With iOS 18.2 Now Out for iPhone, When Can We Expect the Next Release?

1 week ago 4
CNET Tips_Tech

Available now, iOS 18.2 brings the next round of Apple Intelligence features as well as improvements to the Mail app and other iPhone features. If you haven't yet installed this release, learn how to grab it now (and make sure to create a good backup first). 

Normally a xx.2 release wouldn't warrant much attention because it's often a set of bug fixes and refinements that didn't make it into the original release. However, this time it's notable because iOS 18.2 is bringing new Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone 15 ProiPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro that have been teased for months and have become only recently available to people who chose to install the developer or public betas

These include visual intelligence, which is one of the key features of the new Camera Control button, and the ability to experiment with Genmoji and generate images in Apple's Image Playground.

Now that iOS 18.2 has rolled out, when can we expect to see another update? I'm not trying to be greedy -- end-of-year planning for upcoming beta and widespread releases is in full swing. (OK, yes, I might be a little greedy about wanting to use the next Apple Intelligence features. Can you blame me?)

Watch this: Does Apple Think We're Stupid? Apple Intelligence Ads Say Yes

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When will iOS 18.3 be widely released?

Since iOS 18.2 was just released, Apple's engineers are likely working through any last-minute glitches that invariably crop up with every major release. We're also speeding into the holiday season in the US, which tends to push a lot of work to the new year. And as of mid-December, a new iOS 18 beta hasn't shown up for developers.

We can, however, look at last year's iOS 17 schedule for guidance, since iOS 17.2 arrived in the same time period one year ago as iOS 18.2 did this week. Based on that timing, it's a good bet that iOS 18.3 will arrive in late January or early February 2025

Apple's iPhone 16 Pro Max with Siri's halo glow
James Martin/CNET

Which devices will run Apple Intelligence?

Remember that Apple Intelligence will work only with the following models that are equipped with the A17 Pro or later (iPhone and iPad Mini) and M1 or later (Mac and iPad) processors:

  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iPad Mini (Late 2024)
  • iPad Air (M1 and later)
  • iPad Pro (M1 and later)
  • iPad (M1 and later)
  • Mac computers with Apple Silicon (M-series)

If your devices are on that list, remember that you need to jump through a couple of hoops to activate Apple Intelligence.

Read more: Make sure you know about these 9 hidden iOS 18 features and how to remove annoying banners and other distractions in Safari.

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