iOS 18.5 Beta 5 Released as Apple Prepares for Final Public Version

Apple has seeded iOS 18.5 beta 5 to developers and public beta testers, signaling that the final version is right around the corner. With the official release expected in mid-May, this update doesn’t bring major new features, but continues refining the experience ahead of the upcoming iOS 19 preview at WWDC.

One of the most welcomed updates in the iOS 18.5 beta cycle has been the fix for the Mail app’s controversial Contact Photos feature. With beta 5, Apple maintains the new toggle directly inside the Mail app’s menu, allowing users to easily disable contact images without digging through the Settings app—a much-needed quality-of-life improvement.

In addition, Apple is continuing to polish the AppleCare section in the Settings app. A new banner displaying AppleCare status, complete with an official logo and support information, is now more prominent. This change should make it easier for users to manage their coverage at a glance.

iOS 18.5 beta 5 also includes system references to the upcoming Pride Month wallpaper, expected to launch in May. Apple typically updates its lineup of Pride-themed content each year to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and 2025 looks to be no exception.

Notably missing from this update is the highly anticipated screen-aware Siri upgrade, which was once rumored to arrive in 18.5. Unfortunately, this Apple Intelligence feature has now been delayed indefinitely. Without it, iOS 18.5 is more of a refinement release than a showcase for new AI enhancements.

Recent updates to iOS 18 brought a few Apple Intelligence improvements, including:

• Expanded language support: New additions include Japanese, Korean, Brazilian Portuguese, and localized English options for India and Singapore.

• Image Playground: The Sketch style now joins Animation and Illustration, giving users more ways to personalize images.

• Genmoji enhancements: The Genmoji keyboard icon has been updated to clearly label the feature.

• Visual Intelligence: Users with iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16e can now assign Visual Intelligence shortcuts to the Action Button.

We’re likely just weeks away from iOS 18.5’s public release—and with WWDC fast approaching, Apple is clearly laying the groundwork for what’s coming next.