Apple iOS 16.2 Release: Should You Upgrade?

Apple has released iOS 16.2 for all iOS 16-compatible iPhones, after months of beta testing. The update is packed full of new features and important security patches. Here’s everything you need to know.

Who Is It For?

Apple iOS 16.2 is available for all iOS 16-compatible devices, namely the iPhone 8/iPhone X and newer. iOS 16 dropped support for the iPhone 6S and 7 ranges and the iPod Touch.

Apple’s confirmation of auto-update delays, means eager updaters should trigger the update manually by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update. If you are running newer beta software (see ‘The Road Ahead’ section at the end), you must unenroll your device before the update appears.

Note: this guide is not focused on older iOS updates, iPadOS or macOS, but I will touch upon pertinent issues in these guides.

The Deal Breakers

The first 24 hours for iOS 16.2 are highly encouraging. Major software updates tend to introduce more bugs than minor ones under the age-old change more/break more adage. Still, it has been primarily smooth sailing based on user feedback across social media, Reddit and Apple’s Support Community forums.

I have noticed isolated reports of bugs with eSim, touch response and wallpaper, while Apple Music will seemingly never be glitch-free. But there is a sense of calm around the update, unlike anything I have seen since iOS 16 was released.

Needless to say, a lot can still change as an ever-greater number of users update, but the signs look good so far.

So What Do You Get?

iOS 16.2 contains multiple new features and fixes, with Apple’s release notes stating:

This update introduces Freeform, an app that offers a great place to brainstorm and bring your ideas to life. This release also adds Apple Music Sing, Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, Lock Screen improvements, and other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.

Freeform

• Freeform is a new app for working creatively with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad and iPhone
• A flexible canvas lets you add files, images, stickies, and more
• Drawing tools let you sketch anywhere on the canvas with your finger

Apple Music Sing

• A new way to sing along with millions of your favorite songs in Apple Music
• Fully adjustable vocals let you duet with the original artist, sing solo, or mix it up
• Newly enhanced beat-by-beat lyrics make it even easier to follow along with the music

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

• New option expands the total number of iCloud data categories protected using end-to-end encryption to 23 — including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos — protecting your information even in the case of a data breach in the cloud

Lock Screen

• New settings allow you to hide wallpaper or notifications when Always-On display is enabled on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
• Sleep widget lets you view your most recent sleep data
• Medications widget lets you view reminders and quickly access your schedule

Game Center

• SharePlay support in Game Center for multiplayer games so you can play with the people you are on a FaceTime call with
• Activity Widget allows you to see what your friends are playing and achieving in games right from your Home Screen

Apple TV

• Live Activities for Apple TV app let you follow your favorite teams with live scores right on your Lock Screen or in Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Home

• Improved reliability and efficiency of communication between your smart home accessories and Apple devices

This update also includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

• Improved search in Messages allows you to find photos based on their content, like a dog, car, person, or text
• Reload and Show IP Address setting enables iCloud Private Relay users to temporarily disable the service for a specific site in Safari
• News articles in Weather display information relevant to the weather in that location
• Participant Cursors in Notes allow you to see live indicators as others make updates in a shared note
• AirDrop now automatically reverts to Contacts Only after 10 minutes to prevent unwanted requests to receive content
• Crash Detection optimizations on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models
• Fixes an issue that causes some notes not to sync with iCloud after updates are made

Bemusingly, Apple has excluded arguably the most important functionality of iOS 16.2: it finally brings 5G compatibility to iPhones in India. Addressing an issue that has impacted users for years.

Aside from this, Freeform is the headline news. Freeform is a digital canvas app which enables iPhone, iPad and Mac users to collaborate in real-time, contributing everything from scribbles and images to documents, URLs and more. It is compatible with the Apple Pencil on iPad and works with FaceTime. Freeform is intuitive yet powerful, and I believe it can be a game-changer for many users, whether used for business or brainstorming with friends and family.

Also noteworthy is Apple’s ‘Advanced Data Protection’ for iCloud, which provides end-to-end encryption, and iCloud Private Relay, which encrypts web traffic leaving your device, though it requires an iCloud+ subscription.

In terms of fixes, the new lock screen improvements were long awaited for iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max owners, while Crash Detection optimizations were critical after the emergency services feature made headlines for triggering on rollercoasters and ski slopes.

iOS 16.2 Security

Apple’s iOS 16.2 security page reveals that this monster update contains a head-turning 35 security patches, with nine delivering fixes for WebKit (the Safari browser engine) alone.

Accounts, graphics drivers, the iTunes Store, Apple Photos, printing and even the Weather app are other areas where iOS 16.2 clamps down on potential security exploits.

Apple iOS 16.2 Verdict: Upgrade

Apple iOS 16.2 is shaping up to be the most important release since iOS 16. It delivers a compelling combination of new functionality and privacy, critical security patches and stability.

If you are keen to get your hands on the latest features and fixes, this is the green light. For more cautious upgraders, I will deliver my final verdict in a week, so bookmark this page.

The Road Ahead

Expect Apple to announce the first iOS 16.3 beta imminently, while I would not be surprised to see iOS 16.2.1 launch relatively early in the new year. As stable as iOS 16.2 appears, there is always something to fix after major updates.

If you want to try Apple’s next updates before they are released to the wider public, you can join the Apple Beta Software Program. But remember that — by definition — you can expect a bumpy ride.

___

Follow Gordon on Facebook

MORE FROM FORBESApple iOS 16 Release: Should You Upgrade?By Gordon Kelly