Apple Seeds iOS 18.6 Release Candidate to Developers and Public Beta Testers

Apple today seeded release candidate versions of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to developers and public beta testers for testing purposes, with the updates coming a week after Apple seeded the third betas. The release candidates mark the final version of the software that will be provided to the public provided no additional bugs are found.

iOS 18
iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

No notable new features have been found in the iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 betas, so it's not clear what might be added in the update, though there are some changes to the App Store in the EU due to the DMA. Rumors suggest that Apple wanted to expand Apple Intelligence to China with iOS 18.6, but regulatory hurdles have delayed the launch.

iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 likely focus on smaller changes and bug fixes, and we'll update this article should anything new be found in the fourth beta.

Apple is winding down work on iOS 18 and is focusing on iOS 26. ‌iOS 26‌ is in beta testing right now and is set to launch in September alongside new iPhone 17 models.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

MacUserFella Avatar
27 weeks ago
WHAT, WHERES IOS 26 BETA 4?!?!
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
27 weeks ago
It would be fun if they released iOS 26 as 18.6 by mistake.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
goonie4life9 Avatar
27 weeks ago
Wooo, it's time to get stoked for the BEST, MOST POWERFUL iOS 18 that Apple has ever released. This is the version that is the closest to Apple's true vision for iOS 18 that Apple has ever released. Apple can't wait to see the incredible things customers are able to do with iOS 18.6!
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roncron Avatar
27 weeks ago
Weirdly, the 18.6 release candidate shows up for me as "iOS 18.6 Beta 4".



Attachment Image
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Sydnxt Avatar
27 weeks ago
Please dont make me wait another week for Beta 4 Apple
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
27 weeks ago
The only listed change is a new Known Issue. ?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)