iOS 18.2 is now publicly available and introduces significant new Apple Intelligence functionalities.
While these Apple Intelligence features are receiving the majority of the spotlight, there are several other impressive additions available for your iPhone.
Which iPhones support iOS 18.2?
iOS 18.2 is accessible for all iPhones that can run iOS 18. However, the Apple Intelligence features are exclusive to the 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 (besides AI)
Camera Control enhancements for iPhone 16
iOS 18.2 introduces three modifications to the Camera Control on the iPhone 16:
- Two-stage shutter: Lock focus and exposure on a subject with a light press, and a full press will capture the image.
- Double-click speed: Adjust the speed of the Camera Control double-click via Settings > Accessibility > Camera Control. Options include Default, Slow, or Slower.
- Require Screen On: Automatically open the Camera app with a single press of the Camera Control, regardless of whether your iPhone 16’s screen is on, adjustable in the Settings app.
Revamped Mail app
The Mail app in iOS 18.2 features substantial updates, including a new on-device categorization system that organizes emails into four distinct categories:
- Primary: Important and personal emails
- Transactions: Receipts and confirmations
- Updates: Notifications from news and social media
- Promotions: Marketing communications and discounts
The update additionally introduces a “digest view” that compiles all emails from specific businesses. Users can choose to display notification badges only for unread messages in the “Primary” category.
Enhancements to Find My
The Find My app now allows users to share the location of a lost AirTag by generating a shareable link, facilitating assistance in locating it.
This link provides individuals access to an interactive map showing the item’s location, with real-time updates and timestamps of the latest location.
In addition, Apple has partnered with over 15 airlines to adopt systems that recognize location links for tracking lost luggage.
New Volume Limit feature
The Settings app in iOS 18.2 introduces a “Volume Limit” option for your iPhone’s built-in speaker, enabling users to set a maximum audio volume for playing songs, videos, and other media. To find this feature, go to the Settings app and select “Sounds and Haptics.”
Volume slider back on Lock Screen
iOS 18.2 allows you to permanently restore the volume slider to your iPhone’s Lock Screen, reversing the removal that took place in iOS 16 (which kept it visible only during AirPlay).
To enable this new setting, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app
- Select “Accessibility”
- Tap on “Audio and Visual”
- Turn the “Always Show Volume Control” option on or off
Enhanced Voice Memos features
iOS 18.2 offers a more advanced Voice Memos experience for iPhone 16 Pro users. Now, you can layer multiple tracks together, giving you greater control over recording and editing. Furthermore, users can separate these layers post-recording.
Changes in the Photos app
In iOS 18.2, tapping on a video in the Photos app does not trigger zooming anymore; instead, the video scrubber and the gallery view at the bottom remain visible.
Notable changes in the Photos app include:
- Improvements in video viewing, with the ability to scrub frame-by-frame and an option to disable auto-looping playback.
- Better navigation in Collections views, including swiping right to return to the previous view.
- Clear history option for Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums.
- The Favorites album is now found in the Utilities collection, alongside Pinned Collections.
Additional updates
- Voice Memos now support layered recordings, allowing you to add vocals to an existing track without needing headphones, and import multi-track projects directly into Logic Pro (iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max).
- iOS 18.2 includes changes to the browser choice screen for EU iPhone users, and also allows deletion of the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari apps.
- Users can now set default apps for Messaging and Calls worldwide through a new “Defaults” menu in the Settings app.
- The update adds a “Type to Siri” widget in the Control Center.
- A new option to import or export browsing history and website data is available in Settings > Apps > Safari.
- In the Podcasts app, users can now mark specific categories as favorites.
- iPhone mirroring can now be used while your iPhone acts as a hotspot for your Mac.
- New Shortcuts actions have been introduced for the Fitness app.
- Sudoku puzzles with three difficulty levels are available for News+ subscribers.
- Natural language search features in Apple Music and Apple TV, allowing users to search using various combinations of genres, moods, actors, decades, and more.
Conclusion
What are your favorite features in iOS 18.2? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
Check out my favorite accessories for the iPhone 16:
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