iOS 16.2 is now available to everyone after several weeks of beta testing. Starting today, iPhone users around the world can now upgrade to iOS 16.2 with new features such as Apple Music Sing, enhanced encryption features for iCloud, the new Freeform collaboration app, and more. Below you'll find an overview of everything new in iOS 16.2.
Content
- How to install iOS 16.2
- What's new in iOS 16.2?
- Freeform
- Apple Music Sing
- Enhanced data protection for iCloud
- Changes to the lock screen and iPhone 14 Pro’s Always – On Display
- New restrictions for AirDrop
- Other changes and features
How to install iOS 16.2
iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 are available for all iPhone and iPad models starting today. You can update by going to the Settings app, selecting General, and then selecting Software Update. If you don't see the update right away, be sure to keep checking back as it can sometimes take a few minutes for all iPhones and iPads to install. Updates are expected to be available to everyone within the hour.
Once you begin the installation process, your iPhone or iPad will download the update and then prompt you to restart your device to complete the process. Keep in mind that your device will be unusable while it reboots to install the update.
What's new in iOS 16.2?
Freeform
First, iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 include the addition of a brand new app Apple Collaboration Freeform. Freeform, first introduced at WWDC in June, is a real-time canvas collaboration application available on all Apple platforms. Apple explains:
- Freeform is a new app for getting creative with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad, and iPhone.
- A flexible canvas lets you add files, images, stickers, and more other.
- The drawing tools let you draw anywhere on the canvas with your finger.
Watch the video above and our full review to learn more about Apple's new Freeform app.
Apple Music Sing
Apple Music Sing is another big feature in iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2. Apple announced this last week and will add karaoke features to Apple Music.
You can access new customizable vocals and rhythm lyrics for supported songs by tapping on the existing lyrics button in the Music app. From there, you can increase or decrease the volume of the song's vocals as you and those around you sing along.
- A new way to sing along to millions of your favorite songs in Apple Music
- Fully customizable vocals let you duet with the original artist, sing solo or mix
- Re-improved lyrics make it even easier to follow the music.
Learn more about Apple Music Sing in our complete guide right here.
Advanced Data Protection for iCloud
Also announced last week that Advanced Data Protection is a new option for iCloud that extends end-to-end encryption to more types of data and services. This feature is currently not available and you can turn it on in the Settings app by tapping your name at the top and then selecting “iCloud”
- The new setting increases the total number of categories of iCloud data protected with end-to-end encryption to 23, including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos, protecting your information even when in the cloud.
Learn more about advanced protection data and some limitations associated with its inclusion, read our full guide.
Changes to the lock screen and iPhone 14 Pro’ s Always On Display
With iOS 16.2, Apple continues to improve the new iOS 16 lock screen customization features, as well as the iPhone 14 Pro always-on display. There are new sleep and medication widgets for the lock screen, expanding the collection of widgets originally included in iOS 16.
Perhaps most notably, however, you can now set your iPhone 14 Pro to always be. -On Display to completely hide wallpapers or notifications. To find these new options, go to the Settings app, tap “Display & Brightness” and select “Always-On Display” In this menu you will see new toggles for “Show wallpaper” and “Show notifications”
This change came in response to criticism from some iPhone 14 Pro users who called the Always-On Display “too on.” If you turn off the wallpaper and notification features, your iPhone 14 Pro's always-on display will show a pure black design along with lock screen widgets and the time. This is similar to what is offered by many Android devices.
Apple explains:
- New settings let you hide wallpapers or notifications, when Always-On Display is enabled on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max.
- The Sleep widget lets you view your most recent sleep data.
- The Medication widget lets you view reminders and quickly access your schedule
New restrictions for AirDrop
iOS 16.2 includes a major change to Apple's popular AirDrop feature, which many consider a regression. Button “All” The AirDrop option can now be enabled for a maximum of 10 minutes at a time. Previously, you could enable “All” setting and it will remain enabled indefinitely.
This change was first made in China in response to the ban AirDrop is used to distribute posters and other content against Xi Jinping and the Chinese government. With iOS 16.2, it is expanding worldwide. Apple says:
- AirDrop now only automatically returns to contacts after 10 minutes to prevent unwanted content requests
This means you can no longer permanently enable AirDrop for “Everyone”. Instead, this option can only be enabled for 10 minutes at a time. You will then need to go back to the AirDrop settings and check the All option again.
Other changes and features
According to notes on Apple release, some other features and changes in iOS 16.2 include the following:
- Improved search in messages allows you to find photos based on content, such as a dog, car, person, or text.
- The Disable IP Hiding setting allows iCloud Private Relay users to temporarily disable the service for a specific site in Safari.
- News articles in the weather display information related to the weather at that location.
- Participant cursors in notes allow you to see live indicators when others are making updates to a shared note.
- Improved crash detection on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models
- Fixed an issue where some notes didn't sync to iCloud after updates
And more e discovered by 9to5Mac:
- Apple News Web Grace appears in the Weather app in iOS 16.2 beta with appropriate regional stories.
- Apple lets users update their Live Activity more frequently using iOS 16.2.
- iOS 16.2 beta introduces a new Home app architecture for a more robust experience
- iOS 16.2 allows users to report inadvertent Emergency SOS to Apple
- Stage Manager external display support added in iPadOS 16.2 beta
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