Although iOS 14 has been out since last fall, Apple continues to add new features to its mobile software. The next update – iOS 14.5 – is currently in beta form. Apple has already sown this beta to developers, giving them a strict timeline for implementing the new transparency tracking apps in their apps. A public beta of iOS 14.5 is also available now.
Privacy transparency highlights the upcoming release, but we found more iOS 14.5 features that are noteworthy. Below, Apple has added a way to use Face ID to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask. This solution uses the Apple Watch to verify your biometrics.
We researched the iOS 14.5 beta to find the most important add-ons, but this is not a final list. It’s also possible that Apple will continue to add or customize features in a few weeks before the final iOS 14.5 release.
iOS 14.5 release date
You can now download iOS 14.5 as a public beta, which means a formal release date should appear soon. If you want to try the beta, we would recommend that you do so on a secondary device. We expect the final version of iOS 14.5 to be released sometime this month.
Unlock with Apple Watch with iOS 14.5
We all learned the shortcomings of Face ID when the COVID-19 pandemic occurred. Face masks knocked out the Face ID sensors, meaning we had to manually unlock the iPhones for the last year or so. Fortunately, Apple has found a solution, though it has one major caveat: you need an Apple Watch.
Unlocking with Apple Watch is exactly how it sounds. With the portable Apple, you can bypass Face ID to unlock your iPhone. This requires that both devices be very close to each other, otherwise you have to unlock the phone manually. The Apple Watch also needs to be unlocked to make it work.
Once you have iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, you can go Institutions under Face ID and password. Remember that you cannot use Unlock with Apple Watch to verify Apple Pay or App Store purchases. You still need your face or password.
Application Transparency in iOS 14.5
iOS 14.5 adds new transparency policies for apps, which is a big change that Apple intends to implement since it first announced iOS last year. App developers, such as Facebook, will need to ask your permission to access your ad ID. With this ID, they can track you across programs and websites.
Some of these privacy features already exist in iOS 14, but 14.5 serves as the deadline for app developers to implement the new policies before the apps are removed from the App Store.
If everything is live, you will get a new pop-up window asking if you want to locate the app. Apple is again aiming for pure simplicity. This is a big step forward for privacy and we are excited to realize it.
Apple Maps Crowdsourcing Accidents (and Speed Traps) in iOS 14.5
In iOS 14.5, Apple Maps will copy a popular key feature from Waze. It will use real drivers to avoid traffic accidents, speed bumps and other traffic hazards, just as the main competitors can do. There’s a dedicated button in Maps to report something, available on the phone and in CarPlay – simple yet effective.
Set your default music app in iOS 14.5
With iOS 14, you can choose your own default browser and email apps, a long-term change. As we continue the momentum, Apple is releasing its grip a little more by letting you choose your own music streaming default program.
Asking Siri to play a song can open it in any app you set up, including Spotify. This means that you no longer have to specify in which app you want to play the song. Siri will only use the app you have set as default.
PS5 and Xbox Series X Support | S in iOS 14.5
Although both the PS5 and Xbox Series X have a shortcoming, you can still easily get hold of one of the new controllers. If you have one, whether a PlayStation 5 DualSense or Xbox Series X | S-controller, you can pair it with your iPhone in iOS 14.5.
Apple Fitness Plus AirPlay 2 support in iOS 14.5
iOS 14.5 enables AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness Plus, which means you can throw your workouts to any AirPlay 2 compatible screen.
Be aware that Apple Watch stats do not appear on the larger screen. You need to view these data points on your iPhone or iPad.
Dual-SIM 5G support in iOS 14.5
Dual-SIM iPhone users can use 5G worldwide on iOS 14.5 with the iPhone 12 series. Dual-SIM means you can have two separate service lines on one device. It is ideal for people who keep their work and personal lines separate, or for international travel.
When iOS 14.5 lands, both SIMs have access to full 5G speeds.
iOS 14.5 Outlook
There are many more that we have not discussed here, but this update contains many tweaks and new additions. Apple is planning to make this version a great version and we are excited that it will hit our iPhones and iPads.
If you do not want to wait for the full version of iOS 14.5, you can now get the public beta, provided you sign up for Apple’s beta app. It’s easy – just go to the Apple beta page in a browser on the device on which you want to install the beta. From there, register your iPhone in the app and use your Apple ID to sign in. Then follow the on-screen instructions to download a beta profile and install it on your phone.
One common caveat: while the iOS 14.5 beta is fairly stable, it’s still a beta, which means problems could arise. If you rely heavily on your phone during the day, you may not want to be subject to the fluctuations of beta software. If so, hold it until the full version of iOS 14.5 appears.