Apple Releases iOS 18.5 Public Beta with Mail App Tweaks and Bug Fixes
Apple launched the third public beta of iOS 18.5, focusing on bug fixes and subtle enhancements, especially in the Mail app. New features include an easier way to toggle contact photos in emails and a visible 'All Mail' category tab. Additionally, a banner option for the Back Tap accessibility feature was introduced. This beta is recommended only for secondary devices as it may impact stability and battery life. The final iOS 18.5 release date remains unannounced, with more updates expected before launch.
Apple released the third public beta of iOS 18.5 on April 29, following the general release of iOS 18.4 about a month earlier. This latest beta primarily focuses on bug fixes and minor feature tweaks rather than major new functionalities. It is intended for developers and public beta testers, with a recommendation to install it on secondary devices due to potential instability and battery impact.
Mail App Enhancements in iOS 18.5 Beta
One of the notable updates in iOS 18.5 beta is the improved Mail app experience. Users can now easily toggle the display of contact photos next to emails directly within the app by tapping the three-dot menu and selecting "Show Contact Photos." This option was previously buried in Settings, making it less accessible.
Additionally, the beta introduces a small tab on the right side of the screen that reveals the "All Mail" category when swiped. This feature helps users view all messages without categorization, combining the benefits of Categories and the traditional List View for easier inbox management.
Back Tap Functionality Gets Visual Feedback
The iOS 18.5 beta also adds an option to display a banner notification when the Back Tap feature is used. Back Tap allows users to perform actions like opening the camera or taking screenshots by tapping the back of their iPhone. Enabling the banner provides immediate visual confirmation of the gesture, enhancing accessibility and user awareness.
To activate this feature, users can navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap and toggle the "Show Banner" option. When enabled, a banner will appear at the top of the screen indicating whether a double or triple tap was detected.
Looking Ahead to iOS 18.5 and Beyond
With Apple's Worldwide Developer Conference scheduled for June, iOS 18.5 is expected to remain a minor update focused on stability and incremental improvements. More beta versions will likely be released before the final public launch, potentially introducing additional features or refinements.
Currently, only users with iPhone 15 Pro, Pro Max, or iPhone 16 models can access Apple Intelligence features included in this beta. Other iPhone users will not have access to these capabilities until further updates.
Developers and testers should monitor upcoming betas closely to understand how these changes affect app behavior and user experience, preparing for the eventual public rollout.
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