iOS 16.2 could arrive in December with new Freeform app Live Activities Tweaks

With the full release of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 in the rearview mirror, Apple has moved to testing the next version. With iOS and iPadOS 16.2, we can expect the new Freeform app along with continuous improvements to Stage Manger on iPad (like the return of external display support) along with other minor tweaks and fixes. We’re still waiting for SharePlay gaming support and Satellite Emergency SOS feature on the latest iPhones.

What’s new in iOS 16.2?

Here’s what we know is new in the latest iOS 16.2 beta. We will update this section as new features and changes are discovered.

Freeform app: The latest iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 betas add the new Freeform digital whiteboard app, which debuted at WWDC this fall. Freeform is a productivity app for iPhone, iPad and Mac that lets you collaborate with friends, family and colleagues on a digital whiteboard and share sketches, notes, files, web links, documents, photos, videos and audio.

New house architecture: iOS 16.2 users have the option to upgrade their Home to a new architecture that Apple says is faster and more reliable. All home hub devices such as HomePod and Apple TV must also be updated to 16.2.

More frequent live activity updates: While not yet in beta, 9to5Mac has seen code that suggests Apple will give users the ability to update Live Activity more frequently, at the expense of battery life.

What’s new in iPadOS 16.2?

Unless otherwise noted, iPadOS 16.2 has the same new features as iOS 16.2, where applicable, in addition to those listed below.

Stage Manager support for external displays: External display support, which was withdrawn prior to the initial release of iPadOS 16.1, is back in iPadOS 16.2 for iPads with an M1 or M2 chip. It allows iPad users to connect their tablet to a secondary display with resolutions up to 6K using Stage Manager.

When will iOS 16.2 be released?

Most of the great features of iOS 16 are available now that iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 have been released. We suspect that the iOS 16.2 development cycle will be a bit shorter as Apple intends to bring the final version to devices in late November or December. While no actual release date has been announced, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman has reported that the update “should be released around mid-December.”

How to install iOS 16.2 public beta

This is the version of iOS 16.2 that most of us will be running before launch, as the developer beta, as the name suggests, is for registered developers only.

When the iOS 16 public beta comes out, you can install it using the instructions below.

1. On the Apple Beta page, click Sign In and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Enroll in the beta software program.
3. click Register your iOS device. (If you signed up for the beta of an earlier version last year, you may need to uninstall the profile for it and then sign up again for the new one.)
4. Go to beta.apple.com/profile on your iOS device.
5. Download and install the configuration profile.
6. You may have to jump to settings to enable the profile. Go to General > VPN and device management and tap on the iOS 16 beta profile there.
7. This will make the beta available in the Settings app at General > software update.

How to install iOS 16.2 developer beta

Each phase of the iOS 16.2 development cycle is rolled out first to developers and then to public beta testers (usually within a day or so). If you are a developer and need to test your apps on the latest version of the operating system, you should run that version.

First, check if your device is compatible. Did you quickly read which iPhones and iPads can get iOS 16?

You must be registered as an Apple developer. Joining the Apple Developer Program costs $99 per year.

Everything ready? OK! Here’s how to install the iOS 16.2 developer beta in eight easy steps:

1. In Safari on your iPhone or iPad, go to developer.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Go to Downloads section (you can find it in the left menu), scroll down to iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 Beta and tap install profilethen Accept.
3. open that settings apartment You should see Profile Downloaded at the top of the main screen – tap on it. If you can’t see it, go to General > VPN and device management and tap on the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta profile there.
4. Beat To install at the top right to install the iOS or iPadOS 16 beta profile.
5. Read the developer consent form and (assuming you agree to the terms) give your consent.
6. Reboot your iPhone.
7. Now go to Settings > General > software update, where you should see the iOS or iPadOS 16 beta is available. Beat Download and install.
8. Wait for your iPhone to finish downloading the update, then tap To install when prompted.

And if everything worked as it should, your iPhone is now running iOS 16 beta.

Risks and Precautions

First, note that betas are trial versions of upcoming software. They are unfinished by definition, and while they should contain most or all of the functionality of the finished product, there are cosmetic differences and inevitably some bugs and other issues that need to be fixed during the development process.

In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. In particular, some existing apps (including those you may rely on) may not work properly with the new version. In extreme cases, you may even find that your device is bricked by the beta and cannot be used until the next beta comes along. It’s not uncommon for early beta software to also have issues like excessive battery drain.

As we get closer to the final launch of iOS 16.2, we can expect more polished and comprehensive betas available. The opposite of that, of course, is that there’s less time to wait for the official launch, so you don’t gain as much by installing a beta.

Assuming you decide to proceed, we cannot stress enough the importance of backing up your iPhone before installing a beta version on your device, or better yet, use a secondary device instead of your main iPhone or iPad . You don’t lose everything if something goes wrong during the beta installation, and you can revert to the last version if you find that you don’t like the new software after all or that it’s too buggy.