With just about a month until the official release of iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, the beta cycle is nearing its end. Today, Apple shifted the weekly beta update schedule by rolling out iOS 18 Beta 6 and iPadOS 18 Beta 6.
Here are the changes I’ve noticed so far. While there aren’t many new features, the updates are still worth noting as Apple focuses on polishing the software ahead of next month’s public release.
In case you missed it, here are the features included in iOS 18 Beta 5 →
What’s New in iOS 18 Beta 6
Bluetooth Control
iOS 18 Beta 6 and iOS 18.1 Beta 2 have added Bluetooth controls to the Control Center.
Photos
Apple has reversed the positions of the Select and Search buttons in Beta 6.
Additionally, the layout of the Albums section has been updated. Now, each album is displayed as a separate card, with the main thumbnail on the left. Previously, the album name was on the left along with a grid of thumbnails.
Note that this change only appears in iOS 18 Beta 6, not in iOS 18.1 Beta 2, even though they were released on the same day.
Phone
In Phone app’s Recents list, tapping on contact name calls the contact. In previous betas, there was a dedicated call button and tapping on contact name opened contact card.
Keyboard
iOS 18 Beta 6 will show you this 
if it’s your first time using a bilingual keyboard.
Apple Music
The Apple Music app features a new welcome screen highlighting the latest features in iOS 18. Additionally, the Browser tab has now been renamed to New.
Icon Tints
Finally, icon tints can now link with the wallpaper in iOS 18 Beta 6.
https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/1823082585968558432
Vehicle Motion Cues
Beta 6 also adds a new banner when the Vehicle Motion Cues feature is activated.
Thanks @stablestream for this spot
More Dark App Icons
Several third-party app icons now support Dark Mode after updating to iOS 18 Beta 6, including Microsoft Suite, Google Translate, Apple Store, and more.
Image credit u/tnetenbaa
Fixed Frequently Used Emoji Keyboard Bug
A persistent bug in iOS 18 Beta 4 and 5 has now been resolved in iOS 18 Beta 6. The frequently used emoji keyboard now correctly displays the emojis you actually use instead of showing ones you’ve never used.
Dark App Icons in Notification Center
App icons in the Notification Center are now linked with the icons on the Home Screen. Previously, they were not synced, so you would see a light icon in the Notification Center even if you were using a dark icon.
What’s New in iOS 18.1 Beta 2
iOS 18.1 Beta 2 essentially includes all the changes from iOS 18 Beta 6, except this update also adds Apple Intelligence for supported devices. Additionally, iOS 18.1 Beta 2 also includes the new features introduced in iOS 18 Beta 5, released last week, such as Distraction Control in Safari, updated icons in Control Center, and refinements in the Photos app.
You can view detailed about these changes here, and below are the changes in iOS 18.1 Beta 2 so far.
Type to Siri
Apple has finally added the “Type to Siri” option to the main Apple Intelligence & Siri menu in iOS 18.1 Beta 2.
Apple Intelligence in EU
There are some reports that iOS 18.1 Beta 2 allows certain EU countries to enable Apple Intelligence (the region must be set to the United States and the default language to English).
It seems this change is server-side, as some people in the EU are even able to enable Apple Intelligence on iOS 18.1 Beta 1 right now.
Of course, you’ll still need one of the devices that support Apple Intelligence.
Apple Intelligence Localization
Apple Intelligence currently only supports English, and in iOS 18.1 Beta 2, Apple has included new localized English versions for Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, India, and Singapore, in addition to the previously available localizations for the U.S., U.K., and Australia.
Siri Animation
I noticed that the Siri animation in iOS 18.1 Beta 2 is also bouncier compared to Beta 1. You can watch the comparison video through the X link below.
https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/1823717552696250867
Don’t forget follow @BetaProfiles on X to keep update.
That’s it! If you discover any other changes in iOS 18 Beta 6, or iPadOS 18 Beta 6, feel free to share with us by commenting below
