iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 is finally released introducing a slew of new changes and features. iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 is the biggest updates since iOS and iPadOS 14. The new software is not just the usual collection of tweaks, security updates and bug fixes. You can now download and notice some minor enhancements to the software along with high-profile features.
It includes app tracking for privacy and the ability to unlock your iPhone with an Apple watch. Cool right?
Now, let’s go through the changes and enhancements that we can see in iOS 14.5.
iOS 14.5 new features and enhancements
1. Unlock your iPhone with Apple Watch
Due to the pandemic unlocking the phone with Face ID has been difficult. Everyone is having to wear facemasks and the use of Face ID on the iPhone has been one of the most challenging tasks. We all have good news. With iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, Apple makes it easier to unlock iPhone while wearing a mask.
You can find an option “ Unlock with Apple Watch” which allows iPhone to use an unlocked and authenticated Apple watch as a secondary authenticator and still unlock your phone when Face ID cannot see your whole face due to face mask.
With this feature enabled, you don’t need to take off your mask or enter a passcode to unlock your phone.
The “ Unlock with Apple watch” option is available in Settings>> Face ID and Passcode.
So, what about security? Don’t worry, Apple offers some built-in security features to make sure the Apple watch authenticated for the unlocking process and make sure it is on your wrist. You will need to enter the passcode again once you take off your watch from your wrist.
As this is the proximity function, your watch and phone should be near and your face shouldn’t be fully covered. This is because the partial Face ID included will still look for your eyes.
One thing to keep in mind is that unlocked Apple watch cannot authenticate Apple Pay or App Store purchase or bypass Face ID locks in apps. You will still require a full Face ID scan or passcode.
2. Apple Maps Crowdsourcing for Speed checks, Accidents and Hazards
In iOS 14.5 Apple Maps main feature is copied from Waze. This feature uses real drivers to crowdsource road accidents, speed traps and other traffic hazards along the route in Maps when getting directions.
You can report an accident, speed traps or any other hazards using the “ Report” button at your location in the Apple Maps app. This feature is available directly on iPhone and CarPlay.
You can easily report an issue by tapping the info button available in the upper right corner of the Maps.
The information provided by the Apple Maps users will be displayed in the Apple Maps that offer earlier heads up at the accidents and hazards that need to be avoided.
3. AirTags Support
Apple’s newly released AirTags is also supported by iOS 14.5. It can be easily tracked within the “ Find My app. One cool feature on iPhone 11 and 12 is “ Precision Finding” which takes the advantage of the U1 chip for providing audible, visual and haptic feedback to guide you to the lost item.
The lost mode in the AirTags can be easily tracked via sound and can be found through the “ Find My Network” using iPhones, iPads or Macbook nearby the lost item.
4. App tracking transparency
App tracking transparency is one of the biggest addition to iOS 14.5. With this, App developers like Instagram or Facebook or any other will need to ask permission to access your advertising ID. They will be able to track you across the apps and websites with that ID.
According to a report published by AdWeek, around two-thirds of iPhone users will be able to take the advantage of this feature that could have an impact on free iOS apps in particular. A privacy feature like this already exists in iOS 14 but 14.5 serves as a deadline for an app developer to implement the new policy before apps get wiped out of the App Store.
If you have already downloaded iOS 14.5 you will see a new pop-up asking if you want to allow the app to track you whenever you download it. You can also go to Settings for managing which apps can and can’t track you while using your iPhone.
But some users have reported a bug with this new app tracking transparency feature in which the option for requiring the apps to ask permission is turned off by default. Let’s hope Apple will quickly address this bug.
5. AirPlay 2 for Fitness+
iOS, iPadOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4 enable AirPlay 2 support for Apple fitness+. With this Apple Fitness+ subscribers will be able to AirPlay their workouts to a compatible AirPlay 2-enabled smart TV or set-top box.
With these features, you can display Workouts on a bigger screen. But the sad news is Apple Watch metrics will not be displayed on the TV while AirPlaying from iPad or iPhone. The metrics like activity rings, calories burnt, set length, remaining workout time and burn bars will not show up on the TV set. You can view these metrics on a connected iPhone or iPad.
