iOS 18.2.1 Update: What’s New and Should You Update?

Today, Apple released the very first iOS update of 2025, iOS 18.2.1. This is a public release, not a beta, and is available to everyone not currently on the iOS 18.3 beta. This update came alongside iPadOS 18.2.1, but no other updates were released today. The update size is around 511 megabytes on the iPhone 16 Pro.

What’s New in iOS 18.2.1?

Apple mentions that this update provides important bug fixes, but does not specify what exactly has been fixed. The new build number is 22C161, and the modem firmware version is 1.21.05.

Bug Fixes and Improvements

Since this is a double-point update (18.2.1), it primarily focuses on bug fixes and security patches rather than new features. Here are some of the issues that users have reported and that might be addressed in this update:

  • Messages Application: Some users experienced notifications from group chats with “Hide Alerts” turned on. This might be fixed in this update.
  • Emoji Keyboard: There were reports of the emoji keyboard glitching and loading slowly. This could be resolved in 18.2.1.
  • Push Notifications: Applications installed after updating to iOS 18.2 might not send push notifications properly. This is a significant issue that could be fixed in this update.
  • Mail Application: Some users reported not receiving mail or phishing emails being categorized under the primary section. These issues might be addressed in 18.2.1.
  • Face ID: Delayed Face ID unlocking was another issue reported by users. This might be fixed in this update.

Performance and Battery Life

Initial impressions of iOS 18.2.1 suggest that it feels stable and performs well. Historically, double-point updates are known for being stable and improving performance and battery life. Geekbench scores show a slight improvement in multicore performance compared to iOS 18.2.

Security Patches

Apple did not mention any specific security fixes in the release notes, and there are no CVE entries for this update. This aligns with Apple’s statement that the update provides important bug fixes.

Should You Update?

If you are currently on iOS 18.2, it is recommended to update to 18.2.1. The update addresses several bugs and issues, and there is little to lose by updating. To update, go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the prompts.

Conclusion

iOS 18.2.1 is a minor but important update that focuses on bug fixes and stability improvements. While Apple has not provided detailed release notes, user reports suggest that several issues have been addressed. If you are experiencing any of the mentioned bugs, updating to iOS 18.2.1 is highly recommended.