Apple Seeds Third Beta of iOS 18.6 to Developers

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 updates to developers for testing purposes, with the updates coming two weeks after Apple seeded the second betas.

iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 can be downloaded from the Settings app on a compatible device by going to General > Software Update.

No notable new features were found in the first two iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 betas, so it's not clear what might be added in the update, though there are some changes to the App Store in the EU due to the DMA. Rumors suggest that Apple wanted to expand Apple Intelligence to China with iOS 18.6, but regulatory hurdles have delayed the launch.

iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 likely focus on smaller changes and bug fixes, and we'll update this article should anything new be found in the third beta.

Apple is winding down work on iOS 18 and is focusing on iOS 26. iOS 26 is in beta testing right now and is set to launch in September alongside new iPhone 17 models.

Article Link: Apple Seeds Third Beta of iOS 18.6 to Developers

 

[theworker11223]

What a joke, they are not going to release the software to the public anytime soon?

 

[dchronus]

This is not iOS 26 Public Beta 😿 lol

 

[mango316]

It’s a bit late than usual (it usually gets released by 10:15 PST), but better late than never! Let’s go!

 

[SactoGuy18]

You mean Beta 4.

 

[wonderings]

What a joke, they are not going to release the software to the public anytime soon?

what is a joke? This is how updates work, especially major OS ones. They are going to release it the same as they do every year.

 

[roncron]

Build number 22G5073b

Quick download, 5-6 minutes preparing, 3-4 minutes to install.

(iPhone 15 Pro Max)

 

[jbachandouris]

Not showing for me yet. Last one gave me CarPlay troubles.

UPDATE: Don’t mind me. Was looking for beta 26.

 

[Dog Bone Malone]

Not showing in UK yet!

 

[JonneyGee]

This is not iOS 26 Public Beta 😿 lol

This is what I expected too. Usually PB1 is DB3 and comes a week later, so I had been hoping it would drop today. Maybe next Monday?

 

[omarjanak]

I want iOS 26 Public Beta... I was hoping I would see that this week. Now I don't think it will be this week.

 

[macos9rules]

I want iOS 26 Public Beta... I was hoping I would see that this week. Now I don't think it will be this week.

This news was for the iOS 18.6 beta 3. If you’re looking to download the iOS 26 beta, simply create an Apple developer account. No need to pay, and you’ll be able to install it on your devices.

 

[Vistaus]

This news was for the iOS 18.6 beta 3. If you’re looking to download the iOS 26 beta, simply create an Apple developer account. No need to pay, and you’ll be able to install it on your devices.

He specifially said *public* beta.

 

[Cristim74]

He specifially said *public* beta.

What's the difference? It's not like the public betas will be different builds than the developer betas.

 

[ThomasPicard]

Not showing for my iPad Pro in Austria...

 

[Vistaus]

What's the difference? It's not like the public betas will be different builds than the developer betas.

Then why don't they release the public beta already? If there are no changes to the developer betas, there's no reason to hold them back.

 

[GoofyCyborg]

Who cares? It’s been two weeks, so what’s another 24 hours?

 

[SKeijmel]

Is the public beta of this out too ?

 

[Martincool22]

You mean Beta 4.

No beta 3 was released today beta 2 was released last week.

 

[onerob]

Can they please fix lock screen notifications disappearing off the bottom of the screen before they've been seen (regardless of settings)?

 

[sbailey4]

Then why don't they release the public beta already? If there are no changes to the developer betas, there's no reason to hold them back.

Maybe because its not ready for the public beta channel? And Apple releases it in their specific channels when they are ready not when folks want them to.

 

[Astuces iOS]

Who was expecting iOS 26 public beta lol? 😁

 

[petitpiton]

PB is now available too.