Apple users, there’s a new update. We are here to discover the latest update of the iPhone’s operating system: iOS 16.2 new features.
Let’s discover: iOS 16.2 new features
After more than a month of testing, Apple has made iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 available to the general public. This update is pretty large and includes several significant new features. For the crucial bug fixes and the new features, we recommend you download the upgrade right away.
Freeform app
In iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1, Apple introduced a brand-new cross-platform called Freeform app. Freeform is a collaborative tool that may be used for taking notes, drawing, sketching, saving links, and more.
The same Freeform document can be worked on by many people, with real-time updates synchronized for everyone. According to Apple, Freeform can be used as a creative place for projects, including mood boards, project sketches, and idea brainstorming.
Apple Music Sing
Apple Music Sing is a karaoke feature for Apple Music subscribers. It allows iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV users to sing along with real-time lyrics that move to the rhythm of the vocals. The feature offers adjustable vocals for changing the volume of the original singer, background vocal options, and a duet view for multi-singer tracks.
Apple has introduced more than 50 playlists for use with its Apple Music Sing karaoke feature. These playlists include a variety of songs, duets, choruses, and anthems that are ideal for singing along to. Apple Music Sing can be used on a range of Apple devices, including the iPhone 11 and later, the third-generation 11-inch iPad Pro and later, the fifth-generation 12.9-inch iPad Pro and later, the fourth-generation iPad Air and later, the ninth-generation iPad and later, and the iPad mini and later. If you want to learn more about the new Apple Music Sing feature, we covered it in recent article.
Advanced Data Protection
With the launch of Advanced Data Protection last week, more iCloud data categories now benefit from end-to-end encryption. Wallet Passes, iCloud backups, Message backups, iCloud Drive content, Notes, Photos, Reminders, and Voice Memos can all be encrypted using Advanced Data Protection, which is optional.
Almost all of the iCloud data is protected with the update, with the exception of Mail, Contacts, and Calendar, because these capabilities require compatibility with systems that employ legacy technologies.
Advanced Data Protection is optional since it disables access to iCloud.com by default and prevents Apple from recovering your data if you forget your password.
Stage Manager supports external display
Stage Manager on iPads M1 and M2 can once again be utilized with external monitors thanks to iPadOS 16.2. In order to expand Stage Manager to the A12X and A12Z iPad Pro devices, Apple disabled this functionality in the initial release of iPadOS 16.
Stage Manager allows up to eight apps for multitasking instead of only four with external display capability. Only iPad M1 and M2 models are capable of this functionality.
There is also the possibility to drag and drop a window from the iPad to the external monitor that is attached to your device if you have an iPad with M1 or M2 capabilities. In the iOS 16.2 release, dragging a window from one device to another is a new feature.
New Home app design
iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 add support for a redesigned Home app architecture that follows the inclusion of the Matter smart home standard when used with HomePod 16.2 firmware.
Apple claims that the new House app design improves performance in homes with many smart accessories, but it necessitates that all devices accessing the home run the HomePod 16.2 software along with iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS Ventura 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2 updates.
Wallpaper and notifications for Always On Display
When the always-on display setting is engaged, iOS 16.2 introduces two toggles to disable the wallpaper and notifications. The feature results in a more straightforward always-on-display that merely displays the time and any widgets that are activated.
Contacts only AirDrop
Beginning with the release of iOS 16.2, AirDrop will only be available to Contacts by default. The ability to make AirDrop available to everyone around is still available. However, after ten minutes, it will switch back to Contacts Only.
According to Apple, this was put in place to reduce AirDrop spam.
Software updates
The Settings app’s Software Updates section, found under General, has received a minor upgrade from Apple. The installed software version’s content is now bolded to make it more noticeable.
Sleep Widget on Lock Screen
The Health app and information gathered by the Apple Watch or other sleep monitoring devices are used by the new Sleep widget that iOS 16.2 brings to the Lock Screen. Three variations are offered, and it offers data on things like the amount of time spent in bed and the quality of one’s sleep.
A straightforward one-tile widget displays the amount of time you spend in bed, and two multi-tile alternatives offer either a bar chart that displays your sleep quality or a larger widget that displays your bedtime coupled with a visual representation. The Sleep area of the Health app appears when you tap the widget.
Medication Widget on Lock Screen
Apple has launched a new Sleep widget as well as a Medications widget. There are two choices: one shows a single pill icon, while the other informs you when it’s time to take a dose of a medication. It will notify you if all of your prescriptions have been entered or if you have finished your medication for the day.
Game Center
Now that Game Center supports FaceTime, iPhone and iPad users can play games with their friends and family during FaceTime conversations. A new Activity Widget is also available, allowing users to view their friends’ gaming progress on the Home Screen.
Messages Search
In the Messages app, Apple has updated search to make it easier to find photographs based on content, such as a person, automobile, pet, or text.
Hide IP Address
A new iCloud Private Relay feature allows you to turn it off for a particular Safari website temporarily.
5G in India
A number of carriers in India are now able to handle 5G speeds thanks to iOS 16.2, which unlocks 5G service there.
Live Sports Scores on TV app
For some sports games, Live Activities integration has been added again in iOS 16.2 for the iPhone’s built-in TV app. On the iPhone 14 Pro models, games can be followed in real-time on the Lock Screen or the Dynamic Island.
TV App upgrades
Apple has modified the TV app with the iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, tvOS 16.2, and macOS Ventura 13.1 upgrades. It is now more challenging for consumers to access the TV shows they want to watch because there are now large show and movie previews displayed above the “Up Next” interface.
Weather App news
The Weather app now displays relevant weather-related news based on your location, thanks to an integration with Apple News.
Live Activities in the TV App
For those watching sporting events, there is an option to receive more frequent Live Activity updates through the TV app. If you’re worried about battery life, you might wish to disable it because more frequent updates can lead to faster battery consumption.
Silent responses on Siri
You can instruct Siri to “Prefer Silent Responses” in the Accessibility section of the Settings app so that she responds to commands silently rather than aloud.
ProMotion Lag
Apple claims that SwiftUI animation layout changes will now support a 120Hz refresh rate on devices that support ProMotion, a feature that was previously lacking.
The iOS 16.2 update also seems to fix persistent difficulties affecting the ProMotion-enabled iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro models. When shutting and switching between apps, these devices can occasionally encounter lagging and stuttering system animations. However, according to numerous comments from beta testers, the update has improved performance.
AirTag alerts
Users can now receive tracking notifications on their iPads to be informed if an AirTag that has become separated from its owner is close and has recently played a chime to signal that it is moving.
Crash detection
Additionally included in iOS 16.2 is Crash Detection optimization for the iPhone 14 models, which was first made available in iOS 16.1.2. Crash detection optimization might include adjustments to stop the iPhone 14 models from dialing 911 when users are on rollercoasters and other anxious rides.
SOS calls
With the upgrade, Apple is now capturing data on unintentional SOS calls, and one user has reported receiving a question from Apple regarding the call that gathers system information.
Battery status shortcut
The iPhone’s battery and any chargers connected to it are both listed in the new Battery Status Shortcut that is available.
