When iOS 18.5 will arrive for iPhone users this week, there will be no new major features or exciting updates from Apple Intelligence. The update, which comes a month before WWDC 2025, does not make major changes, but rather adds new beautiful features, including new wallpapers and improvements for screen time and Apple TV application.
However, there is a new specific feature that will have a deeper impact on iPhone users. Finally, iOS 18.5 allows the support of satellite functionalities provided by operators on the iPhone 13 models. If you are curious to know what exactly means for users, read the rest because we detail the new features in iOS 18.5.
What’s new in iOS 18.5
According to Apple, iOS 18.5 comes with five notable improvements. One of them is the new Pride Harmony wallpaper available for iPhones and iPads, which is part of Apple’s Pride 2025 collection to mark the LGBTQ + Pride month in June, which also includes new watch faces and an exclusive Apple Watch group.
After the update to iOS 18.5, you will find the new Harmony Pride wallpaper for free available in the display settings. It shows rainbow stripes which change dynamically each time you unlock your iPhone or iPad.
The new wallpaper to celebrate the month of pride will be part of iOS 18.5.
Foundry
For parents, Apple has also added an important feature to filter time, allowing parents to manage the way children use their devices. With the iOS 18.5 update, parents will now receive a notification when their child enters the correct password to bypass screen time restrictions.
Apple also facilitates the purchase or subscription to the content of the Apple TV application on a third -party or Smart TV device. Instead of bustling their password manually, users will have the opportunity to authenticate and confirm the purchase using an iPhone.
In addition, iOS 18.5 corrects a bug that showed a black screen in the new Apple Vision Pro application published with iOS 18.4.
iPhone 13 acquires satellite capacities
But iOS 18.5 has another tip in its round, and it is quite important if you have an iPhone 14. With this update, the owners of the iPhone 13 will have access to the satellite features provided by operators for the first time.
Supporting satellite functionality provided by operators has been added for the first time with iOS 18.3 on the iPhone 14 and later, and it allows users to send SMS via satellite in zones without cell connectivity. Apple offers free satellite service via globalstar for two years with the activation of a new iPhone, allowing users to send SMS to emergency services, request road assistance, a message from friends and family, and share their location, even outside the cell range.
The features of satellite arrive on the iPhone 13 for the first time in iOS 18.5.
Foundry
The carriers also started to offer the service, T-Mobile recently associated with Starlink and Verizon in partnership with AST Spacemobile. Essentially, carriers use a technology called “Direct to Cell”, in which satellites act as cellular towers in space and start when there is no cell signal. T-Mobile says he plans to extend this technology to support data and voice on satellite in the future, while Verizon recently tested his first cell satellite video call.
Here is how to check if you can use satellite features provided by the carrier:
- 1. Open the Settings application
- 2. Press Cellular
- 3. Select your operator or phone number (if you have more than one SIM recorded)
- 4. Search the Satellite Top in the list.
If you do not see the satellite option, your operator probably does not take it in charge. If this option is activated and your iPhone is connected to a satellite via your operator, you will see the “SAT” symbol in the iPhone status bar.
Bonus function: mail improvements
Although it is not listed in the official publication notes of Apple, iOS 18.5 also provides some improvements to the messaging application.
With iOS 18.2, Apple introduced a redesigned version of the mail application with smart categories, which automatically organizes your reception box using Apple Intelligence. However, not everyone seems to have liked the new messaging interface, and some users have chosen to return to the old layout.
You might like the new messaging application a little more with some adjustments in iOS 18.5.
Foundry
To seduce users who do not like the new interface, Apple has introduced two important changes with iOS 18.5.
First, the “All Mail” category is now always visible by default, while users before had to make a scanning gesture to reveal this category. This means that you can always use intelligent categories while seeing all emails at the same time, if you prefer.
Apple also added the option to hide the contact icons, which makes it more like the old interface before iOS 18.2. Just press the three -point button at the top right and deselect the “Show contact photos” option.
You can update your iPhone or iPad to iOS 18.5 going in Settings> General> Software update. It should arrive later in the day or tomorrow.
