Last week, Apple rolled out iOS 18.4 to all users, but there wasn’t a public beta for the iOS 18.5 developer version. However, the new public beta cycle has now begun, with the release of iOS 18.5 public beta 1. Here’s what’s different.
Focus of iOS 18.5: Under-the-hood Changes and Tweaks to Apple Mail
So far, iOS 18.5 doesn’t appear to be a particularly significant update for iPhone users.
While we may see additional changes in upcoming beta versions, only a few minor updates have been noted so far.
The Apple Mail app received a substantial redesign in iOS 18.2, and although there were already options to disable certain aspects of that redesign, iOS 18.5 makes it slightly more convenient to do so.
Users can modify several Mail features through the three-dot menu located in the upper-right corner of the app. This includes options to disable categories, AI prioritized messages, and to change grouping by sender.
However, one notable visual addition—the inclusion of contact photos in the inbox—was previously missing.
Now, there is a new setting in that menu for iOS 18.5: ‘Show Contact Photos.’
Disabling this option allows you to revert your inbox to a more traditional appearance. Up until now, this feature was only accessible through the Settings app.
In addition, iOS 18.5 introduces visual enhancements to the AppleCare & Warranty section in the Settings app, including links to access support on Apple’s website.
Otherwise, the current version of the iOS 18.5 public beta primarily focuses on behind-the-scenes adjustments.
As a result, it may not be worth installing at this stage, as users might run into new bugs and performance issues during this early part of the beta cycle.
Have you installed the iOS 18.5 beta? If so, how is it performing for you? Share your experiences in the comments.
