Less than a month after iOS 18.2 brought a wide range of new Apple Intelligence features to iPhone 16 series phones and iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, a much smaller update has arrived. There are no new features or security fixes, but the bug fixes included are likely to apply to all iPhones compatible with the latest iOS 18 software.
Apple iPhone 16.
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Please note that we will be updating this post over the next few days and will have a final review on Tuesday, January 14th.
Who is eligible and how do they get it?
Apple iOS 18.2.1 is compatible with all iPhones that can run iOS 18. This means all iPhones starting with iPhone XS, including 2nd and 3rd generation iPhone SE models.
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Bug fixes were key to this update, and while there weren’t the overwhelming issues introduced in iOS 18.2, there were plenty of small quirks that a small number of users experienced. We don’t know which ones are covered here.
Apple iOS 18.2.1 Security
The changes are made because it is almost never necessary to install this update solely for security reasons. Apple didn’t point out any security fixes, saying it contains “important bug fixes” and recommends it to all users.
initial reaction
So far, there have been mixed reactions. For example, users who were experiencing visual lag when opening and closing apps said it persisted. One iPhone owner said the situation is getting worse, not better, citing Bluetooth issues that prevent it from automatically connecting. Another person said, for example, that the RCS update that makes messages from Android users look better isn’t working consistently (although this may be a carrier issue rather than an iPhone issue).
Apple iOS 18.2.1 Initial Verdict: Update
Although some users are discovering various issues, there is a pattern that suggests these are not new issues, but previous issues that have not yet been fixed. So, while there are definitely areas to be concerned about, there don’t seem to be any new major issues, so updating seems to be the best advice. Exactly which bugs were squashed may become clearer in the coming days.