6. ETA(Estimated Time of Arrival) for Cycling or Walking directions
Now, you can find an option to send an ETA when getting directions for walking or cycling through messaging app. This can be easily done using Siri request or by tapping on the route card at the bottom of the screen.
7. Battery health recalibration
With this feature, you can track if your battery is underperforming. The battery health recalibration tool aims for fixing inaccurate estimates of battery health reporting. The major goal of this feature is to provide accurate information about the maximum capacity of your iPhone’s or iPad’s battery.
If the capacity has dropped, it’s an indication that you should quickly get your battery replaced. But the sad news is that this feature is available in iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max. We are not sure if the finished version will be expanded to the other models.
8. New Emoji Characters
You can find several new emoji characters including mending heart, heart on fire, face with spiral eyes, face in clouds, exhaling face along with different gender options for people with beards. You can even find an additional couple's emojis with new skin tone mixes.
Headphone emoji has been updated to look like the Airpods Max and syringe emoji to give neutral look that also works for vaccination.
9. Dual-SIM 5G support
Dula-SIM 5G support is a long-awaited feature for iPhone users who are taking the advantage of iPhone’s Dual-SIM functionality. On iPhone 12 models, it introduces global support for 5G.
With iPhone 12 you can get two lines of service on a single phone, useful for travelling or keeping separate work and home numbers. For the first time, iOS 14.5 allows Dual-SIM users worldwide to get 5G speeds on both lines.
10. 5G Data Usage Improvements
Smart Data Mode has been improved that offer optimization on 5G network data usage and extend the battery life. For supported carriers on iPhone 12 models, 5G international roaming has also been enabled.
11. New Siri voices and other improvements
You can find two new English Siri voices on iOS 14.5. By default, there is no Siri’s female voice. Users can choose a preferred Siri voice at setup.
In iOS 14.5 the “ Siri & Search option of the settings app has been upgraded to the “ Siri Voice” option. The previous “Accent” label has been changed to “ Variety” and there’s no longer the “ Gender” selection option as you can find extra voices.
12. Xbox Series X|S and PS5 controller support
You can use the latest PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series S|X controllers with iPad or iPhone.The good news is, the new controller also connects to the Apple TV with the tvOS 14.5 updates.
13. Apple Music Changes
iOS 14.5 offers several minor tweaks in Apple music and when combined gives a much more improved user experience. You can notice slide gestures to add a song to the Now Playing queue or adding it to the Apple music library. Upon long-pressing a song you will find two option “ Play Last” and “ Show Album”.
The download button on the Library has been replaced by three dots menu that can be tapped for a whole range of options for a song.
You can also find the “ Share Lyrics” option that allows you to send lyrics and song clips to others. However, this option is not available for all songs that support lyrics.
14. Apple Music “ City Charts” feature
This new feature allows you to access the playlist featuring the most played songs in more than 100 cities across the world.
15. News and Reminders App
You can find the new Search tab in the Apple News app. The before “ News+” section has been redesigned with a “ For You” feature and an easier to access Browse app.
So, what’s new in the Reminders app?
You can now sort lists in Reminders by Creation date, Due date, Priority or Title along with the option to print the Reminders lists.
16. Translate App and shortcuts
You can now adjust the playback speed by long-pressing the play button while listening to a translation aloud.
You can find a new shortcut for taking screenshots and locking the orientation of the iPhone and switching between cellular data modes.
17. Apple Watch iCloud settings
You can find a new iCloud toggle for the Apple watch from where you can choose whether or not to back up the Apple Watch to the cloud.
18. Accessories tracking
Under the newly added “ Items” tab there is Find My from where users can now keep track of non-Apple branded products such as Beats headphones and upcoming Belkin wireless earbuds.
19. Security
In iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, Apple is proxying Google’s Safe Browsing feature through its own server. With this Apple is trying to limit the personal data that Google can collect from the users.
In Safari there is a feature that warns users from accessing Fraudulent websites that attempts to steal users personal data. Apple uses Google’s “ Safe Browsing” database to power these features and by proxying the Safe Browsing feature through its own server, Apple can limit the data that Google sees.
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