iOS 18.1 Beta 5 Features: Wi-Fi button, Control Center layout reset, iPhone mirroring improvements and more

Apple has released iOS 18.1 Beta 5 for developers with some new features improvements and optimizations that you should know about.

iOS 18.1 Beta 5 OTA focuses on the following features and settings:

• Control Center
• iPhone mirroring
• Settings
• Lock screen
• Shortcuts
• Messages
• Watch icon
• Text editing toolbar

Control Center – Two new controls

iOS 18.1 Beta 5 adds new Wi-Fi and VPN buttons in the control center gallery. You can now add them in the control enter with + button on the right-hand side of the control center.

These new additions are located under the Connectivity section of the control gallery or you can directly type their names in the search box.

The Settings app has added a new option to reset the control center layout in the Settings menu.

iPhone Mirroring – Drag and drop

iPhone mirroring on MacOS 15.1 Beta 5 brought a drag-and-drop capability to patch any content from your Mac to your iPhone. This would work on any app that supports copy-and-paste options.

You can use it on notes, and messages or send an image to the iPhone.

Apple Intelligence – Tidbits

A minor change was made in the Apple Intelligence settings, which now brings a dark icon in the settings.

Display Settings – Theme preview

The lock screen preview under Display and Brightness settings has been updated with iOS 18 wallpapers for light and dark themes. These were previously using iOS 17 wallpapers.

Lock Screen – Quick Note addition

The latest iOS 18.1 beta has a Quick Note button for the lock screen controls. This control was introduced with iOS 18.1 beta 2 but removed from new betas. However, it’s now back in the game.

Shortcuts – Add controls

With this, you can add control center controls in the Shortcut app. While adding, you will see three options – Show, Hide or Toggle.

Messages – AI Features Preview

The app splash screen introduces message summaries and smart replies. These features are using Apple Intelligence but the functionality is still missing.

Watch – New Icon

Apple has optimized the Watch app icon by removing the side button from the frame.

Editing Toolbar – Apple Intelligence

You can now select writing tools with the new Apple Intelligence icon added to the right side of the keyboard toolbar.