Apple fans are predicting the release date of the new iOS 18.2 update after spotting a clue shared by a cell phone provider.
British mobile network EE recently announced that customers will not be able to use its number sharing service on MacBooks and iPads from December 9.
Most carrier updates are released alongside Apple’s software updates, meaning the phone company may have indirectly revealed when iOS 18.2 will be released to all users.
The information has set social networks on fire and iPhone users are rejoicing about the upcoming iOS date.
“Apple is expected to release iOS 18.2 in December, possibly on December 9,” shared one user on X.
“The update could include expanded Apple Intelligence capabilities, which is what many of us Apple users are eagerly awaiting,” they added.
The third beta test of iOS 18.2 was released on November 20, which introduced Wi-Fi calling for other devices and new Apple Intelligence features.
However, the company has not confirmed when its 1.46 billion global customers would receive the update.
Apple fans have guessed that the company will publicly release its iOS 18.2 software update on December 9. This is based on a telephone operator’s message to its customers saying it would eliminate its smart number service.
Last month, some Apple users had speculated that the iOS 18.2 update would be released on December 2, but EE’s message seemed to indicate a later release.
“I recently received a message that their Smart Number service will end on December 9th,” one person on X wrote.
‘Now, MacRumors suggests that this could indicate the release date of iOS 18.2. Do any other users see this as a sign? Until now my money was in 2nd. December.’
EE told its customers: ‘We wanted to inform you that from 9 December you will no longer be able to use your EE number sharing service on MacBooks and iPads.
‘The functionality of the watch, along with the iCloud number sharing feature provided by Apple, will not be affected.
“We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this update.”
Some iPhone users reported that a December 9 release date would make sense because Apple typically releases its updates on Mondays and doesn’t make any new changes to its software during the holiday season.
The iOS 18.2 update will include the Image Playground feature (pictured) that allows users to create a cartoon-like image from images in their photo library or other prompts.
The update will also include a Genmoji feature that uses text messages to let users create their own custom emojis.
The update will introduce new Apple Intelligence features to the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, including Genmoji, Image Playground, and ChatGPT integration for Siri.
Genmoji will allow customers to use text messages to create their own custom emoji image that will be accessible through the Messages and Notes apps.
Likewise, Image Playground uses text descriptions, concepts, and images from your photo library to create a cartoon illustration on your iPhone.
It will also include Visual Intelligence, which will allow users to identify what is around them by using the Camera application, which will provide information about nearby stores and restaurants.
The update will come with a new writing tool that offers more customization for text messages and emails that will automatically generate tone and formatting based on user input.
Users expressed their excitement about the new features, with one person promoting X: ‘Apple releases iOS 18.2. This is the biggest update in the history of iOS!’