iOS 18.5: Release Date, Supported iPhones, and 7 Hidden Features You Need to Try

Apple has pushed the iOS 18.5 update live for every compatible iPhone, marking the last significant software release before the company unveils iOS 19 at WWDC in June. The new firmware landed on May 12 and is already available in Settings → General → Software Update on devices from the iPhone XS through the current iPhone 16 lineup. What’s new in iOS 18.5 • Fresh Pride Harmony wallpaper that animates subtly as you unlock your phone, adding to Apple’s annual Pride collection. • Mail app refinements: a quick in-app switch to hide contact photos and an easier-to-find “All Mail” tab, addressing feedback from last year’s major redesign. • Settings now surfaces AppleCare coverage in a dedicated panel, so warranty details sit one tap away. • Parents get instant alerts when a Screen Time passcode is used on a child’s device, improving digital-wellbeing oversight. • “Buy with iPhone” extends to purchases inside the Apple TV app on third-party hardware, streamlining checkout. • Carrier-enabled satellite features debut for the entire iPhone 13 family, boosting off-grid connectivity. Security and stability Apple’s official security notes list more than 40 CVE-tagged fixes across CoreBluetooth, WebKit, Kernel and other system frameworks, patching vulnerabilities that could allow privilege escalation, data leakage or remote code execution. If you skipped iOS 18.4.1, installing 18.5 rolls all prior patches into one download. Why you should update now • Closes high-risk exploits before attackers begin widespread scanning. • Resolves Mail, FaceTime and Vision Pro glitches reported in 18.4. • Prepares your iPhone for the iOS 19 developer beta profile, expected in early June. Compatible devices iPhone XS / XR and newer, including every model in the iPhone 13, 14, 15 and 16 series, plus the 2nd- and 3rd-generation iPhone SE. How to download iOS 18.5 1. Connect to Wi-Fi and plug into power. 2. Navigate to Settings → General → Software Update. 3. Tap “Download and Install.” The build is about 1.5 GB, so allow 15–30 minutes. Bottom line iOS 18.5 may be a point release, but its mix of fresh wallpaper, Mail quality-of-life tweaks, satellite support and critical security patches makes it a must-install for anyone invested in a smooth, secure iPhone experience today—and a hassle-free jump to iOS 19 tomorrow.