Everything new in iOS 14.5: Mask unlock, ATT, new controller support, more

Posted:
in iOS edited February 2021
With the initial beta of iOS 14.5 released to developers, Apple has clearly been hard at work on a pile of new features for users. Here's what we've dug up thus far for iPhone and iPad.

iOS 14.5 beta Gaming


Updated

Since release, we've spotted a number of other changes. With this update, Safari redirects Google Safe Browsing traffic to protect user privacy. Users have the ability to change their default music player via Siri.

Maps is now crowdsourcing accidents, hazards, and speed traps -- similar to Waze -- in this new beta.



Big changes afoot

Updates typically contain a number of changes, but iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 seem to have more than your normal share.

ATT Privacy tracking

The first major change is that starting with iOS 14.5, Apple is requiring applications to ask permission before using your device's unique advertising ID. While the mechanism was implemented prior to iOS 14.5, this update will make the privacy check mandatory.

If a user declines to be tracked and asks the advertiser not to track them, iOS prevents the app from having access to a unique ad identifier known as IDFA.

iOS 14.5 beta App Tracking Transparency


Apple announced the change would be coming with iOS 14.5 on Data Privacy Day last month.

Controller support

After showing up in earlier betas, it seems Apple is ready to release controller support for the newest PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X controllers.

iOS 14.5 beta DualSense


The PlayStation 5 DualSense controller even has support for the Share button. Press and hold to take a screenshot or double press to start capturing a screen recording.

Those, as well as all other buttons, can be customized inside a new category within Settings.

Face ID unlock

During the ongoing pandemic, unlocking your phone while wearing a face mask has been cumbersome with users forced to enter their passcode instead of using Face ID.

iOS 14.5 beta Unlock with Apple Watch


Apple lightened the burden a bit by tweaking Face ID to display the passcode entry prompt when identifying a user in a mask, but iOS 14.5 goes a step further.

With this update and the accompanying watchOS 7.5 update, Apple Watch users wearing masks will be able to automatically unlock their iPhones. It uses the Apple Watch as an additional means of verifying the user and includes haptic feedback, as well as the ability to re-lock the phone if need be.

Other changes

There are several other noteworthy changes included that are worth mentioning.

Users can now ask Siri to call emergency services for them. This update also brings global 5G dual-SIM support.

Apple Fitness+ users are able to cast their content from iPhone to the TV over AirPlay 2. That includes both Apple TV devices as well as televisions that support AirPlay 2 natively.

In the News app, Search is no longer relegated to Following and is now its own standalone tab. The Music app has a new Made For You section of mixes you should like and a new schedule icon is also present.

The Software Update screen gets a minor redesign with a streamlined aesthetic and a small green check mark to denote when you're up to date. Apple has updated the Podcast app as a whole with a new look that is very prominent in various parts of the app.

iOS 14.5 beta Podcast UI


There's a new interface when sending a message or typing to Siri, Reminders lists can be sorted and printed, and iPads now have a horizontal boot screen. In the Home app, there is a new "add" interface that allows you to quickly add scenes, accessories, rooms, or people with one tap of the plus button. Emoji search is also implemented on iPadOS.

Developers also discovered that code in iOS 14.5 hints at an upcoming update for Apple Card that brings support for multiple users. What appears to be called "Apple Card Family" will allow users to share access to the card via Family Sharing. There is also evidence of new financial health features arriving as well.

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 9
    I know it sounds stupid but it has long bugged me when turning on my iPad Pro while it is attached to its keyboard and positioned in landscape that the Apple logo is sideways. I’m really happy to see a change coming to that!
    williamlondonn2itivguywatto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 9
    thrangthrang Posts: 1,007member
    I know it sounds stupid but it has long bugged me when turning on my iPad Pro while it is attached to its keyboard and positioned in landscape that the Apple logo is sideways. I’m really happy to see a change coming to that!
    And future HW versions should place the camera the landscape bezel....I'm guessing almost all usage of an iPad is in landscape mode, so I'm getting a bit tired of my hand blocking the camera when unlocking...

    paraeekerwatto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 9
    Any adaptation of Face ID with masks seems like a lowering of security. Makes me a little uneasy. 
  • Reply 4 of 9
    Did you miss the Apple watch part of this? My watch has been seamlessly unlocking my iMac and MacBook Pro for a few years. It’s overdue with the mask situation and phones. It’s optional, only used with mask detected here, you are always notified via haptics, and it can be easily disengaged.
    GREAT!
    mike1llamacaladaniann2itivguywatto_cobra
  • Reply 5 of 9
    Any adaptation of Face ID with masks seems like a lowering of security. Makes me a little uneasy. 
    It looks like this can be selectively enabled in the Setting app.
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 6 of 9
    flydogflydog Posts: 1,123member
    Any adaptation of Face ID with masks seems like a lowering of security. Makes me a little uneasy. 
    You'll have to enlighten us by explaining how combining (1) a watch strapped to your wrist that you've already authenticated and (2) a positive match of your face from the cheekbones up, would make authentication less secure than using your entire face.  If anything, it seems like it would actually be more secure than face ID alone.  

    And how exactly would someone defeat this?  First, they would have to gamble on whether you've enabled this functionality. Then they would have to somehow guess the passcode to your watch (or torture you into revealing it) AND they would have to create a perfect replica of the most complex part of your face, including your eyeballs.

    Jesus. 


    watto_cobra
  • Reply 7 of 9
    Joer293Joer293 Posts: 29unconfirmed, member
    “You’re holding it wrong” - Steve Jobs. I don’t understand the mask issue. 

    Everyday  I unlock my iPhone 12 Pro with a mask on. And it worked with the previous iPhone before that. 20 times a day, every day. Just raise your phone up to eye level so it’s straight on.  It’s a bit weird at first, and Face ID will begin to adapt.  after I show people how to hold the phone they cant believe they didn’t figure it out.  Every so often I forget, holding my phone down lower, as if I had no mask on, but raising it up and voila it works. 
  • Reply 8 of 9
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,275member
    Joer293 said:
    “You’re holding it wrong” - Steve Jobs. I don’t understand the mask issue. 

    Everyday  I unlock my iPhone 12 Pro with a mask on. And it worked with the previous iPhone before that. 20 times a day, every day. Just raise your phone up to eye level so it’s straight on.  It’s a bit weird at first, and Face ID will begin to adapt.  after I show people how to hold the phone they cant believe they didn’t figure it out.  Every so often I forget, holding my phone down lower, as if I had no mask on, but raising it up and voila it works. 

    I don't believe your experience is typical. Did you initially set up Face ID with a mask?
  • Reply 9 of 9
    Interested to hear code found in iOS 14.5 beta 1 (and watchOS 7.4 beta) suggests Apple is working on introducing new commands and capabilities for Siri. I hope they are remembering accessibility for people with physical motor disabilities. Still can’t hang up a phone call with a Siri “end call” command, or turn on/off auto-answer with a Siri command.  The more Siri can do, the more baked the voice assistant‘s capabilities are, the more accessible Apple gear will be to people with physical motor disabilities
Sign In or Register to comment.