Hands-on: iOS 18.2 beta 2 changes and features [Video]

The initial beta for iOS 18.2 brought forth a heaping helping of new changes and features, headlined by phase two of the Apple Intelligence rollout. In the second beta, Apple continues to build on Apple Intelligence, but we also find several other noteworthy additions like Camera Control AE/AF lock for iPhone 16 users, Find Lost Item tracking, and the ability to disable video looping in the Photos app. Watch the full hands-on video walkthrough for the details.

What’s new in iOS 18.2 beta 2

My colleague, Ryan, provided an excellent summation of what’s new in iOS 18.2 beta 2, so I encourage you to read his post surrounding the public beta release. Alongside my in-depth video, which covers approximately 20 new changes and features, I’d like to just touch on a few of the highlights.

Video: iOS 18.2 beta 2 changes and features

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Disable video looping

With the release of iOS 18, Apple made it so that all videos played back in the stock Photos app will continuously loop. While I’m largely favorable of this change, not everyone wants that, so it’s nice to see an option to disable looping come to iOS 18.2. To find the option, open Settings → All Apps → Photos, and switch off the Looping option.

AE/AF Lock with Camera Control

The next noteworthy feature in the beta 2 update for iOS 18.2 is something that Apple teased during its iPhone 16 keynote – the ability to engage AE/AF lock via a continuous light press of the Camera Control button.

AE of course stands for Auto Exposure, and AF stands for Auto Focus. Locking these attributes keeps both the current exposure and focus locked in, even when reframing a shot, or introducing different light conditions into the shot. iPhone users have long been able to lock these values via a long press on the subject in frame, but having such a feature mapped directly to a button is even better.

By using the Camera Control button, users can keep their hands on the camera, which can help reduce shake and distractions. It also means that it’s mush easier to reset the exposure and focus, since the setting is no longer locked, and can be quickly reset by letting go of the Camera Control button.

The last big feature that I’ll highlight from iOS 18.2 beta 2 is the new Share Item Location feature found in the Find My app. This feature lets users generate a link that will allow other users, and companies like airlines to track lost items as well.

Share Item Location works with AirTags and presumably other FindMy capable 3rd-party accessories. The link is active for seven days, and will automatically expire once the item is located.

This feature could be super-handy for tracking down lost luggage, and based on Apple’s illustration in the Find My app, that will be one of this feature’s principle use-cases. User will be able to track how many people viewed the link, and can turn off item location at any time.

9to5Mac’s Take

Those three features are just a taste of what’s new in the second iOS 18.2 beta. Watch the full hands-on video walkthrough for an in-depth look at everything new. Also, be sure to check out my walkthrough of the first beta for a better understanding of all of the new Apple Intelligence features in the phase 2 rollout.

What are your thoughts on iOS 18.2 beta 2? Sound off in the comments below.