iOS 18.5 Beta 1 Released: Mail App Restores Classic Look, Delivers Bug Fixes and Usability Enhancements

Apple has released iOS 18.5 Beta 1, bringing a series of user-focused refinements to iPhone owners, with the Mail app receiving the most notable update. Responding to user feedback following the major redesign introduced in iOS 18.2, Apple now allows users to easily revert to the classic Mail app interface. The update introduces a new in-app toggle for hiding contact photos and disabling AI-powered features, such as message categorization and priority sorting, directly from the Mail app’s three-dot menu—eliminating the need to navigate through the Settings app.

The original redesign in iOS 18.2 added inbox categories, grouped messages by sender, and prominent contact photos, but many users preferred the traditional chronological inbox. With iOS 18.5 Beta 1, users can now quickly switch back to the classic list view and hide contact images, offering a more familiar and streamlined email experience.

Beyond the Mail app, iOS 18.5 Beta 1 delivers performance improvements, bug fixes, and subtle enhancements across the system. Key fixes address issues within the Apple Vision Pro app, the StoreKit framework, and writing tools that affected third-party apps, aiming to improve overall compatibility and reliability. The update also introduces minor interface changes to the AppleCare & Warranty section, providing direct links to Apple’s support resources for easier access.

While iOS 18.5 Beta 1 does not introduce major new features, it reflects Apple’s ongoing commitment to user customization and system stability. The beta is available for developers and public testers, with further refinements expected ahead of the official release.