Apple urges users to update to iOS 18.6 before next release

On July 29, 2025, Apple announced the release of iOS 18.6, the latest iteration in the iOS 18 series, following the previous update, iOS 18.5, which was released on May 12, 2025. This update appears to be a significant one, especially considering that it could be the last major update before the introduction of iOS 26, which is set to go into general release in September 2025. iOS 18.6 is compatible with all iPhones from 2018 onward, including the iPhone Xs, Xs Max, and XR, as well as all models in the iPhone 16 series, leading to speculation that the compatibility considerations will change with the upcoming iOS 26, which is currently only available for the iPhone 11 series and later. The size of the update is substantial, at 1.07GB, indicating it contains important modifications that enhance device performance. While updates like these in later stages of a cycle typically focus on bug fixes and security patches rather than introducing new features, this update does feature a critical fix aimed at the Photos app, particularly resolving an issue that prevented memory movies from being shared effectively. Following Apple’s new naming convention, which reflects the year in which the software is primarily used, iOS 18.6 is indicative of the company’s strategic shift toward a yearly identification system for its operating systems. This shift highlights Apple's ongoing commitment to evolving its software while maintaining security and user experience. Overall, users are encouraged to download this latest update promptly to benefit from its improvements and prepare for future updates later in the year.