Apple has released iOS 18.5 beta 4 to developers, marking another step in refining the iOS 18 series.
This update brings subtle enhancements and bug fixes as Apple prepares for a potential release candidate (RC) soon.
Highlights include updates to the Settings app, hints at new wallpapers, and improved CarPlay functionality, setting the stage for a polished experience ahead of iOS 19's reveal.
Release Information
The iOS 18.5 beta 4 update rolled out on April 28, 2025, available to developers across all iOS 18-compatible devices.
Weighing in at approximately 838.9 MB on devices like the iPhone 16 Pro Max, this build (22F5068a) suggests proximity to a final version, as indicated by the "a" suffix—a sign Apple often uses for near-complete releases.
No modem firmware changes accompany this beta, with the iPhone 16 series retaining version 1.60.02.
Alongside this, Apple also released beta 4 updates for iPadOS 18.5, macOS 15.5, tvOS 18.5, and watchOS 11.5, ensuring a synchronized ecosystem refresh.
Key Updates
Settings App Refinements
The AppleCare and Warranty section now sports a new header and lists full device names (e.g., "iPhone 16 Pro Max" instead of "iPhone 16"), offering clearer warranty details.
Device lists load instantly, resolving prior delays seen in earlier betas.
New Wallpaper Teasers
Code hints at two upcoming wallpapers with vivid descriptions: one featuring "innumerable dark and light dots creating overlapping graphite contoured pockets," and another with "a trio of crystalline bubbles enfolding refractions of light."
(Apple-style wallpapers based on descriptions - Generated by ChatGPT)
These might tie into the annual Pride release or debut as fresh designs, potentially arriving with the RC.
CarPlay Improvements
Connectivity and music playback glitches in CarPlay have been resolved, enhancing reliability for in-car use. Issues like device connection failures and music playback errors, reported in prior betas, are now addressed.
Backend Adjustments
Apple removed the "Live Storage Exclave" feature—previously complete but not up to standard—suggesting it may return in a future release.
Additionally, analytics tweaks for Apple Intelligence focus on generative tools like image creation and writing enhancements, though these remain non-user-facing for now.
Performance and Bug Fixes
Bug Resolutions
Fixes address CarPlay issues, notification scrolling, and Bluetooth long-press functionality.
The wallpaper desaturation glitch persists intermittently but shows signs of improvement, with occasional re-saturation noted during testing.
Performance Gains
Smooth operation is reported across devices, from the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Geekbench scores on the latter hit 3,529 (single-core) and 8,640 (multi-core), reflecting a slight single-core boost over beta 3, though multi-core results are marginally lower.
Battery Stability
Early feedback suggests battery life holds steady, with variability tied to usage and signal conditions.
Notable enhancements, if any, are likely reserved for the RC phase, as background processing post-installation caused temporary warmth in devices.
Editor's Comments
iOS 18.5 beta 4 reflects Apple's methodical approach to perfecting iOS 18 before the iOS 19 spotlight at WWDC on June 9, 2025.
Compared to iOS 18.3's splashier Home app and Siri upgrades, this update leans into subtle polish—think CarPlay fixes and Settings clarity—rather than bold leaps.
The RC is likely next week, May 5, 2025, with a public release around May 12, aligning with Apple's cadence.
These tweaks bolster the iOS ecosystem's reliability, a quiet but critical win for users and developers alike, while hinting at richer visual flair with those teased wallpapers.
As WWDC nears, this stability paves the way for iOS 19's rumored interface overhaul to shine.
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