iOS 18.2 has new waitlist for Genmoji and more, here’s how to jump the line

3 weeks ago 2

Apple’s big iOS 18.2 update is almost here, bringing highly anticipated new features like Genmoji and ChatGPT integration. But there’s a special waitlist coming before you can use certain AI features. Here’s how to jump the line.

New, separate AI waitlist coming in iOS 18.2

iOS 18.1 used a waitlist for all of its Apple Intelligence features. But there’s a new, standalone waitlist coming in iOS 18.2.

Even if you have access to AI on iOS 18.1, certain features in 18.2 require joining another waitlist. These include:

Genmoji
Image Playground
Image Wand for iPad

These three AI image generation tools are being rolled out slowly to all users.

The slow rollout is a byproduct of Apple’s ‘Responsible AI’ principle to ‘Design with care,’ which means:

We take precautions at every stage of our process, including design, model training, feature development, and quality evaluation to identify how our AI tools may be misused or lead to potential harm. We will continuously and proactively improve our AI tools with the help of user feedback.

Basically, Apple wants to make sure its features aren’t being used in unintended and potentially harmful ways.

From what we’ve seen during the iOS 18.2 beta cycle, user wait times are typically longer this go around than they were with the iOS 18.1 waitlist.

So here’s the best method for getting ahead.

iOS 18.2 public beta will put you at the front of the waitlist

iOS 18.2 just released its RC (release candidate) beta. That means it’s the same software build expected to ship widely to all users in the public launch.

Normally, installing beta software comes with a risk of additional bugs or performance issues. But with the RC, you’re installing the same exact software as what’s coming to all users.

Thanks to Apple’s free public beta program, you can:

Install that RC version of iOS 18.2 today
Join the AI waitlist
And beat the masses who will be joining after the wide launch

How to join the new AI waitlist

To get the public beta, you have to first sign up at beta.apple.com.

After enrolling your device, you’ll be able to download iOS 18.2 via the Software Update page in your iPhone’s Settings app.

Then, once the update is installed, open Genmoji from the emoji keyboard, or open the new Image Playground app. Both of these places will provide the option of hopping on the 18.2 AI waitlist.

You still need an AI-compatible device, and it’s hard to say how long your wait will be—but it will definitely be a lot faster than the millions who update to iOS 18.2 after its full launch.

Are you planning to join the iOS 18.2 AI waitlist early? Let us know in the comments.