IOS 18.2 update arrives on December 11th with alarms in the Reminders app and improved Liquid Glass

Apple announced the release of iOS 18.2 for December 11, 2024, bringing regulatory changes specific to Japão. The update allows users to configure the iPhone’s side button to activate third-party voice assistants, such as the Google Gemini or Amazon Alexa, instead of the Siri. Essa change meets new Japanese government guidelines on mobile software interoperability.

The feature comes after the approval of Lei of Competição of Software Móvel in Japão, which requires equal access to operating system functions. Inicialmente limited to Japanese territory, support requires a local Apple account and country location. The company confirmed the functionality via documentation for developers, highlighting the integration via the App Intents framework.

Side button changes for the Japão

Users on Japão long press the side button to access alternative assistants. Desenvolvedores integrate voice apps directly into gesture, starting immediate audio sessions with libraries like AVFoundation.

The functionality does not extend to other markets for now, although analysts predict expansion to União Europeia under Ato from Mercados Digitais. No Japão, the option appears in system settings, allowing selection between Siri and approved third-party options.

Accessibility and productivity features

The Lembretes app gains an alarm option for urgent tasks. Ao mark a reminder as priority, the system emits persistent sound until the user interacts, with snooze or stop buttons on the lock screen.

• Blue alarms distinguish reminders from regular notifications in the Relógio app.
• Countdown appears on the lock screen for snoozing items.
• Integration with existing alarms from Relógio via permissions on Ajustes.

This addition resolves long-standing limitations, making alerts more visible and actionable.

The update also synchronizes alarms with the calendar, making daily management easier.

Visual customizations in iOS 18.2

The Liquid Glass has a slider to adjust the opacity of the clock on the lock screen. Usuários range from full transparent to matte effect, maintaining the complete deactivation option. Essa tool responds to feedback on readability in varied environments.

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In Matizado mode, the system reduces transparency but automatically disables accessibility options such as Reduzir Transparência or Aumentar Contraste. Animações in menus gain extra fluidity, with refraction effects in apps like Medida.

The feature expands to the Medida app, applying Liquid Glass bubbles to the leveler. Desenvolvedores test compatibility in betas, ensuring stability on OLED devices.

Alternative store options and searches

In Japão, iOS 18.2 enables installation from third-party app stores during initial setup. Usuários select preferred search engines such as Google or Bing in addition to the default Safari.

• Support sideloading of non-jailbroken apps via approved channels.
• Choose a search engine on the setup screen, with local options.
• Compliance with law from December 2025, at no additional cost to developers.

These changes promote competition by allowing alternative apps without hardware restrictions.

Integration with artificial intelligence

iOS 18.2 expands Apple Intelligence with tools like Image Playground and Genmoji for generating custom images and emojis. Siri integrates ChatGPT for complex responses, accessible without an external account, maintaining anonymity in prompts.

Writing Tools enhances text editing with contextual suggestions, available in English localized for Austrália, Canadá, and Reino Unido. No Japão, live translations via AirPods take effect, supporting regional languages.

• Genmoji creates emojis on demand via textual descriptions.
• Image Wand turns sketches into AI-generated images.
• Exclusive Intelligence skin for iPhone 16, using camera control.

The update arrives via Ajustes > Geral > Atualização from Software, compatible with iPhone XS or higher.