Earlier than Apple releases iOS 26 this fall, the corporate will launch iOS 18.6. The corporate launched the primary public beta of that software program on June 18, nevertheless it did not change a lot on the iPhones of builders and beta testers. Whereas iOS 26 will carry a significant redesign to iPhones, the newest beta is full of bug and safety fixes, so builders and beta testers should not count on new options.
Learn extra: iOS 26 Lastly Lets Us Get Rid of the Abomination That Is the 9-Minute Snooze
Since it is a beta, I like to recommend downloading it on one thing aside from your major machine. As a result of this is not the ultimate model of iOS 18.6, the replace is perhaps buggy, and battery life could also be affected, so it is best to maintain these troubles off your major machine.
Word that the beta will not be the ultimate model of iOS 18.6, so extra options might land in your iPhone when it’s launched. It is unclear when Apple will launch iOS 18.6 to most of the people. Nonetheless, it’s going to seemingly be the final vital iOS replace the corporate releases earlier than it makes iOS 26 accessible this fall.
Here is what to anticipate from iOS 18.6 when it lands in your iPhone.
This beta is all about safety patches and squashing bugs
For those who’re a developer or beta tester, do not count on a lot from this beta aside from bug and safety fixes. After downloading and searching into iOS 18.6 beta 1, I discovered no new options or noticeable adjustments. And that is not shocking contemplating Apple’s iOS launch schedule through the years.
Apple introduced iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 and launched iOS 17.6 greater than a month later in July. That replace was full of greater than 30 vital bug fixes and safety patches, however no new options. Apple really helpful that everybody obtain the replace on the time, and it was the final main iOS 17 replace earlier than the discharge of iOS 18.
Apple did the identical factor in July 2023 when it launched iOS 16.6. When the tech large launched that replace, it was targeted on bug fixes and safety patches; the following main iOS launch was iOS 17.
Apple is probably going shifting gears and focusing extra on iOS 26. The truth is, the corporate has already launched two developer betas of that iOS software program in preparation for its fall launch.
There can be extra betas earlier than iOS 18.6 is launched to the general public, so there’s loads of time for Apple so as to add options or change others — however I would not depend on new options. Apple has not introduced when it’s going to launch iOS 18.6, however since iOS 17.6 and iOS 16.6 have been each launched in July of 2024 and 2023, respectively, I count on Apple to launch iOS 18.6 subsequent month.
For extra on iOS 18, this is what that you must learn about iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4, in addition to our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You may also try what you must learn about iOS 26.
Watch this: The Small however Mighty Options of iOS 26
