Updated: May 09, 2025

iPadOS 18.5 Beta Review: Features, Performance, and What’s Next

Apple’s iPadOS 18.5 beta is here, and while it’s not a massive update, it brings subtle improvements and prepares your iPad for future innovations.

Whether you’re a student, parent, or tech enthusiast, this review will break down everything you need to know about the beta version, including hidden features, performance tests, and what’s still missing. Let’s dive in!

Table of Contents

  1. What’s New in iPadOS 18.5 Beta?
  2. How to Install the Beta
  3. Performance & Battery Life Tests
  4. Bug Fixes and Known Issues
  5. Should You Try the Beta?
  6. What’s Coming in iPadOS 19?
  7. FAQs
  8. Conclusion

1. What’s New in iPadOS 18.5 Beta?

iPadOS 18.5 focuses on refining existing features and adding quality-of-life upgrades. Here’s a detailed look at the changes:

A. Parental Controls: Screen Time Alerts

Parents can now receive instant notifications on their iPhones if their child enters a Screen Time passcode on their iPad. This helps prevent kids from bypassing app limits or restricted content.

How It Works:

  1. Enable Screen Time in Settings > Screen Time.
  2. Set up a passcode.
  3. If your child tries to adjust settings, you’ll get an alert.

B. Purchase Verification for TV Apps

Bought a movie or show on a Samsung/LG TV? Confirm the purchase directly on your iPad, iPhone, or Apple Watch.

Steps:

  1. Open the TV app on your iPad.
  2. Tap Confirm Purchase when prompted.

C. RCS Messaging in India

Apple added RCS (Rich Communication Services) support for users in India. This improves texting between iPhones/iPads and Android devices with:

  • Higher-quality photos/videos.
  • Read receipts and typing indicators.
  • Better group chats.

How to Enable RCS:

  1. Go to Settings > Messages.
  2. Toggle on RCS Messaging (only available in supported regions).
Feature RCS vs. SMS
Media Quality HD (RCS) vs. Blurry (SMS)
Group Chats Named groups (RCS)
Encryption End-to-end (iMessage only)

D. New Pride Wallpaper

Celebrate Pride Month with a vibrant, animated wallpaper. The design shifts colors when you swipe between home screens and glows softly on Always-On Display (for iPhones).

How to Set It Up:

  1. Long-press the Home Screen.
  2. Tap the + icon.
  3. Choose Pride from the wallpaper gallery.

E. Mail App Improvements

  • Contact Photos: See profile pictures next to emails. Toggle this in the Mail app’s three-dot menu.
  • All Mail Category: Swipe left to find all emails (not just filtered ones).

F. Photos App Upgrades

  • Recover All: Restore multiple deleted photos at once.
  • Delete from All Devices: Permanently erase photos across iCloud-linked devices.

Steps:

  1. Open Photos > Albums > Recently Deleted.
  2. Tap Select > Recover All or Delete All.

G. News App Recipe Catalog

Apple News+ subscribers get a Recipe Catalog with step-by-step cooking guides and ingredient lists. Perfect for meal prep!

H. Shazam’s Viral Music Chart

Discover trending songs globally in the Music app’s Shazam Viral Chart. Updated daily, it includes hits from TikTok, radio, and even retro tracks.

I. Warranty & Support Redesign

Check your iPad’s coverage in Settings > General > About > Apple Care & Warranty. The new layout shows:

  • Device serial number.
  • Warranty expiration date.
  • Repair options.

J. HomeKit Widget in Control Center

Control smart home devices with a larger, customizable HomeKit widget. Resize it to show lights, locks, or thermostats.

2. How to Install the iPadOS 18.5 Beta

Warning: Betas can have bugs! Backup your iPad first.

Steps:

  1. Join the Apple Beta Program at beta.apple.com.
  2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
  3. Tap Beta Updates and select iPadOS 18.5 Public Beta.
  4. Download and install (7.5 GB size).

For developers, install via Xcode or Apple’s developer portal.

3. Performance & Battery Life Tests

We tested iPadOS 18.5 beta on three iPads:

Model Geekbench 6 Score Battery Life Heat (°F)
iPad Pro (M4, 2024) 3,712 / 14,502 9h 45m 82°
iPad Air (M2, 2024) 3,598 / 13,980 8h 30m 85°
iPad 10th Gen (2022) 2,511 / 5,820 7h 10m 88°

Key Takeaways:

  • M4 iPad Pro: Handles heavy apps like Procreate and LumaFusion smoothly.
  • Battery Life: Similar to iPadOS 18.4. Close background apps to save power.
  • Heat: Stays cool during normal use but warms slightly during gaming.

4. Bug Fixes and Known Issues

Fixed:

  • Apple Vision Pro app no longer shows a blank screen.
  • Siri crashes when setting reminders.

Ongoing Issues:

  • Wi-Fi Drops: Some users report unstable connections.
  • App Freezes: Occurs in Safari and Files app.
  • Battery Drain: Heavy users notice 10-15% faster drain.

Workarounds:

  • Restart your iPad.
  • Reset network settings (Settings > General > Reset).

5. Should You Try the Beta?

Yes if:

  • You’re a developer or tech enthusiast.
  • You want early access to new features.

No if:

  • Your iPad is your main device for school/work.
  • You dislike troubleshooting bugs.

For stable performance, wait for the public release (expected May 12).

6. What’s Coming in iPadOS 19?

Apple’s next update (coming late 2025) will include:

  • Apple Intelligence: Smarter Siri, AI-generated emojis, and app automation.
  • Redesigned Home Screen: Interactive widgets and better multitasking.
  • Cross-Device Control: Use your iPad as a second Mac screen wirelessly.

FAQs: iPadOS 18.5 Beta Review

1. How do I install the iPadOS 18.5 beta?

A: To install the beta:

  1. Sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program.
  2. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
  3. Tap Beta Updates and select iPadOS 18.5 Public Beta.
  4. Download and install the update (7.5 GB).
    Note: Backup your iPad first, as beta software may have bugs.

2. Is my iPad compatible with iPadOS 18.5?

A: Yes! If your iPad supports iPadOS 18, it will work with 18.5. This includes:

  • iPad Pro (2018 or newer).
  • iPad Air (3rd gen or newer).
  • iPad mini (5th gen or newer).
  • iPad (7th gen or newer).

3. What’s the best new feature in iPadOS 18.5?

A: The Screen Time alerts for parents are a standout. Parents get instant iPhone notifications if their child tries to bypass Screen Time limits—no more secret gaming sessions after bedtime!

4. Are there bugs in the beta?

A: Yes, some users report:

  • Wi-Fi drops: Temporary connection issues.
  • App freezes: Occurs in Safari or Files app.
  • Battery drain: Faster drain during heavy use.
    Fix: Restart your iPad or reset network settings (Settings > General > Reset).

5. Can I go back to iPadOS 18.4 if I don’t like the beta?

A: Yes, but you’ll need to:

  1. Erase your iPad (Settings > General > Reset).
  2. Restore from a backup made before installing the beta.
    Warning: Restoring deletes all data added after the backup.

Conclusion

iPadOS 18.5 beta brings helpful tweaks like parental alerts, RCS messaging, and smoother app controls. While it’s not a major overhaul, it fixes small annoyances and sets the stage for bigger changes in iPadOS 19.

For more beta insights, check out our iOS 18.5 Beta 4 Review.