The next update for the iPhone is iOS 18.6, of which Apple has now announced the first features. You can expect this from iOS 18.6!
iOS 18.6
An update will be added to the iPhone soon! Apple has already announced iOS 26 during the WWDC 2025, but is working in the background on an interim update of iOS 18. The following software version for the iPhone is iOS 18.6, with which Apple mainly makes improvements. The company has now presented two new features, which come to the iPhone with iOS 18.6.
Apple has adjusted the rules for the App Store to comply with European regulations. Developers get more options in promoting offers and promotions in the App Store. The rates that small developers have to hand over to Apple have also been reduced. Now it appears that Apple goes one step further with iOS 18.6, because it is therefore easier to install applications without App Store.
Install apps without App Store
Since iOS 17.4, Apple has been able to install alternative web stores on the iPhone. This is the result of European legislation, which is intended to give (small) developers a fairer competitive position. However, Apple did not make it easy to install applications of alternative app stores. To download such an app, users now see no fewer than seven pages to agree with the installation, but that changes with iOS 18.6.
Do you install an app from a developer on your iPhone for the first time? In that case you will see several screens to agree with the download. This is one -off from iOS 18.6, because with later purchases from the same developer you no longer have to adjust the settings of your iPhone. Apple has reduced the number of screens from seven to four, when you still download an application from the same developer. This makes it easier to install apps from alternative web stores.
Download applications via Safari
Apple makes the same adjustments in iOS 18.6 when installing applications via a web browser. That is also possible, but users have to follow no less than six steps to finally download the application. From iOS 18.6 this number is reduced to four, if you still install an app from the same developer. With iOS 18.6 you can download applications more easily via alternative web stores and web browsers on your iPhone.
It is still unclear which features with iOS 18.6 come to your iPhone even more. Apple has already introduced most new functions in an earlier iOS 18 version. For major changes we have to wait for iOS 26, which Update will be published in September. You can install iOS 18.6 much earlier, Apple will probably release the next update next month. Do you not want to miss any announcement from Apple? Then register for our newsletter, so that you are immediately informed!
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