When iOS 18.2 launches on all iPhones on Monday, it will add a ton of cool new features. Most of the focus is on the new Apple Intelligence features, and for good reason. AI is a big marketing pillar for Apple, but features are rolled out incrementally over several months. iOS 18.2 (and macOS 15.2) adds the long-awaited Image Tool and ChatGPT integration, making Apple Intelligence even more useful.
But if you don’t have an iPhone 16 or iPhone 15 Pro (or don’t care about AI), none of that matters to you. Fortunately, iOS 18.2 is more than just a version of Apple Intelligence; it also adds a number of quality-of-life features and changes. All the new features in iOS 18.2 that have nothing to do with Apple Intelligence have been added to the iPhone.
Improved camera control
After months of criticism, Apple has made several tweaks to the camera control buttons in iOS 18.2 for users using the iPhone 16. First, a long press on the button will launch the new Visual Intelligence feature.
But there are other areas where your quality of life improves. in setting > accessibility > camera control You can adjust the double-click speed. You can also enable autofocus/exposure lock in Settings > camera > camera controlSo a quick press of the button locks exposure and focus, just like you would normally press the shutter button on a DLSR.
Lastly, there’s a new toggle that requires the screen to be on for the camera control buttons to launch the camera app. You can check it in Settings >. Display and brightnessIt’s kind of a confusing place.
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New mail app with smart categories
The Mail app analyzes email content and automatically classifies it into four categories:
- major: This is your personal email or email that requires immediate action.
- work: Receipts, order confirmations, delivery notifications, etc.
- Update: News and newsletters, social media notifications and more.
- Promotion: Coupons, marketing offers and more.
The four categories exist as buttons at the top of the mail app, and you can slide the categories to the left to display all mail.
No, Apple doesn’t read your emails. All of this happens on your device.
Volume limit and lock screen slider
at setting > Sound and Haptics The menu features a new volume limiter for the iPhone’s built-in speakers (volume limits for headphones have been around for a long time). This only affects media playback and does not affect calls/FaceTime, notifications, or system sounds.
There are also new options in Settings >. accessibility > audio and video It’s called “Always show volume control.” This will place the volume control slider back at the bottom of the media playback controls on the lock screen. That volume slider was removed in iOS 16 (unless you use AirPlay), but if you missed it, it’s back now.
Default messaging and calling apps
Settings in iOS 18.2 > app A new selection called Default apps will appear at the top, before the list of installed apps.
This menu selects default applications for email, browser, passwords and codes, etc. Most of these are options you’ve used before (scattered throughout Settings), but Messages and Calls are new.
There are currently no qualified applications to fill these areas, but this is probably a matter of existing apps needing new versions using the new framework.
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Sudoku Puzzle on News+
If you’re a News+ subscriber, you can access several puzzles in the News app. Apple publishes daily crosswords, crossword minis, and word games called Quartiles.
Daily Sudoku puzzles have now been added to the list. Easy, medium and challenging puzzles are provided every day.
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Share AirTag item location
You could share AirTags with other iPhone users, but this is only really helpful for family or trusted friends.
In iOS 18.2, Apple will allow you to create a secure link that you can share with others to view your AirTag’s location. You can open an AirTag on any device, and even see its location in a web browser on any computer.
The link automatically expires after 7 days or when the AirTag is reunited with its owner, and of course the owner can turn off sharing at any time.
Additionally, Apple is working with several major airlines to make this sharing process part of their customer service flow for lost baggage.
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Estimated charging time?
It’s not yet available in the iOS 18.2 beta, but 9to5Mac found code that suggests Apple will soon show how much longer your iPhone can last before being fully charged. This is a feature that has existed on Android phones for some time, and would be a welcome addition to the iPhone.
However, the feature first appeared in one of the early iOS 18.2 beta codes and has not yet been activated. It’s likely to become active when iOS 18.2 is released to everyone on Monday. If you’re not expecting it, it’ll be out in iOS 18.3 around February.
