One of the standout changes in iOS 18.5 Beta 1 is a new option in the Mail app that lets users revert to a pre-iOS 18 layout. By tapping the three-dot menu in the upper-right corner, you can now toggle “Contact Photos” and “Group By Sender” on or off directly from the app’s interface. These settings were previously tucked away in the Settings app under iOS 18.4, requiring extra steps to adjust. The shift makes it easier for users who prefer the simpler, less cluttered look of the older Mail design to customize their experience on the fly. It’s a small but welcome nod to user feedback, signaling Apple’s intent to refine rather than reinvent at this stage.
AppleCare Gets a Visual Boost
In the Settings app, the “AppleCare & Warranty” section now features a fresh banner sporting the AppleCare logo and a link to learn more about coverage options. This tweak doesn’t alter functionality but enhances visibility, making it easier for users to check their device’s warranty status or explore extended protection plans. It’s a subtle change that aligns with Apple’s focus on user-friendly design, especially for those less familiar with navigating iOS settings.
Back Tap Accessibility Gains a Notification
For users relying on the Back Tap accessibility feature—where double or triple taps on the iPhone’s back trigger actions—iOS 18.5 Beta 1 adds a new notification banner. When you perform a Back Tap, a brief alert now confirms the action, providing immediate feedback. This addition could prove particularly useful for those with visual or motor impairments, ensuring they know the command registered without guesswork.
Photos App Cleanup
The Photos app sees a minor but practical update: images in the “Recently Deleted” album now display their deletion date rather than the original capture date. This change makes it simpler to track how long a photo has left before it’s permanently erased (typically 30 days). It’s a quality-of-life improvement that keeps the app intuitive, especially for users managing large photo libraries.
Under-the-Hood Fixes
Beyond the visible tweaks, iOS 18.5 Beta 1 addresses a couple of lingering bugs. The Vision Pro app, which launched with iOS 18.4, no longer opens to a black screen when downloaded from the App Store—a fix that Vision Pro owners will appreciate. Additionally, Apple has ironed out unspecified “various bugs” in the Writing Tools feature, part of its Apple Intelligence suite. While details on these fixes remain sparse, the focus on stability hints at a broader effort to polish existing features rather than roll out new ones.
What’s Next for iOS 18.5?
With iOS 18’s lifecycle nearing its end—iOS 19 is expected to be unveiled at WWDC in June 2025—this update feels like a bridge to the next big thing. The absence of major Apple Intelligence enhancements, such as the long-awaited Siri upgrades, suggests those might be held for iOS 18.5’s later betas or deferred to iOS 19 entirely. For now, Apple seems content to fine-tune the user experience, responding to feedback and smoothing out rough edges.
The first beta is available to developers via the Settings app under General > Software Update, with a public beta likely to follow soon. As more testers dig into the build, additional changes may surface—stay tuned for updates as the beta cycle progresses. iOS 18.5 is shaping up to be a modest but meaningful step forward, prioritizing practicality over flash.
