Apple released iOS 18.5 on Monday. This will extend emergency satellite functionality to iPhone 13 owners for the first time. Previously, people running iPhone 14 or later could use the satellite function.
Emergency satellite systems for iPhone are designed for use at critical times when cellular signals or Wi-Fi are not available to contact emergency services, send texts via satellite, share information with emergency contacts, and seek roadside assistance.
The iOS 18.5 update focuses on providing access to carrier satellite services such as T-Mobile (using Starlink). You can check if you can access this feature from the Cellular menu under your iPhone Settings.
Until now, the function is believed to have saved lives, and rescuers can help lost or injured hikers, helping people save from wildfires, and more.
The expansion of satellite emergency services to iPhone 13 owners is the most notable addition in iOS 18.5, but iPhone users have also received a handful of small updates.
This adds new features from Apple, Apple’s parent-child control software. This will alert parents if the child will correctly enter the parent’s passcode and access screen time access.
Among other improvements is the updated email app, which allows you to easily access the “All Mail” category as your own tab. New Pride wallpaper. Also an easy way to subscribe to content in the Apple TV app on your smart TV or connected device. Additionally, Apple fixed bugs that caused Apple Vision Pro apps to launch on a black screen when downloaded from the App Store, other bugs using Siri, and unreleased enterprise apps.
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iOS 18.5 was released along with iPados 18.5. This primarily addresses bug fixes. Visionos 2.5; Watchos 11.5; Security-centric updates for MACOS Ventura 13.7.6 (22H625) and Macos Sonoma 14.7.6.