{"id":200086,"date":"2025-12-23T16:52:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-23T16:52:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/200086\/"},"modified":"2025-12-23T16:52:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-23T16:52:13","slug":"ios-26-2-adds-new-features-in-six-iphone-apps-details-here","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/200086\/","title":{"rendered":"iOS 26.2 adds new features in six iPhone apps, details here"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\"\"<\/p>\n

iOS 26.2 is available now, and it\u2019s packed with a bunch of new features<\/a>. Many of those features are additions to Apple\u2019s built-in iPhone apps. Here\u2019s everything new across six Apple apps in iOS 26.2.<\/p>\n

Reminders<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Reminders used to be a simple list app, but after years of progress Apple has made it into a full-featured task manager. And iOS 26.2 adds a new feature I\u2019ve been wanting for years<\/a>.<\/p>\n

You can now mark a reminder as \u2018Urgent\u2019<\/a> when it has a set due time. Marking it \u2018urgent\u2019 means an alarm will go off on your iPhone when that reminder comes due.<\/p>\n

Just like your morning wakeup alarm, the new Reminders alarm can be snoozed for 9 minutes. So if you can\u2019t get to a task right then, you can silence the alarm temporarily without forgetting about the task entirely.<\/p>\n

The new alarm feature also uses Live Activities as a further visual prompt so you don\u2019t forget about a task.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple Podcasts<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple Podcasts is just one of many popular podcast apps available on iPhone, alongside YouTube, Spotify, Overcast, and more.<\/p>\n

But in iOS 26.2, three new features<\/a> make Apple\u2019s Podcasts app more compelling than ever:<\/p>\n

Automatic chapters<\/p>\n

Podcast mentions<\/p>\n

\u2019From this episode\u2019<\/p>\n

My early favorite of the group is automatic chapters<\/a>. Apple is using its excellent podcast transcripts<\/a> feature, feeding that transcript into its Apple Intelligence models, and creating chapters for all podcasts automatically.<\/p>\n

Tech-focused podcasts often have creator-generated chapters. But most mainstream podcasts don\u2019t offer chapters. Now in iOS 26.2, they do\u2014at least in Apple Podcasts.<\/p>\n

The other additions aim to make it easier for users listening to a show to access links to other podcast episodes that are mentioned by hosts, or recommendations of TV shows, music, books, and other links.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Freeform<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Freeform gains a powerful new feature in iOS 26.2: support for tables<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not familiar with Freeform, it\u2019s Apple\u2019s open canvas whiteboard\/playground app where you can create \u2018boards\u2019 filled with a mixture of text, images, charts, files, links, and more. It\u2019s especially great for collaboration.<\/p>\n

Now Freeform has expanded its available toolset with tables. If you\u2019ve used tables in other Apple apps like Notes, it\u2019s a similar experience in Freeform.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple Games<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple Games is a brand new app<\/a> that was added in iOS 26. And after gathering initial user feedback, Apple has three enhancements in iOS 26.2:<\/p>\n

Library Filters: Now you can filter your game library in several new ways, including by titles that offer challenges, or ones your friends are playing.<\/p>\n

Controller Support: If you\u2019re doing any serious gaming, there\u2019s a decent chance you might use a Bluetooth controller, so iOS 26.2 makes the Games app easier to navigate via controller.<\/p>\n

Real-time challenge updates: Challenge scores now stay current while you\u2019re playing thanks to live, real-time updates.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019re new to the Games app or a regular user, these changes should hopefully make it a more refined experience overall.<\/p>\n

Apple Music<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple Music gets a welcome change in iOS 26.2: support for offline lyrics<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Lyrics debuted years ago and quickly became one of my favorite features in the Music app. But they\u2019ve always required a Wi-Fi or cellular connection.<\/p>\n

Now lyrics will be available even when you\u2019re on a flight, underground train, or roaming the wilderness with no connection.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear exactly what triggers the Music app downloading a song\u2019s lyrics offline. Hopefully though, all music added to your Library will support the feature.<\/p>\n

\"Taylor<\/p>\n

Apple News<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Apple News has some great updates in iOS 26.2 centered around making the app\u2019s expanding feature set easier to access.<\/p>\n

iOS 26.2 brings several design changes<\/a> that surface previously buried features so they are much more prominent.<\/p>\n

For example, there are brand new quick links at the top of the Today screen for accessing sections like Puzzles, Sports, Politics, and Food.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the navigation tab bar has been updated in two ways. <\/p>\n

Following is a new tab containing content that used to be hidden behind the Search tab. And Search adds new quick link recommendations.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Which new iOS 26.2 features are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments.<\/p>\n

Best iPhone accessories<\/p>\n

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FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.<\/a><\/p>\n

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