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Apple released the release candidate versions of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, tvOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 to registered developers and public beta testers this evening.
Apple has now officially released the release candidate versions of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, tvOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4. As a reminder: Apple announced at the end of last year that the term "Release Candidate" would replace the previous term "Golden Master". In the future, Apple would like to use this to refer to a beta version that is nearing completion. iOS 14.5 adds a number of useful functions. However, it also makes a major change in the area of privacy and data protection. Here is an overview.
All new features in iOS 14.5
The biggest change in iOS 14.5 is a new feature that allows users to unlock their iPhone with their Apple Watch when wearing a face mask. The feature also requires watchOS 7.4. This means that if an unlocked Apple Watch is worn, the iPhone can be unlocked directly with Face ID despite a face mask. A code is not required. But there are some important exceptions. The "Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch" feature is limited to masks. It won't work if your iPhone can't detect whether you're wearing a mask. Additionally, the feature isn't available for things like Apple Pay, autofilling credit cards in Safari, or accessing Apple Card features in the Wallet app. These restrictions were deliberately implemented by Apple because the feature isn't as secure as direct Face ID authentication.
The App Tracking Transparency
However, the update also contains a particularly big change in the area of data protection and privacy. In iOS 14.5, Apple is introducing the so-called App Tracking Transparency (ATT).
App Tracking Transparency is a new iOS 14 feature that requires apps to ask for users' permission before tracking them across other apps and websites. In Settings, users can also see which apps have requested permission to track, so they can make changes if they see fit. Once this requirement goes into effect, users will, for example, see a pop-up when they open the Facebook app. This message states that Facebook wants to track the user across other apps and websites.
There will be two options that users can choose from: "Do Not Track" or "Allow." If a user opts out of tracking, Apple will prevent the developer of the app from accessing the user's advertising identifier. The developer will also be required to respect the user's tracking preference in general, which means that they cannot use other methods to track the user. Otherwise, the app could be removed from the App Store.
New iPhone update: Siri remembers preferred music application
In addition, the update adds a new Siri Intelligence feature that helps the virtual assistant adapt to your preferred music application. Apple has explained that there is no specific setting in iOS where users can configure a "default" music service, so this feature is specifically designed as a Siri Intelligence feature. This means that the first time a user asks Siri to play a song after installing iOS 14.5, Siri will ask them which app they want to use. After the user taps one of the options, it becomes the "default" for the next commands. This works for apps like Spotify, Pandora, and Amazon Music.
Additional features in iOS 14.5:
- New Objects tab in the Find My app for tracking AirTags and other third-party accessories
- iOS 14.5 code hints at support for Apple Card Family Sharing
- Horizontal home screen on the iPad
- Additional languages for Scribble on iPadOS 14.5
- Updates to the Music app, including swipe gestures, a lyrics sharing feature, and more
- AirPlay 2 support for Fitness+ workouts
- Waze-like features in Apple Maps
- Support for PS5 / Xbox Series X controllers
The new versions will be available to all users next week. Below we have listed the update description verbatim. (Photo by Murrstock / Bigstockphoto)
iOS 14.5 update description:
Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch
- Ability to unlock your iPhone X and later with Apple Watch Series 3 and later when trying to use Face ID while wearing a face mask
AirTag and Find My
- Support for AirTag to find and manage your important items like keys, wallet, backpack and more privately and securely in the Find My app
- Precision Find uses visual, audio and haptic feedback to guide you directly to your nearby AirTag, using the ultra-wideband of the U1 chip on iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models
- AirTag can be located by playing a sound through the built-in speaker
- The Find My network of hundreds of millions of devices can help you find your AirTag, even if it's not nearby
- Lost Mode notifies you when your AirTag is found and lets you enter a phone number where you can be contacted
Emoji
- Support for separate skin tones for each person in all variations of the Couple Kissing Emoji and Couple with Heart Emoji
- New face emojis, heart emojis, woman with beard emoji
Siri
- Siri now includes more language options
- Incoming calls can be announced with Siri, including who is calling when you're wearing your AirPods or compatible Beats headphones, and you can answer hands-free
- Group FaceTime calls are supported by asking Siri to make a list of contacts or a group name from Messages to FaceTime
- Emergency contacts can be called by asking Siri
Privacy
- App Tracking Transparency lets you control which apps can track your activity across other companies' apps and websites for advertising purposes or for sharing with data brokers
Apple Music
- Share your favorite texts via Messages, Facebook and Instagram Stories, and participants can play the snippet in Messages without leaving the conversation
- City charts show what is popular in over 100 cities around the world
Podcasts
- Podcasts show pages have been redesigned to make it easier to get started listening
- Option to save and download episodes that are automatically added to your library for quick access
- Download behavior and notification settings can be customized for each individual broadcast
- Top charts and popular categories in search help you discover new shows
5G improvements
- Dual-SIM support enables 5G connectivity on the line, which uses cellular data on iPhone 12 models
- Improvements in Smart Data Mode optimize the use of 5G networks for better battery life and data usage on iPhone 12 models
- 5G international roaming enabled on iPhone 12 models with supported network operators
Messages
- The redesigned News+ tab allows Apple News+ subscribers to quickly find, download, and manage magazine and newspaper editions
- Completely new search function that helps you find relevant topics, channels and stories
Maps
- Accidents, hazards or speed checks along your route can be reported via Siri on your iPhone or via CarPlay
- The estimated time of arrival (ETA) can be shared not only while driving, but also while cycling or walking by asking Siri or tapping the route map at the bottom of the screen and then tapping “Share ETA”
Reminders
- Ability to sort reminders by title, priority, due date or creation date
- Option to print your reminder lists
Translate
- The speed of translation playback can be adjusted by long pressing the play button
Play
- Support for Xbox Series X|S Wireless Controller or Sony PS5 DualSense™ Wireless Controller
Fitness+
- Ability to stream audio and video content from Apple Fitness+ workouts to AirPlay 2-enabled TVs and devices
CarPlay
- The estimated time of arrival (ETA) in Apple Maps can be easily shared while driving using the new Siri or keyboard controls in CarPlay
This version also fixes the following issues:
- Messages at the bottom of the thread may be obscured by the keyboard under certain circumstances
- Deleted messages may still appear in Spotlight search
- Messages may permanently fail to send text in some threads
- For some users, Mail only loads new emails after restarting the device
- The call blocking and identification section may not appear in the phone settings
- Cloud Tabs may not appear in Safari
- iCloud Keychain may not have been able to be turned off
- Reminders created through Siri may be inadvertently set for the early morning hours
- The battery health reporting system will recalibrate maximum battery capacity and peak power on iPhone 11 models to address inaccurate battery health report estimates for some users (https://support.apple.com/HT212247)
- Optimization to reduce the appearance of a faint glow that can occur at reduced brightness with a black background on iPhone 12 models
- AirPods audio routing to wrong device for auto-switching
- AirPods auto-switch notifications may be missing or appear twice
