Apple has officially launched the first public beta of iOS 18.5 as of April 15, just over two weeks after rolling out iOS 18.4 to everyone. While the prior update introduced exciting new emojis, the latest beta focuses primarily on bug fixes and minor enhancements, particularly for the Mail app. But don’t hold your breath for anything groundbreaking.

Caution is key with this beta version—it’s still a work in progress. If you decide to dive in, it’s wise to avoid using your main device. You might encounter bugs and battery issues, so keep those annoying kinks on a secondary device.

The beta version is just a taste of what iOS 18.5 might offer upon its official release, which remains shrouded in mystery with no set launch date announced yet. However, intriguing features could surface later.

What’s New in Mail App?

One of the highlights of this beta is a handful of tweaks to the Mail app. One significant update enhances user control by allowing you to easily toggle contact photos on and off for email threads. Now, when you’re viewing your messages, you can opt to see just a clean subject line and preview, reminiscent of the older Mail interface.

To customize your Mail viewing experience, open the app, select the three dots in the top-right corner, and choose the option to show or hide contact photos. This feature was available in iOS 18.4, but finding this setting used to feel like a scavenger hunt through the Settings menu.

Additionally, the beta introduces a more user-friendly way to access the 'All Mail' category. By swiping left on the categories bar at the top of the Mail app, you’ll now see a handy tab that signals when this previously hidden option is available. Although 'All Mail' itself isn’t new, this small tweak makes navigating your inbox a bit easier.

What Else to Expect?

Aside from these minor adjustments, nothing else has surfaced in this beta, which is no shocker given that Apple is gearing up for its Worldwide Developers Conference in June. With the spotlight shifting toward iOS 19, iOS 18.5 might not see many more features added before its public launch.

Rest assured, Apple will likely release further beta versions leading up to the official rollout, opening the door for potential changes and enhancements. For now, it's a waiting game to see what else Apple has in store for users.