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    Categories: tech

Before Apple Launches iOS 26 This Fall, Here’s What’s in iOS 18.5

These are every new feature in the iPhone upgrade that you should be aware of.

This autumn, Apple is scheduled to release iOS 26, which will include a new games app, a new liquid glass look, and other features. However, on May 12, Apple released iOS 18.5, which included a new wallpaper, app modifications, and security updates and bug fixes that are now available to all users.

To download iOS 18.5, go to Settings > General > Software Update, choose Update Now, and then follow the on-screen instructions.

Here are the features that iOS 18.5 offers your iPhone. Please note that access to Apple Intelligence is now limited to owners of iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models. You won’t be able to use those functions on any other iPhone. Additionally, you may see what additional iOS 18 upgrades have been added to your iPhone.

Fresh Pride background

Every year before Pride Month, Apple publishes a new Pride wallpaper, and this year is no exception. The most recent version of the wallpaper, Pride Harmony, is available in iOS 18.5 and has striking stripes that move and change position as you walk.

Apple has introduced several improvements to the Mail app in iOS 18.5.

In iOS 18.5, Apple released a several enhancements for the Mail app. One of those upgrades allows you to reveal or hide contact photographs in Mail, which makes it simpler to change the app’s settings. The pictures to the left of emails that aid in sender identification are called contact photographs.

With iOS 18.5, you may disable Contact Posters from within the app, however they will be shown by default in Mail. To do this, launch Mail, choose Show Contact Photos by tapping the three dots (…) in the upper-right corner of your screen. All of your emails will now just display the subject line and a synopsis of the message, much as Mail did before to iOS 18.

Although iOS 18.4 has this option, it’s hidden in Settings and difficult to find.

Categories are the subject of another modification. You may notice a little tab next to the other categories on the right side of your screen if the mode is active. This little tab will enlarge to show the category All Mail if you swipe the categories bar at the top of Mail to the left. All Mail will be automatically chosen when you swipe left to see it; to deselect All Mail, you must hit one of the other Categories.

This category was included in iOS 18.4 and is not new. However, there was no little tab to indicate that it was off-screen on the right side of your screen. As a result, All Mail went unnoticed; it wasn’t until iOS 18.5 test versions that I realized the option existed.

This category seems to be a mechanism to enable List View, Mail’s pre-Categories view, and Categories at the same time. All Mail allows you to read your messages without any kind of classification, similar to List read.

Satellite capabilities for every generation of the iPhone 13

The iPhone 13 range now has several satellite functions, including as texting, according to Apple’s iOS 18.5. This implies that you may still SMS folks to let them know where you are even if you fall off the grid. However, only T-Mobile presently provides these carrier-dependent capabilities in the US via Starlink for iPhone 13 models.

Anyone, even those on other carrier plans, may participate in the free beta of T-Mobile Starlink until July. It will be included in the Go5G Next and T-Mobile Experience Beyond plans after July. The technology will subsequently be available to customers with other providers, such as Verizon and AT&T, for $10 a month.

Banner for Back Tap

Additionally, the iOS 18.5 update adds the ability to use the Back Tap feature to show a banner. When you double- or triple-tap the Apple logo on the back of your iPhone, Back Tap transforms it into a functional button that can be used to snap screenshots, access your camera, and more. Additionally, you may configure iOS 18.5 to have your iPhone show a banner everytime you press the Back Tap.

Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back hit, then hit the Show Banner option to activate the banner. The message “Back Tap Double/Triple Tap detected” will show across the top of your screen if you activate the banner and use Back Tap.

Release notes for iOS 18.5

The complete release notes for iOS 18.5 are available here.

The following improvements and bug fixes are also included in this update:

  • A brand-new Pride Harmony background.
  • When a child’s device uses the Screen Time passcode, parents are now notified.
  • When buying content on a third-party device using the Apple TV app, the option to “buy with iPhone” is accessible.
  • resolves a problem that might cause the Apple Vision Pro app to show a blank screen.
  • All variants of the iPhone 13 support carrier-provided satellite functionality. Go to https://support.apple.com/122339 for further details.

Certain functionalities may not be accessible on all Apple devices or in all locations. Please visit this link for details on the security features of Apple software updates: https://support.apple.com/100100

Disclaimer:

This article is not affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc.
iPhone, iOS, and Apple are trademarks of Apple Inc.
All product names and logos are property of their respective owners.
This content is for informational purposes only.
Always refer to apple.com for official updates.

Mike: Hi, I’m Mike, the author behind Trends.StcInternetPackages.com. With a strong interest in tech, digital trends, and practical how-to solutions, I created this site to help people find the most reliable and up-to-date information on STC internet packages, mobile services, and online tools that matter in everyday life. I’m passionate about simplifying complex topics so that anyone — whether tech-savvy or not — can understand and benefit from them. Whether you're looking for the best data package, network troubleshooting tips, or trending digital solutions, my goal is to guide you with clear, useful, and accurate content. Thanks for visiting the site — I hope you find what you're looking for! Feel free to reach out through the contact page if you have questions, suggestions, or feedback.