iOS 18.2 is currently in beta testing with a new set of Apple Intelligence features like Image Playground, ChatGPT integration, and Genmoji.
While these Apple Intelligence features are getting most of the attention, there are other notable features coming to iPhone next month. Here's an overview of all the non-AI features coming to your iPhone in iOS 18.2.
Table of Contents
- Which iPhones are getting iOS 18.2?
- New Features in iOS 18.2 (Non-AI)
- iPhone 16 Camera Control Updates
- Mail App Redesign
- Find My Updates
- Volume Limit Adjustment
- Volume Slider Returns to Lock Screen
- New Voice Memos Features
- Photos App Redesign
- And More
- iOS 18.2 Release Date
- Wrap Up
Which iPhones Will Get iOS 18.2?
iOS 18.2 is available for all iPhones that support iOS 18. Apple Intelligence features are, of course, still limited 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 generation)
- iPhone SE (3rd generation)
New Features in iOS 18.2 (Besides AI)
iPhone 16 Camera Control Updates
With iOS 18.2, there are three changes to the iPhone 16 camera controls:
- Two-Stage Shutter: Automatically locks focus and exposure on your subject when you lightly press. A full press will then take the actual picture.
- Double-Click Speed: Adjust the double-click speed of the camera control in Settings > Accessibility > Camera Control. You can choose between Default, Slow, and Slower.
- Require screen to turn on:One press of the camera controls will automatically open the Camera app whether your iPhone 16's screen is on or not, customizable in the Settings app.
Mail app redesign
iOS 18.2 brings big changes to the Mail app, including a new on-device categorization system that sorts your emails into four different categories:
- Essential: Personal and urgent emails
- Transactions: Confirmations and receipts
- Updates: News and social media notifications
- Promotions: Marketing emails and coupons
There are other changes in the Mail app in iOS 18.2. The update adds a new “digest view” that shows all the emails from a particular company. You can also choose to only show notification badges for unread messages in the Primary category.
Find My Upgrades
The Find My app now lets you share the location of a lost AirTag by creating a link, allowing someone else to help you find it.
This link can be shared with others to help you find your lost item. Using the link, people can access a website that displays the item’s location on an interactive map. The website is automatically updated with new locations and includes timestamps for the latest updates.
Apple also announced partnerships with more than 15 airlines to implement systems that will accept location links to help find lost luggage.
Setting the Volume Limit
In iOS 18.2, the Settings app introduces a new Volume Limit control for iPhone's built-in speaker. This feature lets you set a maximum volume limit for audio content like songs, movies, and other media. To access this option, go to the Settings app and select Sounds & Haptics.
Volume Slider Returns to the Lock Screen
iOS 18.2 lets you permanently add the volume slider back to your iPhone's Lock screen. This comes after iOS 16 removed the volume slider from the Lock screen except when using AirPlay.
Here's how to find this new setting:
- Open the Settings app
- Tap Accessibility
- Tap Audio & Video
- Turn Always Show Volume Control on or off
New Voice Memos Features
For iPhone 16 Pro users, iOS 18.2 introduces a more powerful Voice Memos experience. The feature lets you layer multiple tracks on top of each other, giving you more flexibility when recording and editing. You also have the ability to separate these layers after they’ve been recorded.
Changing the Photos app
In iOS 18.2, tapping on a video in the Photos app no longer zooms in or out. Instead, both the self-scrolling video and the gallery view at the bottom remain visible.
And more
- Apple says iOS 18.2 includes previously announced changes to the browser selection screen for iPhone users in the EU. The update also makes the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos and Safari apps uninstallable.
- iOS 18.2 allows users to set default apps for messaging and calling worldwide. This is controlled through the new Defaults menu in the Settings app.
- iOS 18.2 adds a new Type for Siri widget to Control Center.
- Under Settings > Apps > Safari now has a new option to import or export your browsing history and website data.
- You can now mark specific categories as favorites in the Podcasts app.
- You can now use iPhone Mirroring to use your iPhone as a hotspot for your Mac.
- The Fitness app now has new actions in the Shortcuts section.
iOS 18.2 release date
Apple has confirmed that iOS 18.2 will be released to everyone in December. Here's a timeline of when Apple released major iOS version updates in previous years:
- iOS 17.2: December 11, 2023
- iOS 16.2: December 13, 2022
- iOS 15.2: December 13, 2021
Wrapping Up
It's important to remember that iOS 18.2 is currently in beta. Some of these features may change before the update is actually released to everyone next month.
What are your favorite iOS 18.2 features? Let us know in the comments.
My favorite iPhone 16 accessories:
- Anker Power Bank with Built-in USB-C Cable
- Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe
- Carlinkit CarPlay Wireless Adapter
- Anker MagSafe Power Bank
