What’s New in iOS 185? Apple’s Latest Update Brings Exciting Features

Apple is gearing up to release its next iPhone update: iOS 18.5, which is expected to roll out next week. While this update is relatively smaller compared to previous major releases, it introduces several new features and improvements. These changes promise to enhance user experience across different aspects of the iPhone and iOS ecosystem. Let’s take a closer look at what iOS 18.5 will bring to your iPhone.

iOS 18.5 introduces a series of enhancements that Apple users will appreciate, from the Mail app to parental controls and satellite features. Among the highlights, we see Apple improving its Mail app with better functionality, adding a colorful new Pride wallpaper, improving parental controls with Screen Time notifications, enhancing the Apple TV app, and expanding satellite features to older devices like the iPhone 13. Let’s dive into these changes.

1. Enhancements to the Mail App

Back in December with the iOS 18.2 update, Apple redesigned its Mail app, which was met with mixed reactions. While the redesign had its merits, there were complaints about the new inbox organization and hidden features. iOS 18.5 addresses these concerns with two key improvements. The first one makes the ‘All Mail’ inbox view more accessible. Previously, you had to swipe to find this view, but now it’s visible on the right edge of the screen, making it easier to navigate between categories.

The second update concerns contact photos in the inbox. While some users liked this feature, others didn’t. With iOS 18.5, you can now toggle contact photos on or off directly from the app by tapping a three-dot icon at the top-right corner, offering more control than the previous method in the Settings app.

2. New Pride Wallpaper

Apple has made it a tradition to release new wallpapers for special occasions. For Pride 2025, iOS 18.5 introduces a fresh new Pride wallpaper, featuring a vibrant, colorful design. This new addition joins the collection of Pride-themed wallpapers introduced in previous years, ensuring users can celebrate Pride in style, no matter when they update.

3. Screen Time Notifications for Parents

One of iOS’s most useful features, Screen Time, helps users manage their device usage. It also includes powerful parental controls, which are getting an important update in iOS 18.5. Parents will now be notified whenever their child enters the Screen Time passcode on their device. This provides an extra layer of security and ensures that kids can’t bypass the usage limits set by their parents without their knowledge.

4. Streamlined Apple TV App Purchases

iOS 18.5 extends an important feature that was previously exclusive to tvOS devices, like the Apple TV 4K, to third-party TVs and streaming devices. The “Buy with iPhone” feature now allows users to purchase content within the Apple TV app using their iPhone to authenticate. This makes it easier than ever to subscribe to services or rent/buy movies on third-party devices, improving the overall experience for non-Apple TV owners.

5. Satellite Features Come to iPhone 13

One of the standout features introduced in newer iPhones was satellite connectivity. With iOS 18.5, Apple is expanding this feature to the iPhone 13 lineup. Previously, satellite connectivity was exclusive to the iPhone 14 and later models. Now, iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max users will be able to access satellite features such as T-Mobile’s Starlink-based connectivity for areas with no network coverage. However, some features like Emergency SOS via satellite will still be exclusive to newer iPhones due to hardware limitations.

What Undercode Says:

iOS 18.5 is an interesting update. While it may not pack the punch of a full, feature-packed release, it does add some thoughtful improvements that users have been asking for. For example, the Mail app improvements show that Apple is listening to feedback from its users and working on making the experience more intuitive. The addition of an easily accessible ‘All Mail’ inbox is a much-needed tweak, allowing for smoother transitions between different categories in the inbox.

The update also shows Apple’s continued commitment to inclusivity with the addition of a new Pride wallpaper. This small touch contributes to a growing trend of making iOS more personalized and aligned with current cultural movements, something Apple has done quite successfully in recent years.

On the parental control front, the new Screen Time notifications will provide peace of mind for many parents. The ability to receive notifications when the Screen Time passcode is used makes it harder for kids to bypass restrictions without their parents’ knowledge. This is an important step in maintaining a healthy relationship between children and technology.

The Apple TV app improvements are another win, as they make the experience more seamless for those who don’t own an Apple TV device. By extending features like ‘Buy with iPhone’ to third-party TVs, Apple is giving users more flexibility when accessing their content. This is especially useful for those who prefer streaming through smart TVs from other manufacturers.

Expanding satellite connectivity to the iPhone 13 is a huge bonus, particularly for those in areas with limited network coverage. This move indicates that Apple is committed to ensuring a reliable connection for all its users, even when traditional networks fail. Although certain features remain exclusive to newer models, this is a smart way to ensure that older iPhones still benefit from some of the latest technological advancements.

While iOS 18.5 may not be a game-changing release, it does show Apple’s ability to enhance user experience through thoughtful, incremental updates. With WWDC just around the corner, this minor update serves as a preview of the exciting features coming in iOS 19.

Fact Checker Results:

Apple’s iOS 18.5 update is a smaller, incremental update compared to major releases.
The inclusion of satellite features for iPhone 13 models aligns with Apple’s broader commitment to accessibility.
The improvements to the Mail app and Screen Time notifications demonstrate Apple’s responsiveness to user feedback.

Prediction:

With iOS 18.5 acting as a bridge between the current iOS cycle and the upcoming iOS 19, we can expect Apple to continue refining existing features while preparing for more substantial innovations in the next major release. As more advanced technologies like AR and AI continue to evolve, iOS 19 may include groundbreaking features designed to integrate these innovations seamlessly into the iPhone ecosystem. Expect bigger changes and even more personalized experiences in the coming months.