iOS 18.2 release date: When to expect Apple’s big new features

iOS 18.1 arrived late last month, but the wait won’t be long for another huge update from Apple. iOS 18.2 will bring highly anticipated features like Genmoji, ChatGPT integration with Siri, and so much more. Here’s what to expect from iOS 18.2’s release date, and the big new features it will bring.

December release set for iOS 18.2, likely before mid-month

Apple has committed to releasing its next big wave of software updates, including iOS 18.2, this December.

But by looking at recent history, we can idenfity an even more narrow time frame.

Apple usually follows very predictable patterns with its software updates. For example, here are the days the last three x.2 releases shipped.

• iOS 17.2: Monday, December 11
• iOS 16.2: Tuesday, December 13
• iOS 15.2: Monday, December 13

If tradition holds, we should see iOS 18.2 launch in mid-December—just a few weeks away.

Pinning down the exact day is a little more complicated.

Mark Gurman believes it will be the week of December 2.

He could be right, but I’d put my bets on the week of December 9 instead.

Apple just started its iOS 18.2 public beta this week, and it’s a very big release that could use as much testing as possible.

Taking into account the Thanksgiving holiday, a launch during December’s first week would mean Apple has very little time left for bug fixes and improvements before release.

All of this considered, I think the most likely launch days are one of the following:

• Monday, December 9
• Tuesday, December 10
• Wednesday, December 11

A release date any earlier than this would be very surprising considering the timing of Apple’s betas.

Features coming in iOS 18.2 and more

When iOS 18.2 debuts in December, it will be accompanied by a variety of companion updates.

The full list of software updates coming includes:

• iOS 18.2
• iPadOS 18.2
• macOS Sequoia 15.2
• visionOS 2.2
• watchOS 11.2
• tvOS 18.2

The biggest highlight will be the second wave of Apple Intelligence features. These include:

• Genmoji for making your own custom emoji
• ChatGPT integration with Siri and writing tools
• Image Playground for creating original images
• Visual intelligence on iPhone 16 models with Camera Control
• Image Wand, the iPad-exclusive Notes feature designed for Apple Pencil
• New writing tools option to ‘Describe your change’
• Localized English support in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, and the UK

But there’s also a ton more coming in iOS 18.2 and these other updates.

The Mail app gets a big redesign on iPhone, visionOS brings huge Mac Virtual Display upgrades, Find My lets you share an item’s location with others, tvOS adds proper projector support, and a lot more.

When do you expect iOS 18.2’s release date? Let us know in the comments.

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