iOS 18.2 is ready: These new functions are coming to the iPhone

iOS 18.1 is followed just a few weeks later by the update to iOS 18.2. With the new software version, the manufacturer is continuing the rollout of Apple Intelligence functions, but is also bringing some functions specifically for the EU. iPhone users can remove additional system apps - and all kinds of other things.

iOS 18.2: EU further guts Apple's iPhones

While Apple is expanding its AI functions with iOS 18.2 and making them available in localised English in other regions such as Australia, the UK, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, Apple Intelligence is still not available in the EU. Only Macs with M processors will be equipped with the AI functions with macOS version 15.1 or higher.

However, iPhone users in the EU will not be left completely empty-handed with the update to iOS 18.2. Instead of AI, they will have extensive options to remove system apps from their iPhones (and iPads).

As announced a few weeks ago, users in the EU can delete the App Store, the Camera app, Safari, the Messages app and Photos. These will be easier to replace with alternatives in future. To manage the standard apps such as the browser, Messages, Mail, password manager and others, Apple has integrated a corresponding sub-item in the app management in the settings.

Users who have deleted the App Store from their device can reinstall it via the standard app management. Standard apps such as Messages, Camera and others can be found in the App Store for reinstallation after deletion, according to Apple.

Nutzer, die den App Store von ihrem Gerät gelöscht haben, können ihn über die Standard-App-Verwaltung neu installieren. Standard-Apps wie Nachrichten, Kamera und andere können laut Apple im App Store zur Neuinstallation nach dem Löschen gefunden werden.

iOS 18.2: New Where-is? function for lost items

With the update to iOS 18.2, Apple is also adding a practical function to the Find my network. This is intended to make it easier to find lost items by allowing users to share the location of a lost item with third parties.

If you use the function, you can create a link to share the lost item in the ‘Where-is?’ app on an iPhone, iPad or Mac. As soon as you share the link with someone, the person gets access to an interactive map with the location of the item. According to Apple, the website is automatically updated when the lost item moves. It also displays a timestamp of when it was last moved. According to Apple, this feature should make it easier to find lost luggage, for example.

According to Apple, the new tracking function will be deactivated as soon as you have found your lost item. You can also manually stop sharing the location of an air tag at any time. The link expires automatically after seven days, according to the manufacturer.

As Apple writes, 15 airlines support the function. These include Aer Lingus, Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Eurowings, Iberia, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, Turkish Airlines, United, Virgin Atlantic and Vueling. According to Apple, the airlines can accept the locations of ‘Where is?’ items ‘to localise mishandled or delayed baggage’. More airlines will be added over time, it is said.

iPhone 16: Kamerasteuerung erhält neue Funktionen

Since the announcement of the iPhone 16 family, it was clear that Apple wanted to improve the camera control with a follow-up update. The update now includes the promised functions for focussing and focus lock.

To focus on the object in front of the lens, similar to an SLR camera, you only need to press the camera button gently in iOS 18.2. The new focus and exposure lock (AE/AF lock) must be activated in the camera settings before the first use. The function can then be switched on or off with a long press on the camera control. This helps you to always keep the object in focus when shooting videos, for example, or if you want to take several photos of an object.

The update also brings a function for adjusting the double-click interval of the camera control. The new options include ‘Standard’, ‘Slow’ and ‘Slower’.

iOS 18.2: Apple Intelligence receives ChatGPT integration

Apple is continuing the integration of Apple Intelligence functions with iOS 18.2. After the first features that will be introduced with iOS 18.1, the manufacturer is now bringing the Genmoji function announced for WWDC 2024, which allows you to create your own emojis, as well as the ‘Image Playground’. This tool allows you to generate completely new images via a prompt. The writing tools will also receive new functions.

Finally, the update also brings the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into Siri. This allows Siri to forward requests to ChatGPT that Apple's assistant cannot process itself.

For example, if you ask Siri to create an itinerary, Siri can forward the request to ChatGPT's AI models and have them answer it. Before forwarding it to ChatGPT, you must give Siri explicit permission to respect your privacy.

The iPhone 16 models also get ‘Visual Intelligence’. With this function, you can activate the camera on the lock screen, take a photo and receive information about what you see. The whole thing sounds similar to Google's Lens function.

Apple Intelligence will only be available in English for the time being, but with iOS 18.2, other regions such as the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand will be added in addition to US English. According to Apple, further localisations - including German - are being worked on, but these are not expected until 2025.

What else does iOS 18.2 bring?

The update for compatible iPhones also offers numerous other functions: For example, it brings revised icons in the settings for all users that match the colour scheme of the home screen. In addition, the dark mode has become a shade darker.

The list of new features is even longer. It includes practical functions such as a full-screen mode for videos in the Photos app, a progress bar on the lock screen for downloads via the Safari browser and the return of volume control on the lock screen.

Other new functions:

• New wallpapers that allow you to customise the Safari homepage

• Import and Export allows you to export the browser data from Safari and import the data from another app into Safari

• HTTPS Priority updates URLs to HTTPS whenever possible

• In Apple Photos, the history of recently viewed and recently shared albums can be deleted

• Favourite categories in Podcasts allow you to select favourite categories and relevant show recommendations that are easier to access in the library.

According to Apple, the personalised search page in Podcasts highlights the most relevant categories and editorially curated collections specifically for you.