Apple has rolled out iOS 18.5, bringing with it 33 compelling reasons to upgrade your iPhone right away. The iOS 18.5 update resolves issues that may have been inadvertently introduced in the previous release, iOS 18.4.1. With these fixes in place, installing iOS 18.5 promptly is highly recommended.
The latest iOS update addresses several security flaws found in Apple’s native applications, as well as in components essential for functions like Bluetooth connectivity and the operation of Apple’s first in-house cellular modem, which is expected to debut with the iPhone 16e.
Apple has provided a comprehensive breakdown of these security enhancements on its official support page, but here are some of the more significant updates worth highlighting.
iOS 18.5 brings important security improvements, including the resolution of several vulnerabilities within WebKit—the underlying engine for Safari. Among these is CVE-2025-24213, a type confusion flaw discovered by the Google V8 Security Team, which had the potential to cause memory corruption.
The update also addresses a security gap in Core Bluetooth that could have let malicious apps gain access to users’ confidential data. In addition, Apple fixed an iCloud document sharing issue that might have allowed unauthorized activation of folder sharing. Another critical vulnerability, listed as CVE-2025-31222 and located in mDNSResponder, was patched to prevent possible privilege escalation by attackers.
iPhones compatible with iOS 18.5:
Any iPhone capable of running iOS 18 will also be eligible for the iOS 18.5 update. This includes models such as the iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, the iPhone SE (2nd generation and newer), and the entire iPhone 11 through iPhone 16 lineups, including the iPhone 15, 14, 13, and 12 series.
How to download iOS 18.5:
To download the iOS 18.5 update, users should navigate to Settings > General > Software Update on their iPhone. Before proceeding, it’s recommended to ensure the device is connected to a stable Wi-Fi network and has adequate battery life to complete the installation.