Apple has released iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, macOS Monterey 12.1, watchOS 8.3, tvOS 15.2 and HomePod Software Version 15.2 for supported devices. The common feature that all these new updates bring to the users is the addition of Apple Music Voice Plan support which allows access to Apple Music using Siri. The latest iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS updates also include App Privacy Reporting, which helps users see data accessed by apps, including Apple’s native and third-party apps.
What’s New in iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2
According to the details available in the official changelogs, one of the most notable additions that iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 bring is the Apple Privacy Report. The optional feature is an extension of the existing Record App Activity and allows you to see how often apps access your data such as your location, camera and microphone. It will also let you see information about an app’s network and website’s network activity to break down which web links were accessed through your installed apps or which websites you visited directly within those apps.
You can enable App Privacy Reporting by going to settings > Privacy > App privacy report. The feature may take some time to drill down to app data.
The other big change that iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 brings to iPhone and iPad users respectively is the communication safety setting that allows parents to enable warnings that will appear when their children receive or send nude photos. It was announced alongside updates to Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) that raised privacy concerns among users.
Apple has also updated Siri, Spotlight and Safari Search with expanded guidelines to help kids and parents stay safe online and get help in unsafe situations, the aforementioned changelogs.
The latest iOS and iPadOS updates also include Digital Legacy, which helps you designate your loved ones as legacy contacts to allow them access to your iCloud account and personal information in the event of your death.
The Apple Music Voice Plan has also been added as a new subscription tier to allow you to access all your favorite songs, playlists and stations on Apple Music using Siri. It was announced alongside the launch of the AirPods (3rd generation) in October and is available for Rs. 49 per month in India ($4.99 in the US).
For iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 15.2 brings a macro photo control to let you switch to the Ultra Wide lens to capture macro shots. The new version of iOS also allows Find My to locate your iPhone on power reserve for up to five hours.
iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 also introduced the Hide My Email in the Mail app for iCloud+ subscribers. It allows paid users to create random email addresses and hide their personal addresses.
Users with an iPad were also given the ability to access Quick Note by swiping up from the bottom left or bottom right corner of the screen. This experience is now available for Mac users. Furthermore, Apple has enabled iPhone and iPad users with the ability to delete and rename tags in Reminders and Notes.
You can see the various bug fixes included in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 by looking at the list below.
- Siri may not respond while VoiceOver is running and iPhone is locked
- ProRAW photos may appear overexposed when viewed in third-party photo editing applications
- HomeKit scenes that include a garage door may not play in CarPlay when iPhone is locked
- CarPlay may not update Now Playing information for certain apps
- Video streaming apps may not load content on iPhone 13 models
- Calendar Events May Show Up on the Wrong Day for Microsoft Exchange Users
- Siri may not respond while VoiceOver is running and iPad is locked
- ProRAW photos may appear overexposed when viewed in third-party photo editing applications
- Calendar Events May Show Up on the Wrong Day for Microsoft Exchange Users
Apple has also included some security fixes in iOS 15.2 and iPadOS 15.2 that are detailed on their support site.
What’s New in macOS Monterey 12.1
With macOS Monterey 12.1, Apple brought SharePlay to Mac. The new experience, which debuted on iPhone and iPad in October, lets you share content from the Apple TV app, Apple Music and other compatible apps via FaceTime calls.
The new version of macOS Monterey also comes with an updated Photos app, where you’ll get a redesigned carousel of memories with a new interactive interface, animations and transition styles, as well as several image collages. There are also new memory types, including additional international holidays, child-focused memories, trends over time, and enhanced pet memories.
Similar to the latest iOS and iPadOS updates, macOS Monterey 12.1 includes communication security settings in Messages and expanded guidance in Siri, Spotlight and Safari Search. The update also introduces Digital Legacy for Mac laptops. Also, Mac users get Hide My Email in the Mail app – just like iPhone and iPad users. There is also Apple Music Voice Plan support to get the new Siri-only music streaming experience.
Below are the bug fixes included in macOS Monterey 12.1.
- Desktop and screen saver may appear blank after selecting photos from photo library
- Trackpad may become unresponsive to taps or clicks
- External displays may not charge some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers when connected using Thunderbolt or USB-C
- HDR video playback on YouTube.com may cause panic on 2021 MacBook Pro computers
- Menu bar extras may be obscured by the camera bay on 2021 MacBook Pro computers
- MagSafe may stop charging on MacBook Pro 16-inch 2021 computers when the lid is closed and the system is turned off
You can also see the security fixes that Apple has included in the latest version of macOS.
What’s new in watchOS 8.3
For Apple Watch users, Apple released watchOS 8.3 with features including Apple Music Voice Plan and support for App Privacy Report. The latter helps log data and sensor access that you can see on your connected iPhone. The watchOS update also fixes an issue where notifications interrupt Mindfulness sessions unexpectedly for some users.
Apple has also detailed a list of security fixes that are part of watchOS 8.3 on its support site.
What’s New in tvOS 15.2
Apple has brought tvOS 15.2 to Apple TV users with a new photo memory experience. As mentioned above, it comes with an interactive interface and includes new animation and transition styles, as well as various image collages. Apple Music subscribers will also hear music that aligns expert recommendations with their musical tastes and what’s in their photos and videos. The update also brings Siri support for Dutch and French in Belgium, Russian in Russia, and French, German, and Italian in Switzerland. You can let Siri find programs, music, and other things by going to settings > In general > Crab.
The tvOS update also brings views of Iceland and Scotland to the screensavers. Users can also download new antennas by accessing settings > In general > Screensaver.
In addition to new features, tvOS 15.2 brings a number of security fixes that are detailed on Apple’s support site.
What’s New in HomePod Software Version 15.2
HomePod users received HomePod software version 15.2 that supports the Apple Music Voice Plan to provide access to Apple Music content using Siri. Siri in the new software version also brings voice recognition support for up to six users in a home in French (Canada, France), Spanish (Mexico, Spain, US) and German (Austria, Germany).
In addition to the new HomePod software, the Home app has been updated with location-by-home services and sound check settings. It also allows users to allow per-user explicit content settings for music, podcasts, and third-party music services. Also, the app has made per-user and per-device listening history update settings for music and podcasts.
How to Download iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2
Users can download iOS 15.2 on their iOS 15 eligible iPhone or iPod touch model. Likewise, iPadOS 15.2 is supported on iPadOS 15 eligible iPad models. New iOS and iPadOS updates can be downloaded by going to settings > In general > Software update of the device.
How to download macOS Monterey 12.1
Apple has released macOS Monterey 12.1 for all eligible MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini and Mac Pro. You can manually check for the update by going to System Preferences > Software update after clicking on the Apple menu icon in the upper left corner of your computer screen. You can also alternatively get the update by visiting the about this mac setting in the Apple menu.
How to download watchOS 8.3
You can download watchOS 8.3 on Apple Watch Series 3 and up by going to In general > Software update in the Watch app on your iPhone. You can also download the update for your Apple Watch if you’re connected to Wi-Fi by going to settings > In general > Software update.
How to download tvOS 15.2
Users with a compatible Apple TV model eligible for tvOS 15 can download tvOS 15.2 on their devices by going to settings > System > Software Update. The new software version will also reach compatible devices if automatic updates are enabled on the user side.
How to Download HomePod Software Version 15.2
Apple sends software updates to HomePod and HomePod mini automatically. You can, however, check for HomePod software version 15.2 for your device by going to initial settings > Software update of the Home app. Make sure your connected Apple device is running the latest software version.