Release record
Release notes
Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.
iPadOS 18.2 broadened the Apple Intelligence toolset on supported iPads with Image Playground, Genmoji, Image Wand, more flexible Writing Tools, and optional ChatGPT access from Siri and Writing Tools.[1]
Source ledger
Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.
Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 18.2 and iPadOS 18.2 security content
Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iPadOS 18.2 — Safari, Find My, media apps, and Photos
Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iPadOS 18.2
Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · Released December 11, 2024
Apple Developer · 2026-07-29
Documented & observed
Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.
Release changes
Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.
feature · introduced
Supported iPads could use ChatGPT through Siri or Writing Tools, including composition from a prompt, without requiring a ChatGPT account; signed-in use followed the account’s data terms.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
Share Item Location generated a temporary, controlled way to share an AirTag or Find My network accessory location with trusted organizations such as participating airlines.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
Image Wand could turn sketches or nearby note content into images, and Writing Tools accepted a description of the transformation the user wanted.
Recorded at Public
enhancement · changed
Natural-language search in Music and TV accepted descriptions combining categories, while Podcasts added favorite categories and a more personalized Search page.
Recorded at Public
feature · introduced
Image Playground generated animation or illustration-style images, while Genmoji created custom emoji from descriptions and could use people from the photo library.
Recorded at Public
enhancement · changed
HTTPS Priority upgraded URLs to HTTPS when possible, while file-download Live Activities made progress visible outside Safari.
Recorded at Public
Milestones
Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.
Developer beta
Developer beta
Developer beta
Developer beta
Release candidate
Release candidate
Public release
The public iPadOS 18.2 release expanded Apple Intelligence creation and writing tools while adding Safari, Find My, media-search, Podcast, and Photos improvements.
Historical context
Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.
Historical avg for .2 releases
43 days, 5.8 milestones
Based on 6 previous iPadOS .2 releases
Cycle vs. platform average
49d (avg: 50d)
1 days shorter than the iPadOS average
Duration ranking
#15 of 46
Middle of the pack iPadOS beta cycles
Longest gap in this cycle
15 days
Between Beta 4 and RC
| Version | Year | Cycle | Milestones | Avg. Interval |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPadOS 26.2 | 2025 | 38d | 6 | 8d |
| iPadOS 17.2 | 2023 | 46d | 6 | 9d |
| iPadOS 16.2 | 2022 | 49d | 6 | 10d |
| iPadOS 15.2 | 2021 | 47d | 6 | 9d |
| iPadOS 14.2 | 2020 | 49d | 6 | 10d |
| iPadOS 13.2 | 2019 | 26d | 5 | 7d |
Scroll horizontally to compare every historical field.