iOS 18.5 has just landed on the horizon, following more than a month of beta testing. While it may not be a major update like iOS 18 itself, it still introduces several noteworthy features and improvements that enhance the overall iPhone experience. In this article, I’m going to line up the all-new iOS 18.5 features, performance enhancements, and critical bug fixes. Read on…
1. New Pride Harmony Wallpaper
As part of its 2025 Pride Collection, Apple is rolling out a fresh Pride-themed wallpaper for iPhone and iPad users. The Pride Harmony wallpaper is dynamic, featuring colorful stripes that subtly move and shift depending on how you interact with your device — whether you’re locking, unlocking, or simply moving it around.
This complements Apple’s new Pride Edition Sport Band for Apple Watch, which includes uniquely shaped rainbow stripes.
2. Satellite Connectivity for iPhone 13
A significant change in iOS 18.5 is support for third-party satellite services on the entire iPhone 13 lineup. This means iPhone 13 users can now connect to services like T-Mobile’s Starlink, enabling basic communication such as sending and receiving texts in areas with no cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. It’s important to note, however, that Apple’s native satellite SOS service still remains exclusive to iPhone 14 and later.
3. Screen Time Passcode Alerts for Parents
iOS 18.5 brings a helpful enhancement for parental controls. Parents will now get an immediate notification when their Screen Time passcode is entered successfully on a child’s device. This is especially useful for those who suspect their child may have figured out the code — as it allows them to take action if restrictions are altered or removed.
4. Mail App Improvements
The Mail app receives a couple of usability tweaks:
- You can now disable contact photos directly from within the app by tapping the three-dot menu icon in the top-right corner.
- The “All Mail” option is now easier to spot and access, making navigation more intuitive for those managing multiple mail categories.
5. Enhanced Settings and AppleCare Visibility
In the Settings app > General, Apple has made the AppleCare+ coverage information more visible, so users can easily check their support status. This small change improves user awareness of their device’s protection and service eligibility.
6. Apple TV App Purchase Update
With iOS 18.5, users can now use Buy with iPhone when purchasing content in the Apple TV app on third-party streaming devices. This adds a layer of convenience when making purchases outside of Apple hardware.
7. Bug Fixes and Minor Enhancements
iOS 18.5 also addresses a few bugs and behind-the-scenes issues, including:
- Resolving a problem where the Apple Vision Pro app might show a black screen
- General stability improvements and performance fixes across the system
8. How to Install iOS 18.5 on iPhone and iPad
Once available, you can download and install iOS 18.5 by going to:
- On your iPhone, head over to Settings > General > Software Update.
- Make sure your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and has a sufficient battery charge or is plugged in before starting the update.
Wrapping up…
There you have it! While not a game-changing release, iOS 18.5 packs a set of meaningful refinements that improve usability, parental control, and expand functionality to older devices like the iPhone 13. The new Pride wallpaper and expanded satellite connectivity are standout features worth trying.
