Apple has released iPadOS 16.2 with external display support, though the feature is limited to iPads with M-series processors.
External display support is here
Freeform and external display support are the headlining features for iPadOS 16.2. Both features were announced during WWDC 2022 but didn't make the initial release.
The iPadOS 16.2 release offers some further refinements to Stage Manager, though bugs still persist throughout this multitasking system. We laid out the extent of the issues with Stage Manager in our iPadOS 16.1 review.
Full external display support had appeared during the initial iPadOS 16 betas, but Apple removed it before the delay and final release. Now, external display support is back for M-series iPad users.
External display support has been a long-requested feature of iPad power users, and Apple announced it alongside a new windowing feature called Stage Manager. This controversial feature had been limited to iPads with M1 or M2 processors until user complaints pushed Apple to rethink the feature.
Now, iPads with an A12X, A12Z, M1, or M2 processor can use Stage Manager. However, external display support is still limited to M-series iPads.
Freeform is a new collaboration app that allows multiple users to interact with a document at the same time. The document is a sort of infinite whiteboard where handwritten notes, links, images, and more appear where users place them in real-time.
iPadOS 16.2 also contains new features available in iOS 16.2 like the restructured Homekit backend, Apple News in the Weather app, and the featured Apple TV app section. Users will be prompted to update their HomeKit architecture, but anyone not running the latest releases will lose access to their Apple Home.
Apple included support for its new security-focused features in this release -- iMessage Contact Key Verification, Security Keys for Apple ID, and Advanced Data Protection for iCloud. Among other things, Advanced Data Protection enables end-to-end encryption of iCloud backups, Notes, and several other categories that weren't fully protected before.
The release notes also mentioned that AirDrop would get a 10-minute time limit for users who select "Everyone." This is meant to be a protection against unsolicited images.
How to install iPadOS 16.2
- Open the Settings app.
- Select General.
- Select Software Update.
- Select "Update to iPadOS 16.2."
has confirmed that the release is being served to users. It can take some time for Apple's content delivery network to fully populate, and servers will be under load. Both factors impact local visibility for any given user.