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Release record

iOS 10.2

Full article
Public release
Recorded milestones
8
Beta cycle
42d
Average interval
6d
Public release
Dec 12, 2016

Release notes

Overview

Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.

Release overview

iOS 10.2 reached the public release channel on December 12, 2016.[1][2]

The update introduced Apple’s TV app in the United States, added and redesigned emoji, improved Photos and Messages, expanded HomeKit notifications and accessibility support, and delivered a broad security update.[3][2][4]

Source ledger

References

Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.

  1. About the security content of iOS 10.2

    Apple Support · Apple · 2023-11-03T00:00:00.000Z · iOS 10.2 — Released December 12, 2016

    Back to text ↑
  2. About iOS 10 Updates

    Apple Support · Apple · 2024-01-10T00:00:00.000Z · iOS 10.2

    Back to text ↑
  3. About the security content of iOS 10.2

    Apple Support · Apple · 2023-11-03T00:00:00.000Z · iOS 10.2 — security content

    Back to text ↑
  4. Apple unveils new TV app for Apple TV, iPhone and iPad

    Apple Newsroom · Apple · 2016-10-27T00:00:00.000Z · TV app availability in December

    Back to text ↑

Documented & observed

Changes in this version

Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.

Release changes

Changed in this release

Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.

security · fixed

iOS 10.2 security fixes

documentedconfirmed

Apple’s advisory documents a wide security correction set included with the December 12 public release.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About the security content of iOS 10.2 · iOS 10.2 — security content

bugFix · fixed

HomeKit, accessibility, and reliability improvements

documentedconfirmed

The maintenance portion of iOS 10.2 improved accessory notifications, assistive technologies, connectivity, communications, and built-in apps.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 10 Updates · iOS 10.2 — Accessibility; Other improvements and fixes

enhancement · changed

Photos and Messages improvements

documentedconfirmed

The update refined photo capture and organization while adding love and celebration effects to Messages.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 10 Updates · iOS 10.2 — Photos; Messages

enhancement · changed

Expanded and redesigned emoji

documentedconfirmed

The release expanded the emoji set across people, food, animals, sports, professions, and other groups.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 10 Updates · iOS 10.2 — Emoji

Milestones

Release history

Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.

  2. +7 days
  3. +7 days
  4. +14 days
  5. +4 days
  6. +3 days
  7. +2 days
  8. +5 days

    Public release

    Public

    Full articleEditorially verified

    iOS 10.2 reached the public release channel on December 12, 2016. The update introduced Apple’s TV app in the United States, added and redesigned emoji, improved Photos and Messages, expanded HomeKit notifications and accessibility support, and delivered a broad security update. This article records the public appearance only and does not assign cumulative notes to an earlier beta or infer an undocumented build document.

    Availability
    available
    Sources
    9 linked
    Open this appearance

Historical context

Cycle comparison

Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.

Historical avg for .2 releases

46 days, 5.6 milestones

Based on 13 previous iOS .2 releases

Cycle vs. platform average

42d (avg: 58d)

16 days shorter than the iOS average

Duration ranking

#53 of 92

Middle of the pack iOS beta cycles

Longest gap in this cycle

14 days

Between Beta 3 and Beta 4

Previous .2 releases (iOS)

Previous comparable iOS releases
VersionYearCycleMilestonesAvg. Interval
iOS 26.2202538d68d
iOS 18.2202449d78d
iOS 17.2202346d69d
iOS 16.2202249d610d
iOS 15.2202147d78d
iOS 14.2202049d610d

Scroll horizontally to compare every historical field.

Official release notes