Apple recently released iOS 18.2 beta 2 to developers under build number 22C5125e. While an official public beta release date has not been confirmed, the first public beta may arrive as early as this week. All iOS 18-compatible devices support the update, though Apple Intelligence AI features remain exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 models.
Enhanced Siri and ChatGPT Integration
One of the notable updates from iOS 18.2 beta 1 continues in this release, with expanded ChatGPT integration into Siri. Users can now sign into their ChatGPT account in Siri settings to access ChatGPT Plus features. With this latest beta, you can also subscribe to ChatGPT Plus directly in the device settings. This update allows users to track their current ChatGPT usage level and monitor proximity to their usage limits, giving them more control over their experience with AI-driven responses.
New Create Image Feature and Find My Enhancements
iOS 18.2 beta 2 introduces a new Create Image feature in the Notes app. When text is selected, a Create Image option appears in the copy-and-paste menu. This feature utilizes Image Playground to generate illustrations based on the selected text, making Notes a versatile tool for combining text and images—a valuable addition for multimedia notes.
The Find My app now includes expanded functionality for sharing the location of lost items. Users can generate a link to send to someone who can then track the lost item via a web browser, even if they do not have an Apple device. This feature is particularly useful for sharing item locations with airline staff or trusted individuals. Access to location data is limited, maintaining privacy and security.
Improved Mail Notifications and Visual Updates
In the Mail app, users can now limit notification icons for unread messages to the Primary category. This feature, available in Settings, is part of iOS 18.2‘s new Mail design, which organizes emails into Primary, Transactions, Updates, and Promotions categories. This enhancement helps users focus on essential messages without unnecessary notifications.
Apple has also updated the Settings app icons, aligning them with the device’s color theme and providing a cohesive design across the interface, adds NIX Solutions. These icons have a darker background, particularly optimized for iPhone 16 models, enhancing visual consistency and user experience.
Advanced Camera Controls and Additional Enhancements
For iPhone 16 users, iOS 18.2 beta 2 includes specialized camera controls. Users can lock focus and exposure by pressing the camera button lightly until they fully press or release it. Another update in the Camera Control section of Settings > Accessibility allows for adjusting the speed of double-pressing the camera control button, with options for Default, Slow, and Slower modes. These changes offer greater customization for photography.
Other updates in iOS 18.2 beta 2 include the ability to mirror an iPhone screen when used as a hotspot for a Mac. Additionally, new actions for the Fitness app are available in Shortcuts, and Utah-based iPhone users have new content restriction settings for users under 17, including adult content filtering.
Overall, iOS 18.2 beta 2 brings both innovative and practical features, showcasing Apple’s commitment to refining the user experience. As Apple releases more updates, we’ll keep you updated on any further developments.