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iOS 18.6 Beta 3 ― Bug Fixes, Changes, and Improvements

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Banglazed

Banglazed

macrumors 603
Original poster
Apr 17, 2017
5,083
10,010
Cupertino, CA
iOS 18.6 Beta 3

Release Date ― July 14, 2025
Build Number ― 22G5073b
Darwin Kernel Version ―

iOS 18.6 Beta Release Notes

Remaining Issues
Resolved Issues
Features:

Additional Notes
To get the beta over-the-air:
  1. Enable Beta Updates (Settings > General > Software Updates > Beta Updates)
  2. Make sure you’re signed into the right Apple Account
  3. Select which beta you’d like to receive (public/developer beta)
  4. Hit "Back" and pull down to refresh
  5. Back up to a computer or to iCloud
  6. Install the beta
If you no longer wish to receive beta updates:
  1. Turn off the Beta Updates (you can also sign out of your Apple Account to reset this setting)
  2. Wait for the next public release or follow the guide below to go back to a release build
Troubleshooting: If the beta doesn’t show up on your phone, try turning on airplane mode, then turning it back off, or restart your device.

How to install using a Mac?
  1. You’ll need the Xcode beta itself or a MobileDevice.pkg somebody extracted from the beta (click with two fingers or control-click), then choose Show Package Contents. Go to Contents/Resources/Packages. - this will work on older Macs that do not support the latest macOS or Xcode betas)
  2. Back up to your Mac or to iCloud in case you need to go back to another version
  3. Hold down Option, then click on ‘Check for Update’/‘Restore iPhone...’ and select the IPSW file you downloaded from the Apple Developer site. Note: You must be connected to the internet to complete the restore.
  4. Enter your iPhone passcode if you’re prompted to do so.
Notes/Tips:
  • Always keep a backup in case you need to restore your phone
  • Restoring wipes your settings and all data on your iPhone
  • You only need to reinstall MobileDevice.pkg if your Mac stops recognizing your iPhone
  • There is no MobileDevice.pkg equivalent to iTunes for PC which would require a new iTunes to support new/beta iOS
  • Upgrading to a newer iPhone? You can update using your Mac before setting up the phone
  • iPhone 16 series: 1.70.02
  • iPhone 16e: 1.0.13
  • iPhone 15 series: 2.70.01
  • iPhone 14 series: 3.60.02
  • iPhone 13 series and iPhone SE (3rd gen): 4.70.01
  • iPhone 12 series: 5.10.01
  • iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE (2nd gen) and iPad Air (Cellular, 4th gen): 6.01.01
  • iPhone XS, XS Max and XR: 7.01.01
Australia
  • Optus - 51.0
  • Telstra - 55.0
  • Vodafone AU - 64.5.5
Belgium
  • BASE - 33.0
  • Orange B - 58
  • Proximus - 45.0
  • Telenet - 64.5.6
Brazil (updated 26b1r2, unchanged from 26b1)
  • Claro Brasil - 64.5.4
  • Vivo - 64.5.4
  • TIM -
  • Oi -
Canada
  • Bell - 62.8
  • Fido - 56.0
  • Fizz - 53.0
  • Freedom/Shaw Mobile - 54.8.6
  • Mint Mobile - 58.0
  • Public Mobile - 54.8.4
  • Rogers - 64.5.5
  • Telus - 54.8.8
  • Videotron - 53.0
  • Virgin Mobile - 50.0
Denmark
  • 3 DK - 46.7.11
  • TDC 64.0
  • Norlys 64.0.1
Finland
  • DNA - 58.5.7
France
  • Bouygues Telecom - 40.0
  • Orange France - 63.0
  • Free - 64.0
  • SFR -
Germany
  • Vodafone.de - 62.8.1 and RCS enabled
  • Telekom.de - 64.5.6 and RCS enabled
  • o2-de - 61.6.1 RCS enabled
Greece:
  • Cosmote - 38.0
Guatemala
  • TIGO GT - 49.0
India
  • Airtel - 58.5.18
  • Jio - 58.5.18 (iPhone) and 58.5.18 (iPad)
  • Vi India (Vodafone Idea) - 58.5
Ireland
  • Eir - 33.5
  • Vodafone IE - 38.0
Mexico
  • AT&T - 57.0
  • Telcel - 57.6
Morocco
  • Orange - 50.0
Netherlands
  • KPN - 61.0
  • Vodafone NL - 45.0
  • Odido -
Poland
  • T-Mobile - 64.5.4
  • Orange - 64.5.2
  • Play - 61.0
  • Plus - 61.0
Portugal
  • Vodafone P - 40.0
Romania
  • Orange RO - 55.0
Slovakia
  • Orange SK - 57.6
Southeast Asia
  • Singapore Singtel -
  • Philippines Globe - 62.0
  • Philippines Globe (iPad) - 38.0
  • Philippines Smart - 63.0
  • Thailand AIS - 53.0
  • Thailand DTAC - 53.0
  • Malaysia Umobile - 33.0
  • Malaysia Maxis -33.0
  • Malaysia Digi -
  • Malaysia celcom -
  • Hong Kong - 32.0
  • Taiwan -
Spain
  • Orange ES - 64.5.5
  • DIGI ES - 54.8.4
  • Vodafone ES - 54.8.8
  • Movistar - 58.0
  • Yoigo - 63.0
Sweden
  • Comviq -
  • Tre - 31.0
Switzerland
  • Salt - 58.0
  • Sunrise - 63.0
  • Swisscom - 63.0
Turkey
  • Turkcell (Lifecell) - 36.5.5
  • Vodafone TR - 32.0
  • Turk Telekom - 32.0
United Kingdom
  • BT-UK (EE MVNO) -
  • EE - 64.0
  • Giffgaff (O2 MVNO) -
  • iD Mobile (Three MVNO) - 64.2
  • Lebara (Vodafone MVNO) -
  • Mozillion (EE MVNO) - 63.5.1
  • Lyca (EE MVNO) -
  • O2-UK -
  • Sky (O2 MVNO) -
  • Three - 64.2
  • Virgin Mobile (EE MVNO) -
  • Vodafone UK -
United States
  • AT&T - 64.0.1
  • Boost - 57.0
  • Cricket - 60.5.5
  • FirstNet - 55.0
  • FirstNet (iPad) - 41.7.6
  • Metro (TMO MVNO) - 64.5.12
  • Spectrum (VZW MVNO) - 64.0.1
  • T-Mobile - 64.0.1
  • TracFone/Straight Talk/Walmart Family Mobile - 63.5
  • U.S. Cellular - 46.7.24
  • Ultra/Mint Mobile (TMO MVNO) - 64.0
  • Verizon - 64.0
  • Visible (VZW MVNO) - 62.0
  • Xfinity Mobile - 57.6.1
Other
  • Docomo - 32.5.10
  • AlwaysOnline -

