Apple’s next big software update, iOS 18.2, will bring more Apple Intelligence features to iPhones.
Soon, you’ll be able to create AI-generated emoji (or Genmoji as they are officially known), ask Siri to hand off more complex tasks to ChatGPT and use the redesigned Mail app.
While the first batch of AI perks were a bit underwhelming, the new updates are a lot more fun and eye-catching.
Once those crazy AI-generated emojis of guns, drugs and insinuating aubergines start doing the rounds, everyone will be talking about Apple Intelligence.
Here’s what you need to know about iOS 18.2, including its expected release date and features.
When is the iOS 18.2 release date?
iOS 18.2 has been available in beta for developers since late October and the public since early November.
After several weeks of testing, the software update is almost ready for its big debut. According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple could offer the release candidate from Tuesday, December 3.
This is usually the final beta version, which ends up as the public release unless any bugs are discovered, meaning the official launch is imminent.
And, with Apple’s habit of releasing iOS updates on a Monday, we can conclude that iOS 18.2 will arrive on December 9.
It is probably no coincidence that is also the date UK mobile network Three has announced it will turn on support for RCS (rich communication services).
With it, Three customers will be able to use more iMessage-style features when texting Android users, including things like typing indicators and the “delivered” status message.
Of course, Apple could push out the update on December 10 or 11 but either way it should drop next week.
What features does iOS 18.2 have?
So, what’s new? Once again, the headliners are the new Apple Intelligence features, which only work on the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max and iPhone 16 models.
Chief among them are new AI image-generating tools that let you whip up emojis and cartoonish pics with a short text description.
Just as with the other AI tricks, you’ll have to sign up to a waiting list to use the new tools. Once they’re ready, they’ll be available via the iPhone keyboard in the case of Genmoji, while image generation will be tucked away in the new Playground app.
Elsewhere, ChatGPT will be integrated with Siri, allowing Apple’s helper to parlay your queries directly to OpenAI’s large language model.
After you’ve grabbed iOS 18.2, Apple will prompt you to download the ChatGPT app and sign in with your account (this isn’t compulsory, but it’s the only way the chatbot will store your history).
Don’t forget, you can also type to Siri by double tapping the bottom of the iPhone screen.
Meanwhile, iPhone 16 owners can now point their camera at places and things to get more information with Visual Intelligence.
So, instead of looking up a restaurant on Google or Apple Maps, you can just hold the Camera Control button to fetch its opening hours, photos, reviews and contact details. It should feel familiar to anyone who has used Google Lens to look up fashion or translate text.
Lastly, the writing tools that came bundled with iOS 18.1 now include two new options: Describe Your Change and Compose, so you can ask either Apple’s AI model or ChatGPT to draft original text for you versus simply ghostwriting your emails or messages.
Beyond the AI stuff, there are also a bunch of regular updates that everyone can access. These include a redesigned Mail app that splits your emails into different categories; the ability to use Find My to share an item’s location with others; and projector support in tvOS.
