Practical: Changes and features of iOS 18.2 Beta 3 [Video]

iOS 18.2 Beta 3 isn’t loaded with tons of user-related changes like the previous two iOS 18.2 betas, but there are a few interesting changes included. In addition to a new camera control setting for iPhone 16 users, the third developer beta version 18.2 brings a new customizable tab bar for the TV app on iPad and a much-needed update to the video playback UI in the Photos app. For more details, see our handy video guide.

What’s new in iOS 18.2 Beta 3?

Camera Control – Screen must be on

As explained by 9to5Mac Editor-in-Chief Chance Miller, iOS 18.2 Beta 3 includes a new setting for iPhone 16 users related to camera controls. In previous versions of iOS, attempting to launch the configured camera app using the camera control button required two button presses when the screen was off – press once to wake up the device and press once to launch the camera app. In iOS 18.2 Beta 3 there is a new setting to change this behavior.

By navigating to Settings → Display and brightnessYou will find a new one Screen must be turned on Switch at the bottom of the page. Enabled by default, this switch can be disabled to allow the camera app to be launched with just a single press of the camera control button, even when the iPhone screen is turned off.

Video: iOS 18.2 Beta 3 changes/features

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Photos app video playback UI update

Perhaps the most notable change in iOS 18.2 developer beta 3 is an update to the video playback UI in the Photos app. iOS 18 introduced a UI that hid the thumbnail preview of the rest of the photos while viewing a video in full screen mode. iOS 18.2 fixes this issue by displaying the thumbnails on top of the video so you can easily navigate between other content while watching your videos.

Writing tools copy and paste menu update

If you open the Copy and Paste menu and select text at the same time, the Writing tools The option will now appear in the first section of the menu. In previous versions of iOS, you had to scroll through the menu to find writing tools.

Find My – “Share item location” details.

Apple has provided new details about the Share Location feature that first appeared in the second developer beta of iOS 18.2. New details on participating airlines, functionality and device compatibility were announced in a press release. These and other flagship iOS 18.2 features like ChatGPT integration are widely expected to roll out next month, possibly as early as the week of December 2nd.

iPadOS 18.2 Beta 3 Customizable tab bar for the TV app

Finally, in iPadOS 18.2 Beta 3 there is a new customizable tab bar for the TV app. These customizable tab bars aren’t new, as apps like Music have been around since the launch of iOS 18. However, until now there was no such bar in the TV app. This can be customized using elements from the traditional sidebar that appears on the left side of the viewing area.

A customizable tab bar in the TV app is particularly useful given the wide variety of channel integrations and filters available across TV and movie collections.

9to5Mac’s Take

As we highlighted in our iOS 18.2 Beta 1 and Beta 2 recaps, the ChatGPT integration is undoubtedly the standout feature and an important part of Apple Intelligence’s Phase 2 rollout. But these other new additions, particularly the Photos app fix, are notable changes that will make iOS better. What do you think? Comment your thoughts in the comments.