When Will iOS 18.5 Be Released?

Apple is testing an iOS 18.5 update with developers and public beta testers, and we've had three betas so far. There aren't any notable changes so far, but the update will still bring important bug fixes and security improvements. So when can we expect it?

iOS 18
Based on historical release timelines for x.5 updates, iOS 18.5 and its sister updates are likely to launch in May. Here's when we saw updates in prior years:

Many of Apple's x.5 updates are released around the middle of the month, so the week of May 12 is a solid guess, though the week of May 19 is also a possibility.

Though we've only had three betas so far, there are so few new features in iOS 18.5 that we probably won't need too many more betas for it to be ready to launch.

Apple's x.5 updates have historically had fewer features than earlier releases, because Apple is often already transitioning much of its new development to the next-generation version of iOS. We're just a couple of months way from when iOS 19 will be introduced at WWDC, so Apple is working to get it ready to go.

iOS 18.5 won't be the last update to iOS 18, and we'll likely see at least one more major point update before iOS 19 rolls out this fall.

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Top Rated Comments

Paddle1 Avatar
11 weeks ago
There's no rush, it's not a very exciting update.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lucca2 Avatar
11 weeks ago
I’m good. I don’t need new emojis
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Joshuaorange Avatar
11 weeks ago
How much worse can it possibly get.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
11 weeks ago

What is the reason that it matters when the release date is?
It matters for the people waiting for the 18.6 betas. ;)
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
It’s always something Avatar
11 weeks ago

There's no rush, it's not a very exciting update.
Unexciting implies more unsexy work like bug fixes, so let’s hope for that.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BatmanAtkinson Avatar
11 weeks ago
Where are the Pride wallpapers?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)