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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Apple released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 on May 12, 2025. The update added a new Lock Screen wallpaper and a Screen Time notification for parents, alongside smaller app and connectivity changes, bug fixes, and security updates. It is a historical release—not a statement of the current iOS version.
What’s new in iOS 18.5?
Apple’s release notes list five changes for iOS 18.5. Some features may vary by region or Apple device.
- Pride Harmony wallpaper: A new wallpaper option for the iPhone Lock Screen.
- Screen Time passcode alert: Parents receive a notification when the Screen Time passcode is used on a child’s device.
- Apple TV purchases: “Buy with iPhone” can be used to purchase content in the Apple TV app on a third-party device.
- Vision Pro app fix: The update addresses an issue that could cause the Apple Vision Pro app to display a black screen.
- Satellite feature support: All iPhone 13 models gained support for carrier-provided satellite features. Apple’s release notes do not specify carrier availability or terms.
Apple’s full iOS 18 update history includes later releases, so version 18.5 should not be mistaken for the latest iOS release.
What security fixes are in iOS 18.5?
Apple’s security content lists fixes across system components including media handling, networking, privacy, FaceTime, and WebKit. The fixes address different kinds of risks; applicability varies by issue and device.
#1 Best Overall
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
- AppleJPEG: Crafted media could make an app quit unexpectedly or corrupt process memory. Apple says it improved input sanitization.
- Baseband on iPhone 16e: An attacker in a privileged network position might intercept network traffic. Apple describes a state-management improvement.
- Call History: Call history from deleted apps could remain in Spotlight search results. Apple says it removed the sensitive data.
- FaceTime: Muting during a call might not silence audio. Apple addressed the issue with a state-management fix.
- Notes: A person with physical access might access notes from the Lock Screen. Apple says it improved authentication.
- Security: A remote attacker might be able to leak memory. Apple addressed an integer overflow with improved input validation.
- WebKit: Several entries concern crafted web content, memory corruption, or browser and process crashes.
Apple’s security page was published on November 21, 2025, and identifies some entries as added or updated on that date. Therefore, not every entry on the page should be described as newly disclosed on the May 2025 release day. The page provides impact details, affected device ranges, fixes, and CVE identifiers where available: Apple’s iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 security content.
Which iPhones and iPads are covered by iOS 18.5 security updates?
Apple’s general affected-device scope for the listed security content includes iPhone XS and later, plus the following iPad families:
Rank #2
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
- iPad Pro 13-inch
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later)
- iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
- iPad (7th generation and later)
- iPad mini (5th generation and later)
This is not a claim that every listed security issue affects every model. Apple gives narrower scopes for some entries—for example, the Baseband issue applies to iPhone 16e, while Call History lists iPhone XS and later. Consult the affected-device details for each item on Apple’s security page.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When did iOS 18.5 come out?
Apple dates the iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 release to May 12, 2025. That date is distinct from the November 21, 2025 publication date of Apple’s security-content page, which includes entries added or updated after the release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Smart Connector. 3.5 mm headphone jack. Stereo speakers. On/Off - Sleep/Wake. Home/Touch ID sensor. Dual microphones. Volume up/down. Nano-SIM tray (cellular models). Lightning connector
- A10 Fusion chip.
- Touch ID fingerprint sensor,
- 8MP back camera, 1. 2MP FaceTime HD front camera.
- Stereo speakers.
Rank #3
- WHY IPAD — The 11-inch iPad is now more capable than ever with the superfast A16 chip, a stunning Liquid Retina display, advanced cameras, fast Wi-Fi, USB-C connector, and four gorgeous colors.* iPad delivers a powerful way to create, stay connected, and get things done.
- PERFORMANCE AND STORAGE — The superfast A16 chip delivers a boost in performance for your favorite activities. And with all-day battery life, iPad is perfect for playing immersive games and editing photos and videos.* Storage starts at 128GB and goes up to 512GB.*
- 11-INCH LIQUID RETINA DISPLAY — The gorgeous Liquid Retina display is an amazing way to watch movies or draw your next masterpiece.* True Tone adjusts the display to the color temperature of the room to make viewing comfortable in any light.
- IPADOS + APPS — iPadOS makes iPad more productive, intuitive, and versatile. With iPadOS, run multiple apps at once, use Apple Pencil to write in any text field with Scribble, and edit and share photos.* iPad comes with essential apps like Safari, Messages, and Keynote, with over a million more apps designed specifically for iPad available on the App Store.
- FAST WI-FI CONNECTIVITY — Wi-Fi 6 gives you fast access to your files, uploads, and downloads, and lets you seamlessly stream your favorite shows.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
