The iOS 18.2, iPadOS 18.2 and macOS Sequoia 15.2 release date is here. They bring in the second wave of Apple Intelligence features, including Genmoji, the Image Playground, optional ChatGPT integration and more.
watchOS 11.2, tvOS 18.2 and visionOS 2.2 also went out, though these don't include any AI features.
The release notes for iOS 18.2 reveal the changes Apple thinks are the most important, and ones for iPadOS 18.2 are nearly identical:
"This update introduces new features powered by Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that unlocks powerful new ways to communicate, work, and express yourself, all while protecting your data with an extraordinary step forward for privacy in Al.
"New features include Image Playground which lets you create delightful, fun images, Genmoji to create original emoji to share with family and friends, ChatGPT support integrated right into Siri and Writing Tools, and more. This release also includes Visual intelligence with Camera Control, enhancements to Mail, Photos, Safari, and other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone."
Obviously, the focus on these upgrades is on Apple Intelligence. This set of AI-powered tools was the star of Apple's developer conference in June, but Cupertino said from the start that the features will launch in phases. The launch of iOS 18.1, macOS Sequoia 15.1 and iPadOS 8.1 in October brought Writing Tools and the picture Clean Up tool.
iOS 18.2, macOS Sequoia 15.2 and iPadOS 8.2 include the Image Playground app and Genmoji, which allow users to create images or personified emojis based on user instructions. The Notes app gets Image Wand, which can create images using the written or visual context already in the note.
Integration with ChatGPT is another feature, if the user specifically chooses it.
Visual Intelligence is also included in iOS 18.2, but only when running on iPhone 16 models. Which brings up an important point: most of the best new features in this upcoming iOS version are part of Apple Intelligence and therefore work only on the iPhone 15 Pro models and the iPhone 16 series.
The new AI features are more widespread in Mac and iPad as they're available for any device running an M-series processor. Still, that eliminates tablets with A-series chips, including entry-level iPads.
Be sure to read the Cult of Mac guide "Everything new in iOS 18.2: Apple Intelligence upgrades and more."
Looking ahead to 2025, future versions of Image Playground will offer a Sketch style, which Apple calls, "an academic and highly detailed style that uses a vibrant color palette combined with technical lines to produce realistic drawings."
And Siri will get an Apple Intelligence upgrade. The iPhone-maker promised Wednesday that "Siri will be even more capable, with the ability to draw on a user's personal context to deliver intelligence that's tailored to them. Siri will also gain onscreen awareness, and will be able to take hundreds of new actions in and across Apple and third-party apps."
iPhone and iPad users can install the new iOS and iPadOS updates directly by opening the Settings app and going to General > Software Update. Alternatively, you can update your devices by connecting them to a Mac (or to a PC running iTunes).
To download the macOS Sequoia update, go to the Apple menu > About This Mac. Then click Software Update. Alternatively, you can install the new version from the App Store. (Note: At the time of this writing, Apple had not yet updated the version of macOS in the App Store. But it should happen soon.)
The watchOS update can be installed directly onto an Apple Watch, as long as the wearable is connected to Wi-Fi. From the Settings app, just navigate to General > Software Update. Or you can install it from an iPhone by opening the Apple Watch app and going to My Watch > General > Software Update.