Apple just released iOS 18.5 for iPhone users with several new features and changes
Apple has officially released iOS 18.5. We walk through Satellite Connectivity, changes to Mail, a new wallpaper, and more!
This update is relatively minor as Apple has shifted its focus to iOS 19, set to release in beta in June. Still, there are a number of new features and updates to highlight for.
The update comes roughly six weeks following the release of iOS 18.4. That update had several other enhancements to Apple Intelligence, CarPlay, and more.
Mail app
The Mail app has two nice tweaks, especially for those that were more comfortable with the legacy version of the app. Apple introduced an updated version of the app with iOS 18.2 that has caused some consternation among users.
First, it’s now more apparent how to access the “all mail” category. Previously, this was available but it wasn’t shown on screen and users had to know to swipe to the left to access it.
Now, the edge of the button is visible. This should ease some of the frustration that users have experienced in trying to learn the new layout.
You can now toggle photos on or off in the Mail app instead of going into Settings
Additionally, Apple has added a new setting toggle in the app itself. If you tap the ellipsis in the top-right corner, you can toggle contact photos on and off.
With the photos off, the app looks more like the legacy version of the Mail app. This setting was available prior, but it was buried inside of the Settings app.
Satellite connectivity for older iPhones
With iOS 18.5, Apple is bringing satellite support to iPhone 13 models. That includes iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
This is specifically for carrier-provided satellite options, such as Starlink support on T-Mobile in the U.S. As more carriers offer satellite support, this utility will expand for these older models.
Carrier-provided satellite support has been added for iPhone 13 models
With satellite support from carriers, users are able to send and receive text messages and sometimes data when outside of the range of typical cellular coverage.
Pride Harmony wallpaper
As Apple is prone to do, it included a new Pride wallpaper ahead of Pride month in June. The new version is called Pride Harmony.
It’s found in the Pride category of the wallpaper picker, accessed from the Lock Screen. Like it’s other versions, it has unique animations and isn’t just a static image.
Pride Harmony is the newest Pride wallpaper from Apple
These animations are what give these wallpapers further value compared to merely downloading images from online.
When your iPhone with an always-on display goes into its inactive state, the colored bands redraw into a new pattern. They also alternate into black and colored bands, making them overall darker.
As you pick up your phone or tap the screen to wake it up, the black bands animate away, filling the screen with color. The bands also have a slight wiggle to them top, rather than being perfectly straight.
Finally, when you swipe up on the Lock Screen, the lines wiggle and move upwards as well. They stay blurred if you have the background blurred, otherwise they’ll just keep moving up with each swipe.
The new Pride Harmony wallpaper is also available on Apple Watch
The Pride Harmony wallpaper is also available on Apple Watch that go its own update with watchOS 11.5. Apple is offering a companion 2025 Pride Apple Watch band too, which has begun shipping and showing up in Apple Stores.
More features, fixes, and updates
Inside of the Settings app, the AppleCare menu has been updated. It has a cleaner layout with a centered callout at the top with the AppleCare logo.
The AppleCare page in Settings was updated
There are no new features for this, but it does look better than before, which is always good. Even if it’s minimal.
For parents, when a ScreenTime passcode is used, they will be alerted. This will solve the problem of a child figuring out a passcode and using it to bypass ScreenTime restrictions.
Then, when making a purchase in the Apple TV app on third-party devices, an iPhone or Apple Watch can be used to authenticate. This includes on TVs with the app built in, streaming boxes, or consoles like the PS5.
Apple says they also implemented several unspecified bug fixes too with this update. In our testing during the beta, this has been a very reliable update.
We haven’t experienced any glaring bugs and it’s been stable and fast. We’ve also experienced no unnecessary battery drain either on our iPhone 16 Pro.
Available now
The iOS 18.5 update is available now, alongside updates to all of Apple’s other platforms as well. For our iPhone 16 Pro, it was almost an 8GB download, though your mileage may very based on your model.
The final release also includes a new build number, more recent than the RC it released to developers. Users can turn off beta updates to redownload the most recent build.
