With the full release of iOS 16.1 and iPadOS 16.1 in the rearview mirror, Apple has moved on to testing the next release. With iOS and iPadOS 16.2, we can expect a new Freeform app, along with ongoing improvements to Stage Manger on the iPad (like the return of external display support), as well as other minor tweaks and fixes. We are still waiting for support for SharePlay games and the 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.

Free Form Application: The latest beta versions of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, and macOS 13 have added a new Freeform digital whiteboard app, first introduced 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 by sharing sketches, notes, files, web links, documents, photos, video, and audio.

Architecture of the new house: iOS 16.2 users have the option to upgrade their Home to a new architecture that Apple promises will be faster and more reliable. All Home Hub devices such as HomePod and Apple TV must also be updated to version 16.2.

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

What’s new in iPadOS 16.2?

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

External Stage Manager Display Support: Support for external displays, removed prior to the initial release of iPadOS 16.1, returned in iPadOS 16.2 for iPads with an M1 or M2 chip. This allows iPad users to connect their tablet to a secondary display with up to 6K resolution using Stage Manager.

When will iOS 16.2 be released?

Most of the important 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 plans to release the final version to devices in late November or December. While no actual release date has been announced, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reported that the update “should be released around mid-December”.

How to Install the iOS 16.2 Public Beta

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

When the iOS 16 public beta releases, you can install it using the following instructions.

1. Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and sign up using your Apple ID.
2. Sign in to the beta testing program.
3. Click Register your iOS device. (If you subscribed to a beta version of a previous version last year, you may need to delete your profile for it and then re-register for a new one.)
4. Go to beta.apple.com/profile on your iOS device.
5. Download and install the configuration profile.
6. You may need to go to settings to enable the profile. Go to General > VPN and device management and click there on the iOS 16 beta profile.
7. This will make the beta available in the Settings app under General > Software update.

How to Install the iOS 16.2 Developer Beta

Each stage of the iOS 16.2 development cycle will be released 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 applications on the latest possible OS version, this version is for you.

First, make sure your device is compatible. Quick read Which iPhones and iPads Could Get iOS 16?

You need to register as an Apple developer. Joining the Apple Developer Program costs $99 per year.

All is ready? Good! Here’s how to install the iOS 16.2 developer beta in eight easy steps:

1. In Safari on iPhone or iPad, go to developer.apple.com and sign in with your Apple ID.
2. Go to Downloads section (you’ll find it in the menu on the left), scroll down to iOS 16 Beta or iPadOS 16 and tap Install Profilethen Accept.
3. open Settings Appendix. You should see your downloaded profile at the top of your home screen – tap that. If you don’t see it, go to General > VPN and device management and tap the iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 beta profile.
4. Click Install in the top right corner to install the iOS or iPadOS 16 beta profile.
5. Read the developer consent form and (assuming you agree with the terms) give your consent.
6. Restart your iPhone.
7. Now go to Settings > General > Software updatewhere you should see that iOS or iPadOS 16 beta is available. Click Download and install.
8. Wait for your iPhone to finish downloading the update, then click Install when prompted.

And if everything works as it should, your iPhone will now be running iOS 16 beta.

Risks and Precautions

Please note, first of all, that beta versions are test versions of future software. They are, by definition, work in progress, and while they should include most or all of the features of the finished product, there will be cosmetic differences and, inevitably, some bugs and other issues that will need to be fixed during the development process.

In other words, don’t expect a perfect user experience. In particular, some existing applications (including those you can rely on) may not work with the new version. In extreme cases, you may even find that your device is locked by the beta and cannot be used until the next beta is released. It is not uncommon for early beta software to exhibit issues such as excessive battery drain.

The closer we get to the final release of iOS 16.2, the more polished and full of features the available betas will become. The downside of this, of course, will be less time to wait for the official launch, so you won’t get the same amount by installing the beta.

Assuming you choose to proceed, we can’t stress enough how important it is to back up your iPhone before installing the beta on your device, or better yet, use a secondary device rather than your primary iPhone or iPad. You won’t lose everything if something goes wrong while installing the beta, and you can revert to the latest version if you still don’t like the new software or it contains too many bugs.