iOS 18.2: Exciting New Features for Your iPhone Beyond AI

iOS 18.2: Exciting New Features for Your iPhone Beyond AI

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The iOS 18.2 update is now accessible for all users and features significant enhancements to Apple Intelligence capabilities.

While the spotlight is on these new Apple Intelligence features, there are several other important enhancements now available for your iPhone.

Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 18.2?

All iPhones capable of running iOS 18 can upgrade to iOS 18.2. However, the advanced Apple Intelligence features are limited to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and all models of iPhone 16.

  • 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 Improvements for iPhone 16

iOS 18.2 introduces three enhancements for Camera Control on the iPhone 16:

  • Two-stage shutter: Lightly press to lock focus and exposure on a subject. A full press captures the image.
  • Double-click speed: Customize the Camera Control double-click speed in Settings > Accessibility > Camera Control. Options include Default, Slow, and Slower.
  • Require Screen On: The Camera app will launch with a single press of Camera Control, irrespective of your iPhone 16’s screen status, adjustable in Settings.

Revamped Mail App

Updated Mail app in iOS 18.2

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 time-sensitive emails
  • Transactions: Order confirmations and receipts
  • Updates: News and social media alerts
  • Promotions: Advertisements and discount offers

Additional improvements to the Mail app include a new “digest view,” allowing you to see all emails from a particular company and the ability to receive notification badges solely for unread messages in the “Primary” category.

Find My Enhancements

New Find My features in iOS 18.2

The Find My app now offers the ability to share the location of a misplaced AirTag by creating a link, allowing someone else to assist you in locating it.

This link can be shared to help track the lost item. Recipients can access a web page displaying the item’s location on an interactive map, which updates in real-time and includes timestamps for the latest positions.

Additionally, Apple has collaborated with over 15 airlines to implement systems for accepting these location links to assist in tracking lost luggage.

Volume Limit Control


With iOS 18.2, the Settings app offers a new “Volume Limit” feature for the iPhone’s integrated speaker, which lets you establish a maximum volume for audio playback including music, movies, and more. To use this feature, go to the Settings app and select “Sounds and Haptics.”

Volume Slider Back on the Lock Screen


The iOS 18.2 update allows you to permanently restore the volume slider to the Lock Screen, a change from iOS 16 where the slider was removed unless using AirPlay.

To find this new setting, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app
  2. Select “Accessibility”
  3. Click on “Audio and Visual”
  4. Toggle the “Always Show Volume Control” setting on or off

Enhanced Voice Memos Features

For users of the iPhone 16 Pro, the iOS 18.2 update enhances the Voice Memos experience by enabling you to layer multiple recordings for more complex editing. Furthermore, you can separate these layered recordings after they are captured.

Changes in the Photos App


In iOS 18.2, clicking on a video in the Photos app no longer zooms in or out; both the video scrubber and the gallery view at the bottom will remain visible.

Additional enhancements to the Photos app include:

  • Improvements in video viewing, featuring frame-by-frame scrubbing and an option to disable auto-looping playback.
  • Enhanced navigation within Collections views, allowing you to swipe back to the previous view.
  • The ability to clear history from Recently Viewed and Recently Shared albums.
  • The Favorites album has moved to the Utilities collection alongside Pinned Collections.

And More

  • Voice Memos now facilitates layered recordings, enabling you to add vocals over existing tracks without headphones – you can later import these two-track projects into Logic Pro (iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max).
  • iOS 18.2 brings previously announced updates to the browser choice screen for EU users and allows the deletion of the App Store, Messages, Camera, Photos, and Safari apps.
  • Users can now set default apps for Messaging and Calling globally, manageable via a new “Defaults” menu in Settings.
  • A new “Type to Siri” widget has been added to Control Center.
  • In Settings > Apps > Safari, you’ll find an option to import or export browsing history and website data.
  • The Podcasts app now allows you to mark specific categories as favorites.
  • iOS 18.2 supports iPhone Mirroring while using your iPhone as a hotspot for your Mac.
  • New Shortcuts actions are available for the Fitness app.
  • Sudoku puzzles with three difficulty levels are now accessible for News+ subscribers.
  • Natural language search in Apple Music and the Apple TV app enables users to describe what they’re searching for across various categories such as genres, moods, actors, and decades.

Conclusion

What features of iOS 18.2 do you find most appealing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Check out my favorite accessories for the iPhone 16:

: . More.

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