Apple has released the third beta versions of multiple of its operating systems across its entire ecosystem. The company simultaneously released iOS 18.6 beta 3, iPadOS 18.6 beta 3, macOS 15.6 beta 3, tvOS 18.6 beta 3, watchOS 11.6 beta 3, and visionOS 2.6 beta 3. This is most likely to be the final developer's beta.
The iOS 18.6 beta 3 and iPadOS 18.6 beta 3 both arrive with the same build number, 22G5073b. Both betas have been made available to developers through the standard Software Update mechanism in the Settings app.
macOS 15.6 beta 3 continues the desktop testing cycle with build number 24G5074c. The third beta for macOS Sequoia comes as Apple prepares to wind down work on the current macOS version to focus on macOS Tahoe, aka macOS 26, the next major version set for release this fall, with or around the release of the upcoming iPhone 17 lineup in September. No new features were found in the first two betas of macOS 15.6, which means these are maintenance-focused updates.
The latest beta updates also include tvOS 18.6 beta 3 (build 22M5074b), which improves system stability and performance for Apple TV after the release of 18.5. visionOS 2.6 beta 3 (build 22O5773b) is running alongside the more feature-rich and newer visionOS 26 beta testing. Finally, watchOS 11.6 beta 3 (build 22U5074b) with no major new features identified in the latest betas as well.
These updates are basically focusing on bug fixes and minor improvements, as it's the end of the iOS 18 series, and new features are saved for the upcoming iOS 26 series, where all the Apple OSes will be getting a uniform numeral, i.e., 26, expected to launch in September. The final versions of these 18.6 updates are expected to be released to the public late in July or August 2025.
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