While Apple continues to provide pre-release upgrades for iOS 18, most notably the iOS 18.5 public beta, the first iOS 19 developer beta is approaching. With the exception of a few Mail app tweaks, this beta doesn’t provide many new features. However, if you’re the kind of person who wants the newest features before everyone else does, you can download iOS 18.5 to your iPhone right now.

See also: What Is Intelligence in Apple? Everything You Need to Know About the AI Features of the iPhone 16

Installing and downloading iOS 18.5 is rather easy. You may become a beta tester from the comfort of your sofa by simply registering on the Apple Beta Software Program website.

The iOS 18.5 beta was already made accessible to developers, as you are well aware. However, since the developer beta is for developers and is often less reliable than a public beta, not everyone wants to use it. In the end, neither beta version is as reliable as the official iOS release.

Everyone may download iOS 18, which has Apple Intelligence, a revamped photo album, satellite text messaging, a password app, improved home screen customization, a redesigned control center, and RCS texting compatibility.

All the information you need to download the iOS 18.5 public beta on your iPhone is provided here.

See also: How to Get the iPhone Developer Beta for iOS 18.5

First, is iOS 18.5 even compatible with your iPhone?

Any iPhone that supports iOS 18 (see the complete list below) may download iOS 18. However, Apple Intelligence is only available on the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and the whole iPhone 16 series, including the iPhone 16E. Only the iPhone 16 series has visual intelligence. However, other non-AI functions are still available.

The complete list of iPhones that support iOS 18.5 may be seen here.

iPhone SE (later and second generation)
XR and XS iPhones
The iPhone XS Max
iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Max, and iPhone 11
iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Mini, and iPhone 12 Pro Max
iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 14
iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Plus, and iPhone 15
The iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
The iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro Max
The iPhone 16E
Then a caution…

Although a public beta is usually more stable than a developer beta, bugs and other serious problems that might harm your phone are still possible since it’s still a beta. Run any iOS 18.5 beta, whether it’s the development or public version, on a spare iPhone you may have in your drawer.

I’ve found that using your primary phone to run a public beta is often OK. You could sometimes run into a glitch; perhaps a feature in a third-party app doesn’t perform as planned since it hasn’t been optimized for any iOS beta version yet. If you don’t mind, using the iOS 18.5 public beta on the iPhone you use on a daily basis shouldn’t be a huge concern. It’s never debilitating, just a little bit unpleasant.

Additionally, upgrade to the most recent version of iOS 18 (currently 18.4) before considering upgrading to iOS 18.5, and then make a backup of your device. Click Back Up Now after selecting Settings > your name > iCloud > iCloud Backup. If you wish to go back to iOS 18, you should read our article on how to archive a backup on your PC.

iPhone backup with iOS 17
Use your PC as a backup if you don’t have enough cloud storage.
How to get the public beta of iOS 18.5 on your iPhone
You may now download the iOS 18.5 public beta after backing up your phone. This is what you must do:

1. Visit the Apple Beta Software Program website on your iPhone and register for the program or login in if you are already a member. Of course, you need an Apple ID. Follow the instructions if this is your first time registering.

2. You should then get further details regarding the iOS 18.5 public beta after tapping the iOS tab.

3. Click the blue enroll your iOS device link under Get Started.

4. Select iOS 18 Public Beta by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates.

5. Lastly, install the iOS 18.5 public beta by selecting Settings > General > Software Update.