Get ready to dive into iOS 18.5, which landed on May 12, 2025, bringing a handful of fun extras and behind-the-scenes tweaks to make everyday iPhone life just a bit sweeter.
For starters, if you’ve got an iPhone 13 (Mini through Pro Max), you can now send text messages over satellite through your carrier—perfect for those times when cell service just isn’t cutting it. You’ll also find your AppleCare+ plan info right at the top of Settings, so you don’t have to go hunting for it.
Under the hood, a few of your go-to apps got some love. Mail now brings back the “All Mail” view, allowing you to see every message in one place. You can also hide contact photos if you prefer a clean, no-frills inbox. Screen Time has grown smarter, too—parents will now get an alert if their child manages to bypass a Screen Time passcode. Throughout the system, you’ll notice small reorganizations in Settings and Control Center, plus security patches that lock down everything from core system code to your web browser.
Movie buffs who’ve cut the cord will appreciate the new “Buy with iPhone” button in the Apple TV app on supported TVs and streaming boxes—no need to pick up your phone just to complete a purchase. Apple also fixed a glitch where the Vision Pro app appeared distorted in headsets and smoothed out performance to keep animations fluid and battery life strong.
Alongside iOS 18.5, Apple also rolled out watchOS 11.5 and macOS Sequoia 15.5, making it easy to update all your Apple devices at once. All told, iOS 18.5 brings practical safety improvements, a splash of flair, smarter family controls, and subtle refinements—proving that even mid-cycle updates can brighten your day.
