Apple released iOS 26.2, which brought a number of new convenience features and security updates. The update includes auto-generated chapters for episodes in the Podcasts app, the option to make AirDrop more secure using a verification code, alarms for Reminders and more. It also introduces new controls for how Liquid Glass appears on the Lock Screen, and adds a slider to adjust the level of transparency. The reduction also includes updates to iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS and tvOS.
What’s new in iOS 26.2 and iPadOS 26.2
It’s not exactly a major update in terms of features, but iOS and iPadOS 26.2 bring a bunch of quality-of-life improvements to apps including Apple Music, Podcasts and Games. In Apple Music, you’ll now see your Favorite Songs playlist in the Top Picks section, and lyrics will be available offline for songs you’ve downloaded. In addition to the automatically generated chapters, Podcasts will display links to any other podcasts mentioned in the episode you are listening to. And, Games is bringing in-game score banners, along with filters to the library to make it easier to find titles based on category and other descriptors. Apple says it has also improved support for Backbone and Razer controllers.
With iOS 26.2, Apple has made Safety Alerts for natural disasters and other emergencies more detailed, and they will now come with maps of affected areas and other useful information. For iPad users, Apple has added drag-and-drop gestures to its new window system to make multitasking easier. The update for iPhones and iPads also addresses several potential security issues, including vulnerabilities in WebKit that Apple says “could have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals on versions of iOS prior to iOS 26.” So, if you are not yet running the latest OS on your iPhone and iPad, it is a good time to update.
OS updates for the rest of the family
Beyond iPhone and iPad, macOS Tahoe 26.2 introduces Edge Light for Mac, which turns your display into a ring light for video calls. For the Apple Watch, 26.2 fixes an issue with songs stuck in the Music app, and adds some new controls to the Sleep app. The tvOS update brings the option to add profiles even for people who don’t have an Apple Account, and new restriction options for children’s profiles. With visionOS 26.2, Travel Mode now has settings for cars and buses, and you’ll now be able to use space accessories including “Logitech Muse in Notes, Freeform, and any PencilKit-enabled app” to create hand-drawn content with Apple Vision Pro.