Apple on Tuesday seeded the first beta of iOS 10.2 to public beta testers for testing purposes, just over one week after releasing the first major iOS 10 update, iOS 10.1, and one day after providing the iOS 10.2 beta to developers.
Here is everything that’s new in iOS 10.2:
Video Widget: There is a brand new widget for the stock Videos app, which is accessible by swiping to the right from the lock screen or the Home screen. The widget shows the available TV shows and movies the iOS user has access to, and selecting one of those options will launch the Videos app and begin playing the content.
Apple Music: There are new options to sort music within the Apple Music app, including by recently added, type, and title. Songs can now be sorted by artist and albums as well.
Emergency Contact Notifications: When activating the Emergency SOS feature within iOS or watchOS, designated emergency contacts will also be notified.
Preserve Camera Settings: With this feature, users can preserve their last selected camera settings in the stock app, including the ability to preserve Mode, Live Photo, or Filter.
New Wallpapers: There are new wallpapers to choose from within iOS 10.2 beta 1.
Screen Effects: There is a brand new “Celebrate” screen effect found within the Messages app.
Emoji: There are new emoji available, as well as some major redesigns to previously existing options. The new variety include avocado, shark, owl, croissant, pancake, selfie, drooling face, and more than a hundred new options. Profession emoji are part of the mix as well, for both males and females.
Installing iOS 10.2 Public Beta on iPhone, iPad or iPod touch
- First of all sign up to Apple’s Beta Software Program. Remember to use the same Apple ID that you use on your iOS device that will be running the beta. Also, make an up to date backup of your iOS device using iTunes.
- Once the sign up process is complete open Safari on your iOS device and then open this link. Download the iOS 10 beta Configuration Profile for your device. Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the profile properly.
- After installing the profile go to Settings > General > Software and see if you have an iOS 10 update available. If it is then download it OTA. If you are not seeing the update then return to the homescreen, close Settings app from App Switcher and try again.
Wrapping up, iOS 10.2 is shaping to be another major update following the release of iOS 10.1 with Portrait mode and a couple other improvements. With nearly a dozen new features and enhancements, iOS 10.2 should smooth out a few rough edges and improve experience for everyone.