Apple has just released iOS 18.6 beta 2 to developers, alongside companion updates like macOS Sequoia 15.6 and more. Here’s what to expect.

Update 7/1/25: Public beta versions are now available one day later.

Apple offering two beta cycles this summer, including iOS 18.6

It’s rare for Apple to offer multiple different beta cycles for its software, with the main exception being summertime.

In the summer, Apple always tests its big new OS versions in developer and public betas. This year that’s iOS 26, macOS 26, iPadOS 26, and so on.

These major updates will launch to all users this fall, and are currently being tested by developers—with a public beta version coming in July.

But Apple also has new x.6 updates coming to its existing software versions, and those are being beta tested now too.

Updates include:

• iOS 18.6
• iPadOS 18.6
• macOS Sequoia 15.6
• watchOS 11.6
• tvOS 18.6
• visionOS 2.6

As the final expected noteworthy releases in the current software cycle, these updates aren’t expected to include much in the way of new features—except perhaps for EU users.

Instead, the releases focus on bug fixes and stability. Essentially, Apple knows lots of users will stay on iOS 18 for a while rather than updating to iOS 26. As such, it wants to leave the software in especially good shape before moving all its resources to future OS versions.

Today’s new beta 2 releases are unlikely to introduce anything new not found in beta 1, aside from the aforementioned EU changes. But if you’re in the EU, you may see the new experience for downloading apps and marketplaces from the web included.

Source: 9to5mac