iOS 18.2 adds focus/exposure lock to iPhone 16 Camera Control

When Apple announced the iPhone 16 in September, the company showcased some of the capabilities of the new Camera Control – including the ability to switch between camera modes and swipe to zoom. But there was one feature missing, and it’s now coming with the latest beta of iOS 18.2. That’s the ability to lock focus and exposure using Camera Control.

Camera Control gets new capabilities with iOS 18.2

With iOS 18.2 beta 2, which was released to developers on Monday, Apple has finally added the focus and exposure lock to Camera Control on iPhone 16 models. The new feature must be enabled in the Camera app settings. Once enabled, users can lightly press and hold Camera Control to lock both focus and exposure in the current settings.

Camera settings remain locked until the user releases their finger from the button. Apple had already shown this feature in action during one of the iPhone 16 demos in September, but the company said the feature would become available with a future software update. Now we know that update is iOS 18.2.

Apple began testing iOS 18.2 even before releasing iOS 18.1 to the public. The update is a big one and brings many new features related to Apple Intelligence, including Genmoji, Image Playground, ChatGPT integration and Visual Intelligence on iPhone 16 models. It also makes it easier to manage default apps and expands Apple Intelligence to more countries.

According to Apple, iOS 18.2 will be released to the public in December. A beta version is available exclusively to developers for now.

Spot any changes in today’s release of iOS 18.2 beta 2 or iPadOS 18.2 beta 2? Let us know in the comments below, on Twitter @9to5Mac, and on Threads @9to5Mac. Stay tuned for our full hands-on coverage with the new releases right here at 9to5Mac today and throughout the rest of the week.

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