Apple recently started the beta cycle of iOS 18.2. This iOS 18 update is expected to be released later this year, and it’s focused mainly on expanding Apple Intelligence features. It also adds new functions for European users and more. This write-up covers everything you need to know about the new iOS 18.2 features coming soon to your iPhone.
Release date
If Apple follows the trend, iOS 18.2 should be released in December. So far, the company has only confirmed that some of the features available in this beta will arrive “later this year.” Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman believes Apple will release this software in the first week of December, probably December 2nd.
iOS 18.2 beta 1 features
We can split iOS 18.2 beta features into three sections: Apple Intelligence, EU changes, and general updates.
Apple Intelligence Expansion
- Genmoji support: Create custom emojis by combining two figures; users can type a prompt like “monkey with pink hat” to make an entirely new emoji — here’s how to use Genmoji on your iPhone
- Image Playground: Users can create playful images in seconds, choosing from Animation, Illustration, or Sketch. This app is built right into apps like Messages and is also available in a dedicated app
- ChatGPT integration: When you feel Apple Intelligence isn’t enough, you can allow ChatGPT to access Writing Tools and other features for a better response
- Visual Intelligence: It helps users learn about objects and places faster than ever. Users can click and hold Camera Control to pull up the hours or ratings for a restaurant they pass, add an event from a flyer to their calendar, quickly identify a dog by breed, and more
- Image Wand: “Rough sketches can be turned into delightful images, and users can even select empty space to create an image using context from the surrounding area” in the Notes app
iOS 18.2 beta 1 also expands Apple Intelligence support to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.
General Features
All-new Mail app: Mail is introducing new ways for users to manage their inboxes. On-device categorization organizes and sorts incoming emails into Primary for personal and time-sensitive emails, Transactions for confirmations and receipts, Updates for news and social notifications, and Promotions for marketing emails and coupons. Mail also features a new digest view that pulls together all of the relevant emails from a business, allowing users to quickly scan for what’s important at the moment.
Change default apps: iOS 18.2 beta 1 lets iPhone users change the Messages and Phone default apps.
Volume Limit: The Settings app now has a new Volume Limit control. This lets you limit how loud your iPhone speakers can play media.
Voice Memos: During the iPhone 16 event, Apple announced the iPhone 16 Pro would get a Voice Memos upgrade. With iOS 18.2, users can layer multiple tracks on top of each other.
iOS 18.2 beta 2 features
With iOS 18.2 beta 2, Apple made this build available to developers with all iOS 18-compatible devices. Previously, only Apple Intelligence-compatible devices could download the first testing version.
ChatGPT improvements: Under Settings, Apple tells you how much you have used the free version of ChatGPT and prompts you to upgrade to a + subscription.
Find My changes: With beta 2, Apple offers the option to Share Item Location with an “airline or trusted person.” This feature creates a link that lets someone easily access your AirTag’s location.
Create Images expansion: Another Apple Intelligence feature available with iOS 18.2 beta 2 is the ability to create an image when you highlight text in the Notes app.
Camera Control tweaks: iPhone 16 users now get a new AE/AF Lock toggle under Settings > Camera > Camera Control, offering yet another feature for this technology.
iOS 18.2 beta 2 also offers other tweaks and improvements. Apple says it has improved battery life and device temperature; in Dark Mode, Apple added tweaks on how the apps look under Settings, and iPhone Mirroring now works with your iPhone being used as a hotspot for the Mac.
iPhone compatibility
So far, iOS 18.2 beta 1 is compatible with iPhones that support Apple Intelligence:
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max
Beta 2 is compatible with all iPhones that support iOS 18:
- iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd gen)
- iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
Wrap up
BGR will update this article as we learn more about upcoming iOS 18.2 features through this beta cycle.
