Apple Seeds iOS 18.5 Beta 4, macOS 15.5 Beta 4, and More: What’s New?

April 28, 2025, Apple rolled out the fourth beta versions of iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and several other software updates to developers and public beta testers. This release comes just one week after the third beta cycle, signaling Apple’s steady progress toward the public launch of these updates, expected in May. While iOS 18.5 and its counterparts appear to be minor updates focused on polish and bug fixes, there are hints of new features and tweaks that could enhance the user experience. Let’s dive into the details, including the build numbers for all the new betas and what’s been uncovered so far.

A Wave of Beta Releases

Apple’s latest beta drop includes updates across its ecosystem, covering iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, HomePods, Apple Watches, and Vision Pro. These betas are primarily aimed at developers, with public beta versions typically following shortly after to allow broader testing. Posts on X from sources like @zollotech and @cultofmac confirm the release, highlighting the breadth of updates seeded on April 28.

Here’s a comprehensive chart of the build numbers for the fourth betas released today:

This information aligns with posts on X from @aaronp613 and @ClassicII_MrMac, which provide precise build numbers for each platform.

What’s New in iOS 18.5 Beta 4?

So far, iOS 18.5 has been described as a lightweight update, with earlier betas introducing minor tweaks to the Mail app and Settings. According to sources like 9to5Mac and MacRumors, the first three betas brought the following changes:

• Mail App Enhancements: A new toggle to disable contact photos in the Mail app, accessible via the three-dot menu, making it easier to revert to a cleaner inbox view.
• Settings UI Tweaks: A more prominent AppleCare+ banner in the Settings app under General > AppleCare & Warranty, improving visibility of coverage details.
• Bug Fixes and Stability: iOS 18.5 is focused on resolving issues from iOS 18.4, such as CarPlay bugs and security vulnerabilities addressed in iOS 18.4.1.

With beta 4, no major new features have been explicitly detailed in the release notes or early reports. However, 9to5Mac suggests that iOS 18.5 may include two undisclosed features not yet revealed in prior betas, potentially related to Apple Intelligence or other under-the-hood improvements. These could surface as testing progresses, but for now, beta 4 appears to focus on refining existing changes and squashing bugs.

macOS Sequoia 15.5 Beta 4: What to Expect

macOS Sequoia 15.5 beta 4, with build number 24F5068b, follows a similar trajectory to iOS 18.5. The update is expected to be a minor one, building on the email categorization feature introduced in macOS 15.4. Early betas of macOS 15.5 have not introduced significant new features, but like iOS, they include:

• Settings App Updates: Similar to iOS, macOS 15.5 enhances the visibility of AppleCare+ information in the System Settings app.
• Stability Improvements: The focus remains on optimizing performance and addressing feedback from macOS 15.4, which brought Apple Intelligence to the EU and refined the Mail app.

As with iOS 18.5 beta 4, no specific new features have been reported for macOS 15.5 beta 4, but developers are likely digging into the build to uncover subtle changes.

Other Platforms: watchOS, tvOS, HomePod, and visionOS

The fourth betas for watchOS 11.5, tvOS 18.5, HomePod Software 18.5, and visionOS 2.5 are also part of this release cycle. These updates are typically even lighter than their iOS and macOS counterparts, often focusing on performance improvements and compatibility with the broader ecosystem. No specific new features have been highlighted for these platforms in beta 4, but their inclusion ensures a cohesive update across Apple’s devices.