iOS 18.1 beta 5: All the new features and changes

Apple has released the fifth beta of iOS 18.1 to developers, and it includes a number of notable changes for iPhone users. There are improvements to Apple Intelligence, upgrades to camera controls on the iPhone 16, and more. Scroll below for a full rundown of what’s new.

iOS 18.1 Beta 5 Details

The fifth beta of iOS 18.1 is currently available to beta testers with build number 24B5055e. Apple released the first public beta of iOS 18.1 last week, and we expect a new release sometime this week.

Registered developer beta testers can head to Settings > General > Software Update to install iOS 18.1 beta 5. Apple has also released iPadOS 18.1 beta 5, macOS Sequoia 15.1 beta 5, watchOS 11.1 beta 2, tvOS 18.1 beta 2, and visionOS 2.1 beta 2.

What’s new in iOS 18.1 beta 5?

Control Center Modifications

• Apple has made additional changes to Control Center in iOS 18.1 beta 5. There are now two new dedicated connectivity switches that can be added to Control Center, including Wi-Fi and VPN.
• There’s also a new button that can reset Control Center to the default layout if you’re trying to customize the interface. This button can be found in Settings > Control Center.

Read more: iOS 18.1 beta 5 brings new connectivity tools and a reset option to Control Center

RCS Expansion

• iOS 18.1 beta 5 expands RCS support to a number of new carriers around the world:
  • Telenet (Belgium)
  • Proximus (Belgium)
  • Base (Belgium)
  • Tracfone (USA)
  • C-Spire (USA)

Camera control for iPhone 16

• iPhone 16 users will notice a new camera control option after updating to iOS 18.1. In addition to switching between the rear cameras using the camera control, you can now also switch to the front camera.

Read more: iOS 18.1 adds a new option to take selfies to control the iPhone 16 camera

iPhone Screen Mirroring Upgrade

• With the release of iOS 18.1 beta 5 and macOS Sequoia 15.1, Apple has enabled support for dragging and dropping files between iPhone and Mac when using iPhone Mirroring. This feature was demonstrated at WWDC in June, but it wasn’t available in the first version of iPhone Mirroring that was released earlier this month.

Read more: The latest iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 beta brings drag-and-drop capability to mirror your iPhone screen

Apple’s smart modifications

• In the Notes app, there’s a new dedicated button for writing tools in the toolbar. Previously, writing tools could only be accessed by selecting all the text and tapping Writing Tools in the pop-up menu.

conclusion

Other changes in iOS 18.1 beta 5:

• Apple Watch app icon has been modified (old vs new above)
• Various adjustments to the Settings > Apple Account > Sign-in Security interface.
• There are new shortcuts to open Control Center.
• The new dark mode icon from Apple Intelligence is now visible in the Settings app.
• After updating to iOS 18.1 beta 5, you’ll see a new pop-up window titled “Apple Intelligence in Messages” the first time you open the Messages app.

Have you noticed any changes in today’s release of iOS 18.1 beta 5 or iPadOS 18.1 beta 5? Let us know in the comments below, at Twitter @9to5Macand on @9to5Mac threadsStay tuned for our full coverage of new releases here on 9to5mac Today and throughout the rest of the week.

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