Here Are Apple's Full iOS 18.5 Release Notes

Apple today seeded the release candidate version of iOS 18.5 to developers and public beta testers, giving us a look at the final version of the update that will be provided to the public next week.

iOS 18
With the release candidate, Apple provided release notes, so we have a more complete look at the new features that are included in the update, including those that weren't found during the beta testing period.

The update adds a new wallpaper that matches this year's Pride Apple Watch Band, along with a new parental alert when a child is able to bypass the Screen Time passcode. Apple also added support for carrier-provided satellite services on the iPhone 13, and a feature for using an ‌iPhone‌ to purchase content within the Apple TV app on a third-party device.

This update also includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

  • A new Pride Harmony wallpaper
  • Parents now receive a notification when the Screen Time passcode is used on a child's device
  • Buy with iPhone is available when purchasing content within the Apple TV app on a 3rd party device
  • Fixes an issue where the Apple Vision Pro app may display a black screen
  • Support for carrier-provided satellite features is available on iPhone 13 (all models). For more information visit: https://support.apple.com/122339

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100

Should no bugs be found in the iOS 18.5 release candidate, we expect to see iOS 18.5 released next week alongside iPadOS 18.5 and macOS Sequoia 15.5.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

Popular Stories

airpods pro 3 purple

New, Higher End AirPods Pro Coming This Year

Tuesday January 20, 2026 9:05 am PST by
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest. Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
smaller dynamic island iphone 18 pro Filip Vabrous%CC%8Cek

iPhone 18 Pro Leak: Smaller Dynamic Island, No Top-Left Camera Cutout

Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely. Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
Apple Logo Spotlight

Apple Expected to Unveil Five All-New Products This Year

Wednesday January 21, 2026 10:54 am PST by
In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses. Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product. Smart Home Hub Apple home hub (concept) Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should...
Liquid Glass App Store Feature

App Store and Apple TV Experiencing Outage

Tuesday January 20, 2026 4:36 pm PST by
Apple's App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple TV service are experiencing an outage at the current time, according to Apple's System Status page. Apple says that some users may be experiencing issues with the App Store and iTunes Store. Apple also says some users may be seeing intermittent issues with Apple TV. The Apple TV Channels feature is down too, and users may be unable to access some...
airtag prime day 2

Apple Developing AirTag-Sized AI Pin With Dual Cameras

Wednesday January 21, 2026 12:31 pm PST by
Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27. The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the...

Top Rated Comments

sputnikv Avatar
9 months ago
i can't imagine a set of features with a smaller set of users
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Nermal Avatar
9 months ago
And what about bug fixes? Like a fix for the iMessage text field sometimes going partway off the screen when you add a photo? Or the Close Tab button in Safari intermittently not working? Or Safari's Favourites list sometimes coming up blank? Or...
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
9 months ago
Just give us a stable iOS please. o_O
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lofin Avatar
9 months ago
Listing a new WALLPAPER as a noteworthy change to a new software version is kind of a joke, in my opinion.
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Bustycat Avatar
9 months ago
The new wallpaper is the most important enhancement of iOS 18.5 according to Apple.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dieu Avatar
9 months ago
“The update adds a new wallpaper that matches this year's Pride Apple Watch Band”

Essential update!
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)