Historical beta release chart

iOS Version History Chart

iOS version history chart
www.thinkybits.com www.thinkybits.com
 
Last edited:
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I had difficulties searching for updates (error messages appeared) and suddenly my 12 Pro stated 18.6 RC(!!) available - WHAT!? :confused: Unfortunately i didn't take a screenshot, because i was so irritated and refreshed the update search. :(
Now it states only 18.6 public beta 2 available.
 
Still not on RC yet and we're mid-july? The final release seems to be way later than usual releases. Plus its been more than 2 months now without any public security updates.
 
I’ve been running the 18.6 developer beta 3 on my 15PM for 24 hours. The public beta released today is likely the same build.

In my experience, 18.6 betas 2 and 3 have been great. They run cool, OS performance is smooth and fast, battery life is as good as I’ve had any on previous version of iOS. All my CarPlay apps work as expected. No issues with connectivity. 18.6 seems to fix some minor but annoying issues that I and many others reported about iOS 18.5.

Standard disclaimer applies: YMMV.
 
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roncron said:
In my experience, 18.6 betas 2 and 3 have been great. They run cool, OS performance is smooth and fast, battery life is as good as I’ve had any on previous version of iOS. All my CarPlay apps work as expected. No issues with connectivity. 18.6 seems to fix some minor but annoying issues that I and many others reported about iOS 18.5
Click to expand...
I agree 100%. The last 2 betas of 18.6 have been running great on my iPhone 12 Pro. I am not having any issues at all.
 
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UliBaer said:
That's good to hear! 👍
My 12 Pro - still running on 17.7.2 - is already waiting for the golden release. ;)
Click to expand...
It’s only been a day and a half but so far beta 3 is running great. This is the first OS in a very long time where my phone didn’t heat up at all when using FaceTime. Also, making a phone calls while using CarPlay has not caused heat or battery issues.
Speaking of battery life, it’s been very good so far. Better than 17.XX or 18.5 or lower.
 
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winxmac said:
Are you waiting for the Golden Master, I mean, Release Candidate?
Click to expand...
Yes, I am waiting for the release. This time no beta for me, cause i had a rough ride on the 17.x betas. :mad:

I had to update early (17.0) because i wanted to transfer to a new device (the 12 Pro in September 2023) and the transfer insisted of updating my new device to the latest iOS. That was the worst decision i ever made, cause 17 simply wasn't ready for the job and my daily driver wasn't reliable until around 17.5.xx. The first release of iOS 17.0 even bricked my then new device and i had to wait for 17.0.2 to be even able to transfer my data to the new device without bricking! 🤦‍♂️ So I was very cautious this time and stayed on 17.7.2 watching the development of 18 and waited for it to mature.

I'm still definitely *not* digging the changes in iOS 18 (mail, photos, etc.), but the planned abandonment of the 17 series by Apple and security deficits nudge me to the 18 series - as obviously wanted by Apple.

[edit]
I definitely would be a lot happier with iOS 17.7.6 and following, but Apple refuses to deliver on 12 Pro... :(
 
Last edited:
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ManuCH said:
Do I get that right that iOS 18.6 basically is just about bug fixes, and then those changes to the European Union App Store(s)?
Click to expand...
At the moment that seems like all that's included in this update.

9to5Mac has reported that support for the 2nd-gen AirTag is baked in to 18.6 however that may not be announced until September.
 
Has the design for the CarPlay splash screen been changed? Can't say I've noticed the CarPlay text with the Apple logo before.
 

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