Apple has officially released the fourth round of developer betas, continuing the testing cycle for iOS 18.5, iPadOS 18.5, macOS Sequoia 15.5, tvOS 18.5, watchOS 11.5, and visionOS 2.5. This release comes after the third beta versions were seeded on April 21, following the second on April 14 and the initial beta on March 17.
Developers enrolled in Apple’s beta program can now download and install iOS 18.5 beta 4, iPadOS 18.5 beta 4, macOS Sequoia 15.5 beta 4, tvOS 18.5 beta 4, watchOS 11.5 beta 4, and visionOS 2.5 beta 4 on their testing devices.
The latest iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 builds carry the version number 22F5068a, replacing the previous 22F5053j build. Meanwhile, macOS Sequoia 15.5 beta 4 is identified by build 24F5068b, moving forward from 24F5053j. For Apple TV users, tvOS 18.5 beta 4 arrives as build 22L5566a, while watchOS 11.5 beta 4 comes with build 22T5567a. visionOS 2.5 beta 4 rounds out the list with build 22O5467a, succeeding the third beta’s 22O5459c.
As has been the trend through earlier releases, the fourth round of developer betas primarily focuses on performance improvements and bug fixes rather than introducing major new features. The first beta of iOS 18.5 did bring a small update to the Mail app, adding an option to enable or hide contact photos, along with some minor adjustments in the Settings app. Beyond these, no substantial visual or functional changes have been noted, and expectations remain low for any significant updates before Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June. Notably, work on macOS Sequoia 15.5 also appears to be winding down, as Apple shifts its focus toward the next major release, macOS 16, which is expected to debut during WWDC.
Apple advises caution when it comes to installing beta versions of operating systems, emphasizing that users should avoid placing these test builds on primary devices. Beta software often contains bugs and stability issues that can cause anything from minor inconveniences to serious problems like data loss. Developers and testers are encouraged to use secondary hardware for beta installations and ensure that all critical data is fully backed up before proceeding.
Developers interested in trying the new betas can opt-in through the Software Update section within the System Settings app, provided they are using an Apple ID associated with a registered developer account. With WWDC just around the corner and rumors of iOS 19 leaks already surfacing, this round of betas is likely the final polishing phase before Apple unveils the next generation of its operating systems.
