Apple has recently launched the beta cycle of iOS 18.2. This iOS 18 update is expected to be released later this year, and it mainly focuses on enhancing Apple Intelligence features. It also adds new functions for European users and more. This article covers everything you need to know about the new iOS 18.2 features coming to your iPhone soon.

Release date

If apple Follows the trend, iOS 18.2 should be released in December. So far, the company has only confirmed that the update will be available “soon.” BloombergK’s Mark Grumman believes that Apple will release the software in the first week of December, probably on December 2nd.

iOS 18.2 Beta 1 Features

We can divide the iOS 18.2 beta features into three parts: Apple Intelligence, EU changes, and general updates.

An extension of Apple Intelligence

• Genmoji Support: Create custom emojis by combining two figures; Users can type a prompt like “monkey with pink hat” to create a brand new emoji — here’s how to use Genmoji on your iPhone.
• Image Playground: Users can create playful images in moments, choosing from animation, reflection, or sketching. This app is built into apps like Direct Messages and is also available as a dedicated app.
• Chat GPT Integration: When you feel that Apple Intelligence is not enough, you can give ChatGPT access to writing tools and other features for a better response.
• Visual intelligence: It helps users to know about objects and places faster than ever before. Users can click the camera controls to pull up the hours or ratings of restaurants they pass by, add events from flyers to their calendar, quickly identify dogs by breed, and more.
• Image stick: “Rough sketches can be turned into pleasing images, and users can even select an empty space to draw using context from the surrounding area,” notes 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

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

Brand New Mail App: Mail is introducing new ways for users to manage their inboxes. On-device categorization prioritizes incoming emails for personal and time-sensitive emails, transactions for confirmations and receipts, updates for news and social notifications, and promotions for marketing emails and coupons. Sorts and arranges. Mail also includes a new digest view that brings together all relevant business emails, allowing users to quickly scan what’s important at the time.

Change default apps: iOS 18.2 beta 1 lets iPhone users change Messages and phone default apps.

Volume Limit: The Settings app now has a new volume limit control. It lets you limit how loud your iPhone’s speakers can play media.

Voice Memo: During the iPhone 16 event, Apple announced that the iPhone 16 Pro will get a Voice Memo 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.

Improvements to ChatGPT: Under Settings, Apple tells you how much you’ve 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 an item’s location with an “airline or trusted person.” This feature creates a link that gives someone easy access to your AirTag location.

Create image extensions: Another Apple Intelligence feature available with iOS 18.2 beta 2 is the ability to create a picture when you highlight text in the Notes app.

Camera Control Adaptation: iPhone 16 users now get a new AE/AF Lock toggle under Settings > Camera > Camera Controls, which adds another feature to 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 to how apps appear under Settings, and iPhone mirroring now works with using your iPhone as a hotspot for a Mac.

iOS 18.2 Beta 3 Features

As the beta test cycle continues, iOS 18.2 beta 3 brings a few other changes.

Photo App Adaptation: Videos don’t zoom in or out in the Photos app when you tap on them.

Camera Control: Apple added a new toggle when opening third-party apps with the Camera Control app. Users can choose to open the camera app only when the screen is on.

TV App Adaptation: As noted. 9to5Macthe TV app navigation bar can be customized. Users can choose their favorite shortcuts to display.

iPhone compatibility

Image source: José Adorno for BGR

iOS 18.2 beta 1 was only 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 offered compatibility with all iPhones supporting 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.