A week after Apple introduced iOS 26 during the WWDC keynote, the company is now seeding iOS 18.6 beta 1 to developers. At this moment, it’s unclear what’s new in this update. However, this is likely one of the lightest iOS 18 updates. After all, the iOS 26 beta is already available, and Apple aims to release the new version of its mobile OS this fall.
Historically, iOS x.6 versions don’t bring many improvements, but sometimes new features are released. With iOS 17.6, Apple introduced the following functions:
- Live Activity support in Apple News+ for the Home Screen and Lock Screen, so users could follow sporting events and other stories.
- A new Messages app setting that lets users filter unknown international senders.
Apple could be working on a few new tweaks with iOS 18.6 during this beta cycle. With the previous software update, Apple added these changes:
- Fixed the Contact Photos issue by offering Mail users a new menu that lets them toggle the feature with a simple toggle.
- Apple added a new Pride wallpaper to celebrate the “strength and beauty of LGBTQ+ communities around the world.”
- Parents now receive a notification when the Screen Time passcode is used on a child’s device.
- Buy with iPhone is available when purchasing content within the Apple TV app on a 3rd party device.
- Fixes an issue where the Apple Vision Pro app may display a black screen.
- Support for carrier-provided satellite feature is available on all iPhone 13 models.
With iOS 18.5 already being light on features, it’s only natural that iOS 18.6 will be similar during the beta cycle. In retrospect, iOS 18 featured more cosmetic changes than breakthrough improvements, as Apple Intelligence didn’t have the expected impact.
BGR will let you know if we find anything new in iOS 18.6 beta 1.
