Today, Apple has announced the release of iOS 18.2 for iPhone users. This update introduces significant enhancements, including new Apple Intelligence features, improvements to Camera Control on the iPhone 16, a redesigned Mail app, and much more. Continue reading for a comprehensive overview of all the features in iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2.
iOS 18.2 is out now
The iOS 18.2 update is being rolled out to all eligible users. To check if it’s available, navigate to the Settings app, select General, and then tap Software Update. If you don’t see iOS 18.2 immediately, try checking back throughout the day.
Which iPhones support iOS 18.2?
The iOS 18.2 update is available for all iPhones that can run iOS 18. However, specific Apple Intelligence features are exclusive to iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all iPhone 16 models.
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 and 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 and 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14 and 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd gen)
- iPhone SE (3rd gen)
New features in iOS 18.2
New Apple Intelligence features
A notable addition in iOS 18.2 is the introduction of new Apple Intelligence features like Genmoji, Image Playground, integration with ChatGPT, and more.
- Image Playground
- An innovative app that allows users to create playful images using concepts, descriptions, and items from their photo library in various styles.
- Users can scroll through previews and select images while adding concepts to their playground.
- Animation and illustration styles are available for image creation.
- Images can be made in Messages, Freeform, and third-party applications.
- All creations are synchronized across devices in the Image Playground library via iCloud.
- Genmoji
- Genmoji allows users to craft custom emojis directly from the keyboard.
- Created Genmoji can be synced across devices via iCloud within the sticker drawer.
- ChatGPT Integration
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT is now accessible directly through Siri or Writing Tools.
- The Writing Tools feature allows users to create original content by utilizing ChatGPT.
- Siri can make use of ChatGPT to provide relevant answers.
- A ChatGPT account is not necessary, and user requests will remain anonymous, ensuring privacy and security of the information.
- If you have a ChatGPT account, you can log in to gain additional benefits, with requests governed by OpenAI’s data policies.
- Image Wand can convert your sketches and typed or handwritten notes into images within the Notes app.
- The “Describe your change” feature in Writing Tools allows you to specify how you’d like something to be rewritten, even as a poem.
Updates to Camera Control
iOS 18.2 enhances the Camera Control functionalities specifically for the iPhone 16. The update introduces Visual Intelligence, which can be activated by long-pressing the Camera Control. Simply point the iPhone’s camera at an object to gather information about it.
- Visual Intelligence allows users to learn about their surroundings or obtain information by pointing the iPhone’s camera, with options to search on Google or ChatGPT.
- Two-stage shutter for Camera Control enables focus and exposure lock with light pressure on the button.
- Camera Control double-click speed: Customize the double-click speed of the Camera Control in Settings > Accessibility > Camera Control with options for Default, Slow, or Slower.
- Require Screen On: Adjust the setting so that a single press of the Camera Control will open the Camera app, regardless of the iPhone 16’s screen status.
Mail app improvements in iOS 18.2
The Mail app received a substantial redesign in iOS 18.2, sorting messages into four distinct categories:
- Primary: Personal and urgent emails.
- Transactions: Confirmations and receipts.
- Updates: Notifications from news and social media.
- Promotions: Marketing emails and promotional offers.
If users find an email miscategorized, they can manually change its category, and this preference will apply to future messages from that sender. Additionally, a new “digest view” compiles all emails from a particular business, with notification badges only for unread messages within the “Primary” category.
Changes to the Photos app in iOS 18.2
The iOS 18 update introduced a revamped design for the Photos app, and iOS 18.2 includes several adjustments based on user feedback:
- Enhanced viewing for videos, allowing for frame-by-frame scrubbing and settings to disable auto-looping during playback.
- Improved navigation in Collections views, including the ability to swipe back to the previous view.
- The ability to clear the history of the Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums.
- The Favorites album is now visible within the Utilities collection as well as in Pinned Collections.
Updates to Find My
With iOS 18.2, the Find My app has received noteworthy updates, allowing you to share the location of a misplaced AirTag or another Find My item via a link. This link can be shared with others to assist in locating the lost item, giving them access to an interactive map that displays the item’s location, which updates automatically and includes timestamps for the last updates.
Additionally, Apple has partnered with over 15 airlines to implement systems that utilize location links, aiding in tracking lost luggage.
Safari updates
The iOS 18.2 release notes highlight new features for Safari, including added customization options and a Live Activity feature for:
- New background images to personalize your Safari Start Page.
- Import and Export functionality for transferring browsing data from other applications into Safari.
- HTTPS Priority, which upgrades URLs to HTTPS wherever possible.
