Apple Releases iOS 18.5 Beta 3, iPadOS 18.5 Beta 3, macOS 15.5 Beta 3: New Features and Build Numbers

On April 21, 2025, Apple rolled out the third developer betas for iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, and macOS Sequoia 15.5, alongside updates for tvOS 18.5 and watchOS 11.5. These betas are part of Apple's ongoing effort to refine its operating systems ahead of their public release, expected in May 2025. While these updates are relatively minor compared to earlier iOS 18 releases, they introduce subtle improvements aimed at enhancing user experience and system stability. In this article, we dive into the new features discovered so far, the build numbers for these releases, and what they mean for developers and beta testers.

New Features in iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 Beta 3

The iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 betas focus on refining existing features and improving accessibility. Based on insights from earlier betas, here are the key updates:

• Streamlined Mail App Customization: Apple has made it easier to tweak the Mail app’s interface. Users can now toggle Contact Photos and Group By Sender directly from the three-dot menu in the Mail app’s upper-right corner. These options, initially introduced in iOS 18.4 but tucked away in Settings, are now front and center, catering to users who prefer the simpler, pre-iOS 18 Mail app aesthetic.
• Enhanced AppleCare Integration: The Settings app now sports a prominent AppleCare & Warranty banner under General, featuring an AppleCare logo and a link to explore coverage details. Additionally, selecting a device from your Apple Account’s device list reveals a new AppleCare option, allowing users to view coverage or manage renewing plans with ease.
• Stability and Performance Tweaks: Early testing indicates a focus on bug fixes and performance optimizations. With iOS 19’s debut approaching at WWDC 2025, Apple appears to be polishing iOS 18 to ensure a smooth user experience.

These changes reflect Apple’s strategy of fine-tuning iOS 18 as it prepares for the next major release, prioritizing usability and reliability.

macOS Sequoia 15.5 Beta 3: What’s New

macOS Sequoia 15.5 Beta 3 builds on the productivity enhancements introduced in macOS 15, such as iPhone Mirroring and improved window tiling. While specific new features in this beta are limited, the update likely includes:

• Bug Fixes and Security Enhancements: Similar to iOS and iPadOS, macOS 15.5 emphasizes system stability and security. Apple continues to address minor issues, particularly those tied to Apple Intelligence, which became enabled by default in macOS 15.3.
• Apple Intelligence Optimizations: For M1 Macs and later, macOS 15.5 may refine Apple Intelligence features like Writing Tools and Smart Reply in Mail, though no significant updates have been spotlighted yet.

As a maintenance-focused release, macOS 15.5 aims to solidify the foundation for macOS 16, expected to be unveiled in June 2025.

Build Numbers for Today’s Releases

Apple has released the third developer betas and release candidates for its latest operating system updates on April 21, 2025. The confirmed build numbers are as follows:

• iOS 18.5 Beta 3: 22F5053j
• iPadOS 18.5 Beta 3: 22F5053j
• macOS Sequoia 15.5 Beta 3: 24F5053j
• tvOS 18.5 Beta 3: 22L5559d
• watchOS 11.5 Beta 3: 22T5559d
• visionOS 2.5 beta 3: 22O5459c

Developers can confirm these build numbers by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on compatible devices or through Apple’s developer portal. These builds reflect incremental updates from the second betas, focusing on stability and minor refinements.

Other Updates: tvOS 18.5 and watchOS 11.5

Alongside the major OS betas, Apple released the third developer betas for tvOS 18.5 and watchOS 11.5. These updates are expected to focus on bug fixes and minor performance improvements, with no major new features reported yet. tvOS 18.5 likely refines the Apple TV experience, while watchOS 11.5 may include small tweaks for Apple Watch functionality.