Earlier than Apple releases iOS 26 this fall, the corporate will launch iOS 18.6, and the primary public beta of iOS 18.6 simply grew to become out there on June 18. Whereas iOS 26 will convey a serious redesign to iPhones, the most recent 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 apart from your major gadget. As a result of this is not the ultimate model of iOS 18.6, the replace could be buggy, and battery life could also be affected, so it is best to maintain these troubles off your major gadget.
Be aware that the beta isn’t 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 people. Nevertheless, it’ll doubtless be the final important iOS replace the corporate releases earlier than it makes iOS 26 out there 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
In the event you’re a developer or beta tester, do not count on a lot from this beta apart 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 stunning contemplating Apple’s iOS launch schedule over time.
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 essential bug fixes and safety patches, however no new options. Apple really useful 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 subsequent main iOS launch was iOS 17.
Apple is probably going shifting gears and focusing extra on iOS 26. In truth, the corporate has already launched two developer betas of that iOS software program in preparation for its fall launch.
There shall 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’ll launch iOS 18.6, however since iOS 17.6 and iOS 16.6 had 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, here is what it’s worthwhile to find out about iOS 18.5 and iOS 18.4, in addition to our iOS 18 cheat sheet. You may also try what it is best to find out about iOS 26.
Watch this: I am Impressed With iOS 26. Apple Simply Made iPhones Higher
