Apple Releases iOS 18.5: 33 Reasons to Update Your iPhone Now
In a move that’s music to the ears of security enthusiasts, Apple has released iOS 18.5, packed with a whopping 33 reasons to update your iPhone immediately. Yes, you read that right – 33! And, as you’d expect, the majority of these updates are focused on security fixes, some of which are serious enough to warrant an urgent upgrade.
The Lowdown on iOS 18.5
So, what’s new in iOS 18.5? For starters, Apple has patched a total of 33 vulnerabilities, including two critical flaws in the Kernel, which could enable a remote attacker to cause an unexpected app or system termination. Additionally, multiple bugs in WebKit, the engine that powers Safari, have been fixed, including a type confusion issue that could lead to memory corruption.
Other notable issues patched in iOS 18.5 include:
- An issue in Core Bluetooth that could allow an app to access sensitive user data
- A flaw in iCloud document sharing that could enable an attacker to turn on sharing of an iCloud folder without authentication
- An issue in mDNSResponder that could enable an adversary to elevate privileges
- A code execution vulnerability in open-source code, affecting libexpat
The WatchOS Flaw: A Real-World Concern
But that’s not all. Apple has also issued an update for watchOS, which patches a flaw in CoreAudio that could result in code execution. This vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-31200, has already been exploited in real-world attacks, and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has advised government agencies and high-risk businesses to upgrade urgently.
Why You Should Update Now
So, why should you update your iPhone to iOS 18.5? According to Michael Covington, VP of strategy at Jamf, “the update is smaller and largely focused on security enhancements.” He highlights the importance of updating quickly, citing the fact that none of the iOS 18.5 flaws have been used in real attacks, making it an opportunity to get one step ahead of adversaries.
Actionable Insights
Here are some actionable insights to take away from this update:
- Update your iPhone to iOS 18.5 as soon as possible to patch the critical security flaws
- Apply the watchOS 11.5 update to your Apple Watch to fix the CoreAudio vulnerability
- Ensure you’re applying all other updates issued alongside iOS 18.5, including iPadOS 17.7.7, macOS Sequoia 15.5, and more
- Take advantage of the opportunity to patch all supported devices and stay ahead of attackers
Conclusion
In conclusion, Apple’s iOS 18.5 is a major point upgrade that’s all about security. With over 30 important security fixes, enhanced AI privacy, updates to the Mail app, and a new Pride Harmony wallpaper, there’s no reason not to update your iPhone now. So, what are you waiting for? Update your iPhone to iOS 18.5 and stay safe!