iOS 18 Speculation Thread

[gank41]

I think we may see iOS 18.6b1 today or tomorrow. It would most likely be nearly identical to 18.5 (or 18.5.1 if there is such a thing?) and be more of a placeholder for testing any potential bug fixes or changes needed, and they're going to want to do a 'this week testing iOS 18 / this week testing iOS 19' thing, too.

 

[Populus]

Maybe we see 18.5.1 with bug fixes? Either today or tomorrow. I don’t think we’ll see 18.6 beta until past the WWDC 25

 

[iSuzan]

Due to the duration ratio of the IOS this covers 2025-2026 that's why IOS26, so the versions will go with the years, this will be done in all OS.

No, it is not done in all OS. I know it different from my Ubuntu days (a while ago).
Versions where named year.month and there were 2 releases a year (April and October as far as I remember), so for 2025 its 25.4 and 25.10. And I really like that naming convention.

But yes, I can understand why they choose the other way. It makes sense, it is just I would like it better the other way. But who cares really... 😅

 

[iSuzan]

It seems, there is no new version to complain about today.

 

[dannyyankou]

I’m pretty sure that Apple intended to release the first 18.6 beta by now, but the government intervened regarding the China AI deal. We’ll see.

So it seems like it is related to this. Oh well.

On to iOS 26!

 

[Paddle1]

Let me take a moment to be on-topic. With the article that came out today it's possible we could be waiting quite a while for 18.6. Likely 18.5.1 and iOS 26 beta is what we can expect unless 18.6 has other functionality that Apple wants to get out soon.

iOS 18.6 Apple Intelligence Launch in China Delayed by U.S.-China Trade Tensions

Apple's efforts to bring Apple Intelligence to the critical Chinese market have been stymied by tension resulting from the tariffs that U.S....

www.macrumors.com

 

[Kal Madda]

Let me take a moment to be on-topic. With the article that came out today it's possible we could be waiting quite a while for 18.6. Likely 18.5.1 and iOS 26 beta is what we can expect unless 18.6 has other functionality that Apple wants to get out soon.

iOS 18.6 Apple Intelligence Launch in China Delayed by U.S.-China Trade Tensions

Apple's efforts to bring Apple Intelligence to the critical Chinese market have been stymied by tension resulting from the tariffs that U.S....

www.macrumors.com

I think you’re probably right, I wouldn’t expect anything at this point before WWDC25. Maybe we’ll be surprised by an 18.6 beta next week though. 👍🏻

 

[Artemiz]

Let me take a moment to be on-topic. With the article that came out today it's possible we could be waiting quite a while for 18.6. Likely 18.5.1 and iOS 26 beta is what we can expect unless 18.6 has other functionality that Apple wants to get out soon.

iOS 18.6 Apple Intelligence Launch in China Delayed by U.S.-China Trade Tensions

Apple's efforts to bring Apple Intelligence to the critical Chinese market have been stymied by tension resulting from the tariffs that U.S....

www.macrumors.com

I was really counting on 18.5.1 this week.

 

[gtmead09]

Today is the last chance to get something beta or update prior to WWDC. I for one would NOT put any money on us getting a update today

 

[yukari]

Looks like the next beta maybe iOS26?

 

[Kal Madda]

We’ll see if anything drops today, I’m guessing we’ll see the next beta next week. 👍🏻

 

[Realityck]

We’ll see if anything drops today, I’m guessing we’ll see the next beta next week. 👍🏻

Maybe not seems Apple hasn’t been interested particularly with WWDC activities with 18.6.

 

[Kal Madda]

Maybe not seems Apple hasn’t been interested particularly with WWDC activities with 18.6.

I guess I mis-phrased that, I meant that it might drop the week after WWDC25. I doubt they’ll drop it the same week as WWDC25, as the focus will be on iOS 19/25/26 and all the new betas.

 

[Hans300]

Hoping for iOS 18 small update this week.

 

[gtmead09]

Hoping for iOS 18 small update this week.

With WWDC this week, I would all but bet no releases beyond the 19 or 26 releases (whatever it is called). Next week I would expect to see something 18.X related.

 

[fischersd]

We'll need a 26 speculation thread soon. . 15.15GB update on the iPhone 16.

 

[wellander1]

When will the iOS 18.6 betas start coming out?
It seems like we are over due for them.

 

[iSuzan]

To be honest... I don't think we see a 18.6 until the trade/AI dispute is settled with China.

 

[gtmead09]

18.5.1 this week would be awesome lol

 

[Stuipdboy1000]

The first beta of 18.6 has a reported build number of 22G5054d.

 

[yeahtyeaht]

When will the iOS 18.6 betas start coming out?
It seems like we are over due for them.

17.6 Beta was released 17th June last year, so probably sometime this week

 

[southnorth]

18.6 beta out

 

[Artemiz]

18.5.1 tomorrow then

 

[yeahtyeaht]

18.5.1 tomorrow then

No indications for such an update. I mean I hope we will see it but i doubt it for now.

 

[Artemiz]

No indications for such an update. I mean I hope we will see it but i doubt it for now.

If not tomorrow then next Tuesday right after 26b2. There's almost always a point update between the betas.