iOS 18.2 will go out to iPhones everywhere next week, but you don’t need to wait. It’s possible to go ahead and install the iOS 18.2 release candidate — the final version before Apple pushes it to the public — this weekend. That way you’ll have time to play around with the AI-powered Image Playground and other new Apple Intelligence features.
Getting iOS 18.2 now doesn’t require doing anything dodgy or risky. You’ll download the final version of the upgrade straight from Apple … just a little earlier than scheduled.
iOS 18.2 release candidate brings phase 2 of Apple Intelligence
iOS 18.1 in October gave us our first taste of Apple Intelligence with the launch of Writing Tools and the picture Clean Up tool. But Apple’s suite of artificial intelligence features is coming out a few at a time, not all at once.
The imminent launch of iOS 18.2 ushers in the Image Playground app and Genmoji, which allow users to create images or personified emojis based on user instructions. Optional integration with ChatGPT is another feature. Visual Intelligence is also included in iOS 18.2.
There’s no real reason to sit until next week to start trying these out. Getting iOS 18.2 now is easy and safe.
Mostly for iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 Pro users
But before you get all excited about downloading the iOS 18.2 release candidate and running Apple Intelligence on your iPhone, make sure your device is compatible. The list is a bit short:
- iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max
- iPhone 16 and 16 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
Become a beta tester … sort of
The iOS 18.2 release candidate went out for testing Thursday. This gives beta testers one last opportunity to look over the final version of the operating system before Apple introduces it to average users. In other words, Apple made the final version available to beta testers. And you can become one in just a few minutes.
Normally, beta testing comes with risks. You’re using prerelease software that certainly contains bugs. But this isn’t a normal situation — you’re joining the program only to get the release candidate. It’s the same version Apple will send to everyone next week.
That said, there’s a small chance the final version will be a very, very slightly tweaked version of the release candidate. Apple might make some last-minute bug fixes to the RC before sending it out.
How to install the iOS 18.2 release candidate
If you like the idea of trying out iOS 18.2 now rather than later, start by going to the webpage for the Apple Beta Software Program. Be sure you’re signed in with your Apple ID, then click the Get Started button (this might say Sign up instead.). You will then need to click Agree on the Beta Software Program Agreement to continue.
Screenshot: Apple/Cult of Mac
Next, you can choose which version of Apple’s software you want early access to on the Guide for Beta Software page. In this case, you want iOS. Tap on it, then look for the Get started section and tap on enroll your iOS device.
Now grab your iPhone and go to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Be sure iOS 18 Public Beta is checked. It’s possible you’ll need to restart your iPhone to get this to show up.
Now iOS 18.2 should show up in Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. Tap Install Now to download and install the release candidate.
Unenroll iPhone from beta program
Once you have the iOS 18.2 RC installed, you can unenroll your iPhone from Apple’s public beta program. It’s a two-step process. Start on your iPhone by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates and tap Off from the list of options. Then, in a web browser, go to Apple’s unenroll your devices web page, scroll down and tap on Leave Apple Beta Software Program. Then follow the prompt on the pop-up window. Restart your iPhone.
This won’t remove iOS 18.2 from your handset. You just won’t receive any future iOS betas. All you’ll get are the same operating system updates everyone else receives.
Enjoy an early taste of Apple Intelligence
When you finish, you’ll have iOS 18.2 on your iPhone and won’t have to worry about installing it next week. Go try the Image Playground — it’s sometimes useful and other times hilariously awful. See what you think.
And next week when your friends or co-workers point out that iOS 18.2 is available, you can say, “Oh, I installed that days ago.”
