A leak suggests Apple is all set to release a new iOS 18.6 beta for iPhone with build number 22G5054d very soon.
iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6 Beta Update with Build 22G5054d Shows up in Online Logs, Release is Imminent
Sure, iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are absolutely stealing the thunder away from iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, but do keep in mind Apple’s new operating systems are months away from their final release.
What this means is, we need to pull ourselves back to reality and deal with iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 for a solid few months.
The latest leak suggests that Apple is working on a new beta for iPhone and iPad. The software update is iOS 18.6 and iPadOS 18.6. And, the build number is going to be 22G5054d, according to a leak posted on X.
Interestingly, the update has started to show up in web activity logs as well, which means iOS 18.6 beta is in active testing internally. But it remains to be seen when Apple will seed it for developers and public beta testers.
While it’s unclear what this update will bring to iPhone and iPad, but one thing is certain, it will enable Apple Intelligence in China, something which is long overdue at this point.
It’s also unclear whether this is going to be the last iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 update for iPhone and iPad before the final version of iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 is released. If it isn’t, then there’s likely going to be iOS 18.7 and iPadOS 18.7, which will serve as a transition point from iOS 18 to iOS 26.
Last year, Apple released iOS 17.7 and iPadOS 17.7 for users who didn’t want to update to the latest update immediately. It’s likely Apple is going to do the same thing again this year.
