iOS 18.2 beta 3 isn't littered with tons of changes for users to experience like the previous two iOS 18.2 betas, but there are a few interesting changes. Along with a new camera control tweak for iPhone 16 users, the third 18.2 developer beta includes a new customizable tab bar for the TV app on iPad and a much-needed update to the video playback UI in the Photos app. Check out our video tutorial for more details.
What's new in iOS 18.2 beta 3?
Camera controls – require screen to turn on
As 9to5Mac Editor-in-Chief Chance Miller explains, iOS 18.2 beta 3 includes a new setting for iPhone 16 users related to camera controls. In previous versions of iOS, attempting to launch a customized camera app using the camera control button required two presses while the screen was off – one press to wake the device, and one press to launch the camera app. iOS 18.2 beta 3 includes a new setting to change this behavior.
By going to Settings → Display & Brightness, you'll find a new toggle called “Require Screen to Turn On” at the bottom of the page. This toggle, which is on by default, can be turned off to allow a single press of the camera button to launch the camera app, even when the iPhone's screen is off.
Video: iOS 18.2 beta 3 changes/features
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Video Playback UI Update in Photos
Perhaps the most notable change in iOS 18.2 developer beta 3 is the update to the video playback UI in the Photos app. iOS 18 introduced a UI that hid the thumbnail previews of other photos when viewing a full-screen video. iOS 18.2 solves this problem by overlaying the thumbnails on top of the video, making it easy to navigate between other content while watching a video.
Writing Tools Copy and Paste Menu Update
When you open the copy and paste menu while selecting text, the Writing Tools option now appears in the first section of the menu. In previous versions of iOS, you had to scroll through the menu to find Writing Tools.
Find My – ‘Share Item Location’ details
Apple has provided new details about the Share Item Location feature that first debuted in the second developer beta of iOS 18.2. New details about participating airlines, functionality, and device compatibility were noted in the press release. This and other flagship iOS 18.2 features like ChatGPT integration are expected to launch next month, possibly as early as the week of December 2.
iPadOS 18.2 beta 3 Customizable Tab Bar for TV App
Finally, iPadOS 18.2 beta 3 brings a new customizable tab bar to the TV app. These custom tab bars aren’t new, as apps like Music have had them since the launch of iOS 18. But until now, the TV app hasn’t had one that can be customized using elements of the traditional sidebar that appears on the left side of the display area.
The customizable tab bar in the TV app is especially useful given the wide variety of channel integrations and filters available for the TV show and movie collections.
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9to5Mac's Take
As we highlighted in our iOS 18.2 beta 1 and beta 2 reviews, ChatGPT integration is undoubtedly a standout feature and an important part of the second phase of Apple Intelligence rollout. But these other new additions, especially the fix to the Photos app, are notable changes that will make iOS better. What do you think? Let us know in the comments.
