Apple Releases First Public Betas of iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 With Freeform App, Stage Manager External Display Support and More

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 updates to public beta testers, opening up the software to the general public. Today's beta comes one day after Apple provided the beta to developers.

iOS 16
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's free beta testing program can download the ‌iOS and iPadOS 16.‌2 betas over the air after installing the proper certificate from the Public Beta website.

iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2 introduce the Freeform app, which can be used for jotting down notes, sketching, drawing, brainstorming ideas, creating mood boards, and more. Multiple people can work on the same Freeform board, with changes synced for all participants in real time.


For the iPad, the update brings external display support to the Stage Manager multitasking feature, allowing up to eight apps to be used at once. External display support is available for the M1 and M2 ‌iPad‌ models.

ipados stage manager external display
There is a new Home app architecture coming in iOS and iPadOS 16.2, which Apple says is designed to bring faster, more reliable performance, especially in homes with a lot of smart home accessories. The new architecture requires the HomePod 16.2 beta software, and it causes the Home app not to work with devices updated to iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, or macOS Ventura 13.1.

Unintentional Emergency SOS calls can be reported to Apple in iOS 16.2, and there are a few other minor changes that can be found in our iOS 16.2 feature guide.

Related Forum: iOS 16

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro Dual Tone Horizontal 1

iPhone 17 Pro Launching This Year With These 8 New Features

Tuesday January 28, 2025 11:48 am PST by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. iPhone 17 Pro concept based on rumors Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of January 2025: More aluminum: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro models ...
m3 macbook pro blue

Apple Explains How to Keep Your Mac From Turning on When Opening Lid

Thursday January 30, 2025 4:14 pm PST by
Apple designed Macs with Apple silicon chips to automatically turn on and start up when the Mac's lid is opened or when the Mac is connected to power, but there is a workaround in macOS Sequoia if you don't like this behavior. In a new support document, Apple provided separate instructions on how to prevent an Apple silicon Mac from turning on when the lid is opened or when it's connected to ...
50 New iPhone Features Apple Added Since iOS 18 1

50 iPhone Features Apple Added to iOS 18 Since September

Thursday January 30, 2025 2:41 am PST by
Since iOS 18 was released in September 2024, Apple has introduced an unprecedented number of new features and improvements across several point updates. With iOS 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3, users have seen a host of tweaks and changes designed to enhance everything from the Mail app to Camera Control on the iPhone 16. Below, we've listed 50 of the features and changes that have been rolled out...
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

iPhone 17 Air Design, Specs, and More: All the Rumors So Far

Wednesday January 29, 2025 4:00 am PST by
This year, Apple is expected to discontinue the iPhone "Plus" device in its iPhone 17 lineup to make way for an iPhone "Air," so-called because of its thin profile. Below is a compilation of every rumor and leak we have registered from reputable sources thus far about Apple's new entry in its flagship smartphone lineup. iPhone 17 "Air"? About the Name There has been some uncertainty...
airpods 4 blue

Apple Finally Explains How to Install New Firmware on Your AirPods

Monday January 27, 2025 11:17 am PST by
Apple regularly releases new firmware for the AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max, but the company has historically provided limited information on how to initiate an update. That changed today, and Apple updated its AirPods firmware support page with more specific instructions. Prior to today, here's what Apple said on the subject: Firmware updates are delivered automatically while your...
Generic iOS 18

When Will Apple Release the iOS 18.4 Beta?

Wednesday January 29, 2025 3:11 pm PST by
On January 27, Apple released iOS 18.3, iPadOS 18.3, and macOS Sequoia 15.3, which means we're now ready for a new round of beta testing. The next betas are rumored to have important new Siri Apple Intelligence features, so when can we expect the software? There are typically few pauses between beta updates, and Apple often seeds a new beta just a day or two after new software comes out....
iPhone 17 Air Size Feature

Apple CEO Tim Cook: There's a 'Lot of Innovation' Left for Future iPhone Development

Thursday January 30, 2025 2:43 pm PST by
During today's earnings call covering the first fiscal quarter of 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook was asked about whether he felt there was room for form factor innovation in future iPhone models, with the question hinting perhaps spurred by rumors of the upcoming "iPhone 17 Air." Cook often declines to provide insight into future products during earnings calls, but he did give an encouraging...
windows 11 iphone start menu

Windows 11 Now Lets You Access Your iPhone from the Start Menu

Thursday January 30, 2025 1:21 am PST by
Microsoft has announced an update to Windows 11 that allows iPhone users to access their devices directly from the Start menu, bringing feature parity with its existing Android phone integration. The new functionality lets you view your device's battery status, cellular connectivity, and recent activities without leaving the Windows environment. You can also access messages, calls, and file...

Top Rated Comments

TigerNike23 Avatar
30 months ago

Don't bother. There is a strong WFH bias from some people. They believe WFH means slacking off all day watching TV and playing video games. As if someone could stay employed that way. They also act like the software and hardware was perfect before WFH became a bigger thing. They are personally too irresponsible to work remotely and be productive (therefore stay employed) so they project that onto all others.
I’m about to start a WFH job and I’m thrilled. That’s less time in traffic and less money spent on gas. I can sleep in a little later too!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
deebinem Avatar
30 months ago

What you are seeing with so many Bugs is the result from working from home. Less productive. More distractions. This is what you get.
You mean to tell me that my hour commute each way, 30 minute water cooler talk, non-stop colleague "drop bys", non-stop building "alarm tests", happy-hours starting an hour before EOD made me MORE productive?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
t0rqx Avatar
30 months ago
Fix the wifi! They really should return to 1 year stability/performance and 1 year new features.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
30 months ago

What, do you mean my WiFi issues are caused by iOS and not my router? The frequent drops?
Yes MR has an article on it right before this one. You got Apple'ed, dude.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
30 months ago

You mean to tell me that my hour commute each way, 30 minute water cooler talk, non-stop colleague "drop bys", non-stop building "alarm tests", happy-hours starting an hour before EOD made me MORE productive?
Don't bother. There is a strong WFH bias from some people. They believe WFH means slacking off all day watching TV and playing video games. As if someone could stay employed that way. They also act like the software and hardware was perfect before WFH became a bigger thing. They are personally too irresponsible to work remotely and be productive (therefore stay employed) so they project that onto all others.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ProfessionalFan Avatar
30 months ago

I’m about to start a WFH job and I’m thrilled. That’s less time in traffic and less money spent on gas. I can sleep in a little later too!
And you'll be just as productive as in-office, heck possibly MORE productive.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)