Apple has released iOS 18.5 along with 33 reasons to update your iPhone now. That’s because the iOS 18.5 upgrade comes with a large number of security fixes, some of which are for serious flaws.
Apple doesn’t give away much about what’s fixed in iOS 18.5, to allow as many iPhone users as possible to upgrade before attackers can get hold of the details. Among the flaws patched in iOS 18.5 are two in the Kernel at the heart of the iOS operating system, both of which could enable a remote attacker to cause an unexpected app or system termination, according to Apple’s support page.
Apple’s iOS 18.5 also fixes multiple bugs in WebKit, the engine that underpins the iPhone maker’s Safari browser. Of these, CVE-2025-24213, reported by the Google V8 Security Team is a type confusion issue that could lead to memory corruption.
Another problem fixed in iOS 18.5 is an issue in Core Bluetooth that could see an app able to access sensitive user data, while a flaw in iCloud document sharing might allow an attacker to turn on sharing of an iCloud folder without authentication. An issue in mDNSResponder tracked as CVE-2025-31222 could enable an adversary to elevate privileges.
Another notable issue patched in iOS 18.5 is, CVE-2024-8176 affecting libexpat — a code execution vulnerability in open source code, with Apple software among the affected projects.
Why You Should Update Now To iOS 18.5
Apple’s iOS 18.5 is a major point upgrade including over 30 important security fixes as well as enhanced AI privacy, updates to the Mail app and a new Pride Harmony wallpaper. It also addresses bugs that might have been introduced in the latest iPhone update iOS 18.4.1. This all makes the iOS 18.5 update worth applying as soon as possible.
None of the bugs squashed in iOS 18.5 have been exploited in real life attacks yet. However, it is only a matter of time before more adversaries get hold of the details to perform attacks on people’s iPhones.
Apple’s iOS 18.5 is available for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.
So what are you waiting for? Go to Settings > General > Software Update and upgrade to iOS 18.5 now to keep your iPhone safe.
