iPadOS 16.2 now available with Freeform app, Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, and more

Apple has released iPadOS 16.2, adding Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, SharePlay support in Game Center for multiplayer games, Apple’s all-new Freeform app, and more.

Available now for iPad, the update adds Stage Manager improvements, Apple Music Sing, Advanced Data Protection for iCloud, and other features and bug fixes, including improved search in Messages to find photos based on a user’s content, like a dog, car, person, or text, Tracking Notifications to alert users if an AirTag separated from its owner is nearby and has recently played a chime to indicate it is moving, News articles in Weather, and more.

First shown off earlier this year, Apple is rolling out its new Freeform app with iPadOS 16.2 — the cross-device flexible canvas app that gives users the ability to see, share, and collaborate all in one place.

Available now on the App Store, users can add photos, video, audio, documents, PDFs, web links, stickies, and more anywhere on a Freeform’s board. The app has a library of over 700 shapes and alignment guides for creating visuals, and allows users to scan paper documents with the built in document scanner to archive documents and annotate them, right on the board.

iPadOS 16.2 includes Apple’s new Advanced Data Protection feature which, when enabled, gives users the choice to protect the vast majority of their most sensitive iCloud data with end-to-end encryption so that it can only be decrypted on their trusted devices.

Available now over-the-air, Apple’s new iPadOS 16.2 update can be downloaded by opening the Settings app, tapping General and selecting Software Update.