iOS 18.5 Is Here—and Users Are Not Exactly Thrilled About It

Another update to the Apple iOS, another letdown.

That seems to be the general vibe across social platforms following Apple’s latest iOS 18.5 rollout. And while updates are supposed to bring fresh features, better stability, or at the very least, something exciting to tap through—this one has people scratching their heads, rolling their eyes, and wondering if Apple is just trolling at this point.

If you're here to dive into everything that actually changed with iOS 18.5, and how to install it properly, check out this complete iOS 18.5 update breakdown and install guide. But for now, let’s talk about the vibe online. Spoiler: it’s not great.

What’s New in iOS 18.5? Apparently… Not Much.

Apple dropped iOS 18.5 with little fanfare—and that’s fitting, because most users feel like there’s nothing worth celebrating. Aside from the now-annual Pride Month wallpaper (which seems to have become the update’s headliner), it’s mostly minor bug fixes and under-the-hood changes that, according to users, don’t actually fix anything.

As one YouTube commenter bluntly put it:

"So basically 15 minutes to explain that nothing is new." – @br8ley

Pride Wallpapers: Progress or Priority Problem?

Let’s address the rainbow-colored elephant in the room. Apple’s Pride wallpapers are a recurring theme in recent updates, but users seem to be asking—why only that?

"I want more clean wallpapers, nature, cities, space, oceans… why do they always only add Pride and Black History Month?" – @ChrisClips281

"I can’t seem to find the wallpaper for straight people." – @JFP-ktl2

"Pity Apple only knows how to make Pride wallpapers and nothing else..." – @HwL01

To be fair, representation matters—but users are frustrated that these additions appear to be replacing real features or functional improvements. Like, maybe throw in a new space-themed dynamic wallpaper once in a while? Or better yet, fix the gallery animation bug?

The Bugs Live On...

You’d expect a point release to squash bugs, right? Unfortunately, the bug tracker on iOS 18.5 is starting to feel like a repeat playlist:

• Clock widget animation still busted
• Shortcuts Privacy Report glitch still showing
• Custom wallpapers randomly fade or discolor
• Back Tap banner looks... half-baked
• Apple Music breaks, pauses randomly, and splits albums
• Siri still ghosting users

"10th update in a row and these issues all persist." – @ahareally

"I had enough of that 'update' bullshit. My 15PM became the worst phone I have ever used." – @blindguymcsqueezy1

Battery life is another hot-button issue, with many users reporting that the previous 18.4.1 version nearly bricked their daily usage—and hopes weren’t exactly sky-high for this one either.

What Happened to the Wallpapers We Loved?

The removal of original stock wallpapers continues to be a sore spot, especially for long-time Apple fans who remember the lush, dynamic options of iOS 10–15.

"They removed all original stock wallpapers... and replaced them with one new Pride wallpaper? Why?" – @itsemy

"We used to get stunning landscape wallpapers. Now? Just one aesthetic agenda." – @MarsPLAYStudio

One user even created an album titled "Old iOS Wallpapers" just to hold onto the good times. Nostalgia runs deep—and Apple’s minimalist approach to personalization is starting to feel more like neglect.

Is It All Bad? Not Entirely.

To be fair, a handful of people found value in features like Back Tap screenshot shortcuts or improved Satellite options (if they actually appeared on their devices). But even those small wins came with glitches and missing functionality depending on the iPhone model or carrier.

"Double back tap – screenshot, excellent. At least for me." – @VaskoTodorovski

"Updated to 18.5 on my 16 Pro Max, but couldn’t find the satellite option." – @greatxx10

Final Thoughts on iOS 18.5 Update

So is iOS 18.5 worth installing? That depends. If you’re expecting major changes or long-overdue fixes—temper those expectations. For many, this update feels like a flashy wallpaper drop disguised as a software refresh. And until Apple addresses the lingering bugs, battery issues, and growing personalization drought, it’s safe to say that excitement around iOS updates has officially left the chat.

Want the full lowdown on what's actually new, what to watch out for, and how to install the update cleanly? Head over to the full guide here:

👉 Everything You Need to Know About the iOS 18.5 Update

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