buying or renting movies or subscribing to services within the Apple TV app required you to be using an Apple TV 4K. Now, with the introduction of the “Buy with iPhone” feature, you can purchase content using your iPhone to authenticate, making the experience more seamless than ever when using third-party TVs and devices.
This enhancement brings greater flexibility to Apple’s TV platform, providing users with a smoother and more integrated experience regardless of the brand of TV or streaming device they use.
5. Satellite Features for iPhone 13 Models
One of the standout features of iOS 18.5 is that Apple is extending its satellite messaging capabilities to the iPhone 13 series, including the iPhone 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max. Previously, these satellite features were exclusive to the iPhone 14 and newer models, but now users with iPhone 13 devices will be able to access features like Starlink-based satellite connectivity from T-Mobile in areas without cellular coverage.
While some of Apple’s satellite features, such as Emergency SOS via satellite, remain exclusive to newer iPhones due to hardware requirements, this expansion will offer greater connectivity options for iPhone 13 users, especially in remote areas.
iOS 18.5: A Minor Update, But Still Valuable
Overall, iOS 18.5 is a smaller update compared to what we might expect from Apple’s typical mid-cycle releases. However, it’s packed with several valuable improvements that enhance the user experience, particularly for Apple Mail users, families managing Screen Time, and those who want more control over their devices.
While iOS 18.5 brings some great new features, the major focus now is on iOS 19, which will be unveiled next month at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). As Apple shifts its attention to the upcoming iOS 19, users can expect to see more bug fixes and refinements in the remaining iOS 18 updates.
