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You can also join the iOS 18 public beta to get the update.

If you have the tolerance for betas, indeed

Someone above said that the 18.7.3 you can install as beta is in fact the production build. Disable beta access after that update.

Correct, both are the same build (22H217). BetaWiki has this build labeled as both the RC and the actual release: https://betawiki.net/wiki/IOS_18

How do you do that? And do you need an AppleID to do so?

I don't believe an IPSW for 18.7.3 was released except for devices that couldn't upgrade to iOS 26. I believe this is done to prevent downgrades.

Apple doesn’t provide IPSWs once the next major version has launched. OTA is the only option.