After a beta phase lasting several weeks, Apple announced in the afternoon that it would release iOS 18.2 today. We don't see any indication of the new version in the Settings app yet; you can usually expect such updates around 6 p.m. in the evening.
Although iOS 18.1 was the first version with Apple Intelligence for supported iPhones in October, many of the most exciting features will only appear with iOS 18.2. Requirement: You use your iPhone outside the EU – Apple Intelligence will not be available on the iPhone here until April 2025. However, if you have a Mac, you can switch it to US English and then install Apple Intelligence.
The average user probably reacted to the first Apple Intelligence functions in iOS 18.1 with a raised eyebrow and the question “Is that all?” On the other hand, iOS 18.2 delivers significantly more: Visual Intelligence, Genmoji, the “Image Playground” app, the new email -App with AI sorted categories and integration with Chat-GPT.
Although Siri's interface has changed in iOS 18.1, the new, smarter Siri is a long time coming. This function will probably be delayed until iOS 18.3 or 18.4, around March 2025. But iOS 18.2 also significantly expands Apple Intelligence.
There is also a new secondary waiting list. The initial waitlist for Apple Intelligence features in iOS 18.1 gives you access to Chat-GPT integration, Visual Intelligence, and new Writing Tools features. For the image generation features – Genmoji, Image Playground and the Image Wand tool – you must be placed on a second waiting list.
iOS 18.2: All new features
New writing tools: Instead of just choosing whether you want to make text more professional, casual, or concise, you now have a text field where you can describe how you want to transform the text. Examples: Make it a poem, include lots of dad jokes, or use a lot of sarcasm.
Genmoji: Create new emojis directly on the system keyboard.
Picture playground: Generate new images based on text input. Apple suggests new costumes, items, or locations, making suggestions based on the context of a message thread or note in the Notes app. The images can be based on people you know if you use identified images in photos. The images are limited to cartoon or illustrative style and are not realistic.
Visual Intelligence: Only for iPhone 16 (Professional). Press and hold the camera controls to get additional information about a location, translate a sign or poster, recognize phone numbers and addresses to quickly add them to your contacts, and more. You can also ask Chat-GPT what's on the screen or do a Google image search if you want.
Image stick: An offshoot of Image Playground that uses Apple's imaging tools to create an image in a free area of a note in the Notes app, using context from the surrounding area and the rest of the note. Start with a blank area or your own rough sketch.
Chat GPT integration: If Siri can't answer a question, it now has the option to ask Chat-GPT. You must grant permission for each request and only limited data will be shared. You do not need to register with Chat-GPT, but you can do so if you want to die or have a premium account with Chat-GPT that you would like to use. You can ask Siri to have Chat-GPT generate images, and use Chat-GPT in Writing Tools to generate text as well.
In addition to the new user features, there are new developer tools for integrating image generation and writing tools into third-party apps. Apple Intelligence is available in English in this version for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Kingdom.
Delete default apps in the EU: Users in the EU now have the option of completely deleting standard apps such as camera, mail, iMessage or telephone and installing an alternative instead. Apple also has a whole level below Settings > Apps > Default apps introduced, which is now released for third-party apps. In addition to alternative browsers, the mail client, the telephone app and the password app can be set centrally there.
Install iOS 18.2
As soon as Apple releases the download, you will find the installer in the app settings under “General > Software Update”. Simply tap “Install Now” and follow the on-screen instructions. Before the update, it is recommended to create a backup in iCloud or on the computer.
This article first appeared at our sister publication Macworld and was translated and written from English.
