iOS 16.2: A quick overview of all innovations

Following the major iOS 16 update, iOS 16.2 also brings new features. In addition to smaller bug fixes or improvements, the update also offers new possibilities for Apple fans.

New features in iOS 16.2: Freeform

Probably the biggest change in iOS 16.2 is Freeform, an app designed to make digital work easier. The app is automatically on your iPhone after the update and does not need to be downloaded from the App Store.

• When you open Freeform, a large writing/drawing area appears. This is a whiteboard or sheet of paper on which you can write, draw and work.
• You can work alone or together with others on this surface, for example, you can write down results or ideas. Others with whom you share the board can see these and also add something.

Apple Music Sing

Another great feature since iOS 16.2 is Apple Music Sing, because now you can sing karaoke in the Apple Music app. However, this can only be used in conjunction with an Apple Music subscription.

• For quite some time, you have been able to display the lyrics of a song by clicking on the speech bubble icon at the bottom left. But now, after you tap on the speech bubble, a new symbol appears in the middle right, showing a microphone. The karaoke function is activated as soon as you tap this button.
• You can also adjust the volume of the singing in the song using the slider on the microphone icon. This allows you to decide whether and how loudly the actual performer should still be heard. It also shows you at which point in the line you should be singing, as this is highlighted in white.

More new features in iOS 16.2

Also in addition to these two features, iOS 16.2 includes other small changes.

• Lock Screen: Through iOS 16.2, you can now add two new widgets to your lock screen. The “Sleep” widget shows you your sleep data. The other widget can be found at “Health”. This one can remind you to take your medication.

• Emergency call SOS via satellite: If you have an iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Pro, it is now possible to make an emergency call without being connected to a WLAN or network. This works via a satellite.

• Game Center: You can now play games with friends while you are in a FaceTime call with them through “SharePlay”.

• AirDrop: Apple always let users choose not to receive pictures, videos or the like via AirDrop, only from contacts, or from everyone. The latter is now only available for 10 minutes at a time. So you can only use the “For Everyone” option for 10 minutes and then you have to enable it again.

• Other innovations: Minor improvements have also been made, for example in the Messages, Safari and Notes app, as well as in accident detection on iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 pro.