A couple of weeks after seeding the first beta, iOS 18 beta 2 is now available to developers. Historically, Apple doesn’t add many changes with its second testing version, as it usually prepares more robust features starting with beta 3 and the imminent public beta availability.
We expect iOS 18 beta 2 to offer general improvements and fix some of the most common bugs users are facing. Apple will also continue to work on upcoming features.
For example, with iOS 18 beta 1, Apple started tweaking the Home Screen, Lock Screen, and Control Center. Now, apps can be organized in any way, which means they can be placed anywhere. App icons and widgets can take on a new look with a dark or tinted effect, and users can make apps appear larger to create the perfect experience for them. In the Lock Screen, it’s possible to choose new widgets instead of the Flashlight and Camera options.
For the Photos app, Apple is bringing its biggest redesign to date with iOS 18. The company wants to make it easier for users to find and relive special moments. With a single-view display, it offers new collections to help users browse by themes without having to organize content into albums.
iOS 18 beta 2 keeps tweaking the Messages app with its powerful new features, including all-new text effects, personalized messages, tapbacks with any emoji, and scheduled messages.
Users can also experience the new Passwords app. Built on the foundation of Keychain, the new Passwords app makes it easy for users to access their passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi passwords, and verification codes.
Lastly, Apple has released new features that let users lock and hide apps. When an app is locked or hidden, content like messages or emails inside the app is hidden from search, notifications, and other places across the system. Users can only unlock it with Face ID and Touch ID. BGR teaches you how to hide and lock iPhone apps in iOS 18.
Alongside iOS 18 beta 2, Apple is also releasing the second testing versions of iPadOS 18, watchOS 11, macOS Sequoia, tvOS 18, and visionOS 2.
