What’s New in iOS 18.5: Small Update, Smart Changes

iOS 18.5 is right around the corner. The release candidate (RC) was pushed out last week, and all signs point to a public release landing sometime this week — possibly as early as Monday. While this update won’t dramatically change how you use your iPhone, it brings a handful of thoughtful quality-of-life improvements that make daily interactions just a bit better. These subtle, in-between updates are what help keep iOS polished and running smoothly between major version updates.

Whether you’re into device personalization, family controls, or just enjoy new convenience features, iOS 18.5 has something subtle but useful to offer. Here’s a full look at what’s coming and why you might actually care.

1. Pride Harmony Wallpaper

To celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community, Apple is adding a new “Pride Harmony” wallpaper as part of this update. It’s bright, fluid, and designed to complement this year’s matching Apple Watch band. The animation shifts as you interact with your device, creating a lively, personalized background experience.

Apple has made a tradition of these Pride-themed releases, and while a new wallpaper might seem minor, for many users, it’s a meaningful gesture of inclusion. It’s also just a beautifully designed option if you want to refresh your lock screen with something fresh and vibrant.

2. Smarter Screen Time Notifications

Parents will appreciate this one. With iOS 18.5, you’ll now get a notification when the Screen Time passcode is entered on your child’s device. That seemingly small change adds a valuable layer of transparency and accountability for families trying to manage healthy device habits.

This means no more silent bypassing of time limits when you’re not looking. If your kid tries to sneak in a little extra YouTube or Roblox, you’ll know about it. It’s a quiet but meaningful upgrade for parental control tools that have sometimes felt a step behind.

3. Buy With iPhone in the Apple TV App

This new feature is all about convenience. You can now use your iPhone to make purchases inside the Apple TV app — even when you’re watching on a third-party device like a smart TV or streaming stick. It’s a frictionless way to rent or buy shows and movies, without needing to fumble through a clunky on-screen interface.

If you’ve ever tried buying something through a smart TV remote, you know how annoying it can be. With this update, your iPhone becomes the payment tool, streamlining the process and making Apple’s ecosystem that much more useful across different platforms.

4. Satellite Support Comes to iPhone 13

Here’s a welcome addition for anyone still rocking an iPhone 13. iOS 18.5 enables satellite connectivity features on all iPhone 13 models, expanding support that was previously limited to newer devices. This is a big deal if you ever find yourself in areas with poor or no cellular coverage.

Satellite support allows for Emergency SOS, location sharing via Find My, and basic messaging capabilities even without cellular coverage and basic location-based services even when you’re completely off the grid. It’s not something you’ll use every day — hopefully — but knowing it’s there adds an extra layer of peace of mind, especially for hikers, travelers, or anyone who lives far from city centers.

5. Bug Fixes and Stability Tweaks

No update would be complete without some behind-the-scenes polishing. iOS 18.5 addresses several bugs, including an issue that caused the Apple Vision Pro app to randomly display a black screen. Other under-the-hood improvements should make system performance a little smoother overall.

While you may not notice these changes immediately, fewer crashes and snappier responses are always appreciated. It’s part of what makes iOS feel so stable, even during smaller updates like this.

Should You Update?

Yes, without hesitation. Even if none of the new features jump out at you, iOS 18.5 is a tight, focused update that subtly improves the iPhone experience across the board. If you’re a parent, it gives you more visibility. Still on an iPhone 13? It literally makes your phone more capable. If you buy content on Apple TV, your workflow just got smoother.

And for those of us who simply like having the latest and most stable version of iOS, this is a no-brainer. Updates like 18.5 aren’t flashy, but they’re essential — laying the groundwork for the bigger features that come with major annual releases.

Keep your eye on Software Update — the public rollout is just about here. Install it as soon as it becomes available, and you’ll be ready for whatever iOS 19 brings later this year.

Tony Simons

Tony has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix and over 11 years of writing experience between multiple publications in the tech, photography, lifestyle, and deal industries.