Tech Desk 
Jul 30, 2025
Apple has officially launched the iOS 18.6 update for iPhone users, while the company’s main focus remains on delivering new features in iOS 26.
The Cupertino-based tech giant revealed that there is a new user experience when installing alternative app marketplaces from the web, apps from the web, or the developer's apps.
iOS 18.6 update
According to Apple's release notes, several user experiences have been updated in iOS 18.6. The updated experience also applies to instances of installing an app from a developer's website.
In addition, the Cupertino-based tech giant will release an API later this year which allows developers to start downloading alternatively distributed apps they publish from within their already-published app.
For iOS and iPadOS users in the EU, the updates also include a mechanism for downloading alternate app stores and for installing apps directly from websites, following the EU's Digital Markets Act.
The iOS 18.6 update carries important bug fixes and security updates. Among them is a fix for an issue in the Photos app, which resulted in memory movies from being shared.
How to install iOS 18.6 update on iPhone
To install the update on your iPhone, open the Settings app and tap on General > Software Update > Install Now. The update is available for iPhone XS and later handsets.
Apple is likely to sunset the development of future iterations of the iOS 18 firmware, with iOS 26 on track for a September release alongside the upcoming iPhone 17 series.
