Apple has released iOS 18.1 beta 5 to developers, and it includes several notable changes for iPhone users. There are improvements to Apple Intelligence, updates to Camera Control on iPhone 16, and more. Here's a full rundown of what's new.
iOS 18.1 beta 5 details
iOS 18.1 beta 5 is currently available to developer beta testers with build number 24B5055e. Last week, Apple released the first public beta of iOS 18.1, and we're expecting a new build this week.
Registered developer beta testers can go to Settings > General > Software Update to install iOS 18.1 beta 5. Apple also released iPadOS 18.1 beta 5, macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 5, watchOS 11.1 beta 2, tvOS 18.1 beta 2, and visionOS 2.1 beta 2.
What's new in iOS 18.1 beta 5?
Control Center Tweaks
- Apple made additional changes to Control Center in iOS 18.1 beta 5. You can now add two new dedicated connection toggles to Control Center, including Wi-Fi and VPN.
- There's also a new button that can reset Control Center to the default layout if you've gotten confused while trying to personalize the interface. You can find it under Settings > Control Center.
Learn more: iOS 18.1 beta 5 brings new connectivity tools and a reset option to Control Center
RCS expansion
- iOS 18.1 beta 5 expands RCS support to a number of new operators around the world:
- Telenet (Belgium)
- Proximus (Belgium)
- BASE (Belgium)
- TracFone (US)
- C Spire (US)
Control camera for iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 users will notice a new camera control option after updating to iOS 18.1. In addition to switching between the rear cameras using the camera controls, you can now switch to the front-facing camera as well.
Learn more: iOS 18.1 adds a new selfie option to control the iPhone 16 camera
iPhone Mirroring update
- In iOS 18.1 beta 5 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple has included support for dragging and dropping files between iPhone and Mac when using iPhone Mirroring. The feature was unveiled at WWDC in June but was not available in the first iteration of iPhone Mirroring that launched earlier this month.
Learn more: The latest iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 beta support drag and drop for iPhone Mirroring
Apple Intelligence Preferences
- The Notes app now has a new dedicated Writing Tools button in the toolbar. Previously, you could only access the Writing Tools by selecting all the text and then clicking Writing Tools in the pop-up menu.
Summary
Other changes in iOS 18.1 beta 5:
- The Apple Watch app icon has been redesigned (old vs. new above)
- Various interface changes under Settings > Apple Account > Sign-in Security.
- There's a new keyboard shortcut action to open Control Center.
- The Settings app now shows a new Apple Intelligence dark mode icon.
- After updating to iOS 18.1 beta 5, you'll see a new Apple Intelligence icon in Messages. pop-up when you first open Messages.
Notice any changes in today’s release of iOS 18.1 beta 5 or iPadOS 18.1 beta 5? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter @9to5Mac, and on Threads @9to5Mac. Stay tuned for our full hands-on coverage of the new releases right here on 9to5Mac today and throughout the rest of the week.
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