- A Live Activity for file downloads, displaying the download progress in the Dynamic Island and on the home screen.
Miscellaneous updates in iOS 18.2
Alongside these significant feature updates, iOS 18.2 also includes a multitude of smaller enhancements. Here’s a detailed list:
- Voice Memos now supports layered recording, allowing users to add vocals over an existing song idea without needing headphones, and import two-track projects directly into Logic Pro (compatible with iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max).
- You can set the volume slider to always appear on your iPhone’s Lock Screen. To enable this, go to Settings, Accessibility, Audio and Visual, and toggle “Always Show Volume Control.”
- The previously mentioned modifications to the browser choice screen for iPhone users in the EU are now active. This update also allows for the deletion of the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari apps.
- Users can now set default apps for Messaging and Calling globally, managed through a new “Defaults” menu in the Settings app.
- iOS 18.2 features a new “Type to Siri” widget in Control Center.
- A new “Volume Limit” feature in Settings allows users to set a maximum volume for audio playback through the built-in speaker while listening to music, watching videos, or other media.
- A new option within Settings > Apps > Safari enables users to import or export browsing history and website data.
- The Podcasts app now allows users to mark particular categories as favorites.
- iPhone Mirroring can now be utilized while using your iPhone as a hotspot for your Mac.
- New Shortcuts actions have been added for the Fitness app.
- Natural language search in Apple Music and the Apple TV app lets users search using descriptions based on categories like genres, moods, actors, decades, etc.
- In Podcasts, Favorite Categories enable users to select preferred categories for curated show recommendations accessible in their Library.
- The personalized Search page in Podcasts showcases the most relevant categories along with curated collections tailored for users.
- Sudoku puzzles for News+ is now offered in three difficulty levels for subscribers.
- Hearing Test functionality is available on AirPods Pro 2 in several countries, including Cyprus, Czechia, France, Italy, Luxembourg, Romania, Spain, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
- Hearing Aid support is now available for AirPods Pro 2 in the United Arab Emirates.
- Pre-market price quotes in Stocks enable tracking of NASDAQ and NYSE tickers ahead of market opening.
Apple has detailed two bug fixes included in iOS 18.2:
- Addresses a problem where recently captured photos were not displaying immediately in the All Photos grid.
- Corrects an issue where Night mode photos in Camera could appear degraded during long exposure captures (applicable to iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max).
DMN’s Perspective
iOS 18.1 introduced a range of new features like Apple Intelligence, Writing Tools, notification summaries, and a revamped Siri design. iOS 18.2 builds on this strong foundation, marking Apple’s first significant venture into image generation technology.
Genmoji stands out in iOS 18.2, making emoji creation a fun and easy task. Its integration into the keyboard simplifies the process—searching for an unavailable emoji provides the option to create one seamlessly through Genmoji.
Another notable feature is the Image Playground, which is deeply integrated into iOS. This feature is accessible as a standalone app and is integrated into messaging and other applications. While the images generated in Image Playground aren’t groundbreaking, they are enjoyable and easy to create, tapping into your Photos library to generate images involving friends and family. The feature balances quality and speed nicely.
Additionally, iOS 18.2 allows users to utilize ChatGPT through Siri, offering a useful alternative when Siri struggles with specific questions. Importantly, users don’t need to sign in to use ChatGPT, ensuring conversation records remain confidential, with IP addresses remaining protected.
If users opt to log into ChatGPT, they can experience higher usage limits, and all requests will adhere to OpenAI’s data-use policies. Apple has successfully integrated ChatGPT into Siri while upholding strong privacy measures. However, there is hope for Apple to develop its own in-house capabilities for this soon. A refinement of the “Type to Siri” feature would also enhance the user experience for longer conversations, as the current interface is not conducive to extended discussions.
For a more in-depth analysis, my colleague Federico Viticci at MacStories offers an intriguing dive into Siri and ChatGPT’s collaboration, which I highly recommend.
While more features for Apple Intelligence are anticipated in future updates like iOS 18.3, the current suite is impressively robust as we approach the end of 2024. The range of new features in iOS 18.1 and 18.2 means that users will likely find several ways that Apple Intelligence enhances their daily lives.
iOS 18.2 is not just a collection of updates focused on Apple Intelligence; it also encompasses various enhancements. The updates to the Find My ecosystem simplify the process of locating lost items. The Photos app changes effectively address user feedback while preserving a solid redesign. Although the Mail app’s categorization features might not align perfectly with my email habits, Apple has made it easy to revert to a single inbox display.
What are your thoughts on iOS 18.2 and the evolving landscape of Apple Intelligence? Are you finding these features beneficial in your daily use? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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