What’s New in iOS 18.5 — Minor Tweaks, Better Usability
This update focuses on small improvements that refine the iPhone experience and ensure more stability across the system.
iOS 18.5 arrives as a more modest update within the iOS 18 cycle, yet it still offers small improvements that contribute to system stability and usability.
Unlike the previous update, which introduced more significant changes such as Apple Intelligence in Brazilian Portuguese, this version focuses on minor interface improvements and system tweaks.
What’s new in the Mail app
One of the main changes is a new option in the Mail app, which now allows users to enable or disable contact photos directly within the app, without needing to open the Settings.
This feature existed in previous versions of iOS 18, but required navigating through more complex menus — something Apple decided to simplify in this new release.
Another practical change involves how emails are displayed: it is now also possible to quickly toggle the “Organize by Sender” option directly from the main Mail interface.
Changes in Settings
In addition to updates in Mail, the Settings app also received a subtle visual tweak in the AppleCare & Warranty section.
A new header now offers additional information about Apple support services, including a direct link to the company’s official website.
This update aligns with Apple’s goal of making its settings more transparent and user-friendly — a direction already observed since the launch of iOS 18 and macOS Sequoia.
No big surprises
Despite these improvements, iOS 18.5 does not bring major new features, indicating that Apple’s aim is to further polish the user experience ahead of future updates.
iOS 18.5 is currently available only to registered developers, and it is expected to roll out to the general public in the coming weeks.
Based on past releases, we could expect the final version to arrive in the second half of May.
- iOS 15.5: May 16, 2022
- iOS 16.5: May 18, 2023
- iOS 17.5: May 15, 2024