Apple Seeds Sixth Betas of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 to Developers [Update: Public Beta Available]

Apple today seeded the sixth betas of upcoming iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the software coming a week after the release of the fifth betas.

Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock
Registered developers are able to opt into the betas by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the ‌‌iOS 18‌/‌iPadOS 18‌‌ Developer Beta setting. Note that an Apple ID associated with a developer account is required to download and install the beta. The ‌iOS 18‌ and ‌iPadOS 18‌ beta track is now separate from the iOS 18.1 and iPadOS 18.1 beta track, with the .1 betas adding support for Apple Intelligence on devices that are able to run the features.

‌iOS 18‌ introduces ‌Apple Intelligence‌, a set of AI features that are built deeply into the operating system. ‌Apple Intelligence‌ won't be coming until later in the beta testing process, but it includes features for refining and editing writing, generating images and emoji, and most notably, improving Siri and search. ‌Siri‌ is gaining a better understanding of natural language, improved contextual awareness, and the personal assistant will integrate with ChatGPT to answer more complex queries.

‌Apple Intelligence‌ features are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro models and iPads with an M-series chip, but there are a number of other features that are coming. Apple is allowing users to rearrange Home screen apps to have open spaces, plus there's a dark mode for app icons and tinting options.

The Control Center is customizable and third-party developers can add controls for their apps, with the Lock Screen Flashlight and Camera icons able to be replaced or removed. Messages is gaining Rich Communication Services support to improve conversations with Android users, the option to schedule texts to be sent later, new text effects, messages over satellite when there's no cellular, and the option to use any emoji for Tapback responses.

There's a dedicated Passwords app for logins, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes, and there's now an option to lock and hide apps, which means they can't be opened without secondary Face ID or Touch ID authentication even when your phone is unlocked.

Safari has a highlights feature that summarizes articles and surfaces key information on websites, the Photos app interface has been overhauled, and there's a new Tap to Cash feature for privately and securely transferring money using Apple Cash. Other features include equation solving and voice memo transcription in Notes, a game mode for improving game performance, and an option to respond to ‌Siri‌ on AirPods with head gestures.

Apple will release ‌iOS 18‌ and ‌iPadOS 18‌ to the public this fall.

Related Roundups: iOS 18, iPadOS 18
Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

sniffies Avatar
8 months ago
Make Mondays great again
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
sniffies Avatar
8 months ago
Photos app:

• All customizations are reset in beta 6

• Search icon and Select icon have switched places

• When Grid is out of view, Select icon disappears and Search icon becomes wider


Phone app:

• In Recents list, tapping on contact name calls the contact. In previous betas, there was a dedicated call button and tapping on contact name opened the contact card. Ugh, I wish they didn't change this behavior.


Safari app:

• In tab overview, single tabs are now center-aligned, not left-aligned. I do wish newest tabs were at the bottom though, not top.







Calendar app:

• Compact icon has been tweaked a little (kinda ugly now)



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Attachment Image
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr. Awesome Avatar
8 months ago

In Phone app's Recents list, tapping on contact name calls the contact. In previous betas, there was a dedicated call button and tapping on contact name opened contact card. I prefer it this way actually.
This is disappointing. The new UI was so much better for preventing accidental redials when hanging up.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ypl Avatar
8 months ago

Make Mondays great again
You forgot to mention the problem of synchronization of Mail's badges between macOS and iOS.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kalafalas Avatar
8 months ago

In Safari in tab overview, single tabs are now center-aligned, not left-aligned:






All Photos app customizations are reset in beta 6.

In Photos app, Search icon and Select icon switched places.

In Photos app, when Grid is out of view, Select icon disappears and Search icon becomes wider.
HOLY CRAP THEY FINALLY DID IT
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SKeijmel Avatar
8 months ago

Any word on public beta?
Tomorrow. Tim just told me
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)