OUT NOW: How to install and new features of apple iOS 16.2 are available now

The ‌‌iOS 16‌‌.2 update Apple’s can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. It can take a few minutes for the updates to propagate to all users due to high demand. Note that Apple has also released iOS 15.7.2 for iPhone users who have older devices, with the update offering security improvements.

Today’s iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 updates bring several notable features to ‌iOS 16‌ and iPadOS 16, including the Freeform app, which is a sort of digital whiteboard that you can use for anything, while also working collaboratively with friends and colleagues.

It includes the Apple Music karaoke feature called “Sing,” it introduces Advanced Data Protection for end-to-end encryption for more ‌iCloud‌ features, plus more. On the iPad, the update brings support for external displays on M1 and M2 iPads.

Apple’s full release notes for the iOS update are below:

Freeform

– Freeform is a new app for working creatively with friends or colleagues on Mac, iPad and iPhone

– A flexible canvas lets you add files, images, stickies, and more

Drawing tools let you sketch anywhere on the canvas with your finger

Apple Music Sing

– A new way to sing along with millions of your favorite songs in Apple Music

– Fully adjustable vocals let you duet with the original artist, sing solo, or mix it up

– Newly enhanced beat-by-beat lyrics make it even easier to follow along with the music

Advanced Data Protection for iCloud

– New option expands the total number of iCloud data categories protected using end-to-end encryption to 23 — including iCloud Backup, Notes, and Photos — protecting your information even in the case of a data breach in the cloud

Lock Screen

– New settings allow you to hide wallpaper or notifications when Always-On display is enabled on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

– Sleep widget lets you view your most recent sleep data

– Medications widget lets you view reminders and quickly access your schedule

Game Center

– SharePlay support in Game Center for multiplayer games so you can play with the people you are on a FaceTime call with

– Activity Widget allows you to see what your friends are playing and achieving in games right from your Home Screen

Apple TV

– Live Activities for Apple TV app let you follow your favorite teams with live scores right on your Lock Screen or in Dynamic Island on iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max

Home

– Improved reliability and efficiency of communication between your smart home accessories and Apple devices.

Apple also has some ‌iPad‌ specific notes:

Stage Manager

– External display support with resolutions up to 6K available on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (3rd generation and later), and iPad Air (5th generation)

– Drag and drop files and windows from your compatible device to your connected display, and vice versa

– Support for using up to 4 apps on the iPad display and 4 on the external display

Apple is rolling out its iOS 16.2 update for all users today along with iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1. The new version brings features like improved encryption for iCloud data, Live Activities on the home screen, and a Karaoke feature for Apple Music. Plus, Apple is also debuting its collaborative whiteboard app Freeform.

Apple is rolling out its iOS 16.2 update for all users today along with iPadOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1. The new version brings features like improved encryption for iCloud data, Live Activities on the home screen, and a Karaoke feature for Apple Music. Plus, Apple is also debuting its collaborative whiteboard app Freeform.Historically, Apple has encrypted sensitive data like passwords while storing it in iCloud. Now, the company is launching end-to-end encryption for most data with a new Advanced Data Protection mode. Emails, contacts and calendar events aren’t end-to-end encrypted as those services are based on unencrypted standard protocols. If you activate Advanced Data Protection, it means that only you can access your device’s data by authenticating your identity on a trusted device like an iPhone or a Mac. If anyone else tries to decrypt the data — including Apple — they’ll likely find gibberish.

You shouldn’t confuse this with Lockdown mode, which prevents threats like government-grade spyware attacks on journalists, activists, and human rights defenders.

With this iOS 16.2 rollout, all U.S.-based users will be able to secure their data behind encryption. The company said that a wider rollout is expected next year. At this stage, the Advanced Data Protection mode will protect things like device and message backups, reminders, Safari Bookmarks, Notes, photos, and voice memos.

Apple uses a combination of enhanced real-time lyrics sync for karaoke and on-device machine learning for splitting vocals from the music track. It also separates and highlights background vocals for a better group experience. The company said that at launch, this feature will be available for the top 80% of its most-played songs with more tracks being added along the way.

For months, users have spotted Spotify’s own karaoke feature in testing. But the company never officially confirmed any rollout. Now that Apple Music has made this feature available to its users, the pressure will be on Spotify to launch it on its service.