Apple is currently beta testing iOS 18.6, expected to launch within the next month. Unlike the major iOS 26 update planned for this fall, iOS 18.6 will primarily focus on bug fixes and system stability. However, Apple has announced two notable new features specifically for users in the European Union.
The update includes improvements to installing third-party app marketplaces and apps directly from the web on iPhone and iPad. These changes follow new EU regulations affecting App Store policies and user experience.
Previously, iOS allowed web-based installation of third-party apps and marketplaces but presented warning screens that regulators found problematic. With iOS 18.6, Apple will introduce a smoother process:
- When installing a third-party app marketplace from the web, the experience will be streamlined.
- For apps installed from the web, a new two-stage disclosure process will appear. The first installation from a developer includes a detailed consent procedure, while subsequent installs from the same developer will be faster and simpler.
Essentially, future installations of web apps from known developers should be as convenient as downloading apps from Apple’s App Store.
No other features for iOS 18.6 have been disclosed yet, though the update may also introduce Apple Intelligence support in China for the first time.