Another update is coming for the iPhone, because Apple is working on iOS 18.6. This is the expected release of iOS 18.6!
iOS 18.6
Apple iOS 26 has already announced at the WWDC 2025, but that update will only be published in September. In the meantime, Apple releases a new software version of iOS 18, which comes to your iPhone much faster. It is expected that iOS 18.6 will be released this month, making Apple a number of small changes on the iPhone. These adjustments are primarily intended to comply with European regulations.
Apple makes it easier in iOS 18.6 to download applications via alternative web stores and web browsers. Where you still have to go to the settings app of your iPhone to install an app in this way, that is no longer necessary from iOS 18.6. Instead, you get to see much fewer screens, to make installing these apps easier. Curious when these changes will come to your iPhone? This is the expected release of iOS 18.6.
Release of iOS 18.6
Apple has not officially announced the release of iOS 18.6. The company maintains approximately the same timeline every year in the release of new software versions, so that we have an idea of ​​the moment when iOS 18.6 appears. Last year Apple released iOS 17.6 on July 29, in 2023 iOS 16.6 arrived on July 24 and a year earlier iOS 15.6 appeared on July 20. You can probably install iOS 18.6 on your iPhone around the same period.
The release of iOS 18.6 falls at least at the end of July. Apple usually releases new software versions on a Monday or a Tuesday. There is therefore a good chance that iOS 18.6 Monday, July 21 or Monday, July 28, 2025 comes to your iPhone. Keep an eye on your iPhone, because one of those evenings will probably release Apple iOS 18.6. Updates often appear in the evening at 7 p.m., Dutch time.
More about iOS 18.6
With iOS 18.6 few major changes come to your iPhone. Most functions of iOS 18 have already been rolled out with an earlier software version. Apple therefore uses iOS 18.6 mainly for improving the software and remedying any problems. For European users it becomes easier to install applications via alternative web stores and web browsers, but that’s it.
Many new functions will come to your iPhone in September, because then Apple will release iOS 26. It is about the biggest update in years, with a new interface and more functions for the iPhone. After the release of iOS 18.6, it doesn’t take long before iOS 26 is available to all users. Are you curious if your iPhone has support for the update? Then read here which devices work with iOS 26!
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