The long-awaited iOS 18.2 update for your iPhone could be released on December 9th. Apple has already confirmed that iOS 18.2 will be released in December. However, reports are now circulating that mention this specific Monday as a possible launch date. The British mobile operator EE has even given hints that the release is imminent.
iOS 18.2 could be one of the most exciting updates of the year - at least for users outside the EU. Apple has once again focused on the user experience and integrated practical new features. The update has many surprises in store, especially for users of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, from improved artificial intelligence to practical innovations in the "Settings" app.
- Notice: Apple Intelligence According to Cupertino, in April 2025, among other things, German will be supported – until then, the Apple Intelligence feature is not available on iPhone and iPad within the EU.
iOS 18.2 release date: A likely date
According to a recent announcement by British provider EE (via MacRumors), Apple plans to release iOS 18.2 on Monday, December 9. In a message to customers, EE announced that the "WiFi calling on other supported iCloud connected devices" feature will be disabled from that date. This change affects the ability to make WiFi calls on devices like iPads and Macs when your iPhone isn't nearby. The second developer beta of iOS 18.2 also includes an updated version of EE's carrier settings, suggesting an imminent release. Typically, such carrier settings updates are bundled with iOS updates unless they're to fix bugs, so the timing and confirmation of the shutdown strongly suggests that iOS 18.2 will launch on December 9.
What new features does iOS 18.2 bring?
iOS 18.2 is expected to come with a number of exciting new features and optimizations that will further improve the user experience and make your daily tasks easier. Here are the highlights:
- Genmoji: This new emoji feature, available exclusively on the iPhone 15 Pro and all iPhone 16 models, as well as the brand new iPad mini and all iPads and Macs with M-series chips, will allow you to create personalized emojis based on your facial expressions. These emojis are designed to be more realistic and can be used in messages and social media.
- Image Playground: Another interesting new feature for the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models: Image Playground. This feature offers a creative platform where you can edit your photos, add effects, and use various filters and tools to give your images a personalized touch.
- ChatGPT integration for Siri: Apple is committed to integrating artificial intelligence and now offers ChatGPT integration for Siri. This means that Siri can provide more context-based answers and better suggestions, making the interaction more natural and getting you the information you want even faster.
- New “Defaults” section in the Settings app: The new “Default Settings” section is designed to help youto more quickly customize the default apps and settings on your iPhone. This update makes it easier to set things like the default music app or preferred browser.
- Sharing items in the Find My app: This feature makes it easier to share and find itemsthat are equipped with Apple tags so that if something gets lost, you can better coordinate the search across different Apple devices and friends.
Further optimizations and bug fixes
In addition to the new features, iOS 18.2 will also include various bug fixes and performance improvements. Apple is constantly working to make iOS more stable and secure and this update is no exception. The exact list of bug fixes has not yet been published, but experience has shown that each update brings more stability and improves the overall performance of the operating system.
iOS 18.2: The most important improvements at a glance
The iOS 18.2 update promises to make your iPhone and other Apple devices even smarter and more versatile. Particularly exciting are the new features that take Apple significantly forward in terms of artificial intelligence and creativity. Although the release date of December 9th has not yet been officially confirmed by Apple, there are strong indications that we can prepare for this date. In addition to the iPhone update, iPadOS 18.2, macOS 15.2, tvOS 18.2, watchOS 11.2 and visionOS 2.2 are also expected. So stay tuned and have your devices ready for the updates. (Photo by Unsplash / Amanz)
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