When Does 15.4 Come Out: Apple released iOS 15 in September 2021, but that doesn’t mean it’s the last version of the operating system. The development of iOS 15 has continued, and on January 27, 2022, just days after the release of iOS 15.3, Apple released a beta of iOS 15.4 for developers, with a beta for beta testers expected soon after.
Masked unlocking, Safari notifications, and VR compatibility are all included in iOS 15.4. iOS 15.4 will include new emoji, mask unlocking for iPhones, and a slew of other enhancements. Here’s what you need to know about it, as well as when it’ll be available on your iPhone. While iOS 15.3 mostly consisted of bug fixes and security updates, iOS 15.4 is expected to include a slew of new features that Apple promised for the new operating system but has yet to deliver, including a slew of new emojis and one long-awaited feature that will delight mask wearers: Unlock with Mask!
The release date for iOS 15.4: Of course, you’ll want to know when iOS 15.4’s final version is released. We can make some conclusions regarding the release date of iOS 15.4 if Apple follows the same pattern as last year. The current beta roughly corresponds to iOS 14.5 in 2021. The first beta was released on February 1, 2021. We shouldn’t expect the final version of iOS 15.4 until the end of April, based on what Apple did in 2021 when it published eight beta versions before the final version.
How to get iOS 15.4: If you want to participate in the testing, check out our article on how to join an Apple beta program. However, as always, make a backup of your devices before installing the new beta versions; this way, you won’t have to worry about losing your data. You should ideally utilize a device other than your iPhone or iPad. In a separate article, we go over how to acquire the iOS beta and how to install iOS 15, and subsequent updates. You’ll be able to download iOS 15.4 on your iPhone whenever the complete version is released. To update your software, go to Settings > General > Software Update. You will then be able to download and install iOS 15.4.
What’s new in version 15.4 of iOS?
Whereas iOS 15.3 was mostly focused on bug and security updates, iOS 15.4 appears to be bringing some exciting new features.
Control Across the Board: Although Universal Control is more of an iPadOS and macOS function than an iOS feature, it is likely to be the most important new feature in this cycle of updates. Universal Control was introduced in the first beta version of iPadOS 15.4. Universal Control is an extension of Sidecar, which was introduced in macOS Catalina and iPadOS 13 and allowed you to set an iPad next to a Mac and move the mouse or touchpad cursor from the Mac’s edge to the iPad.
With a mask, you can unlock your iPhone: This new feature appears to be a huge plus, however many will ask why Apple took so long to implement it. When iOS 14.5 was released in April 2021, it became possible to unlock the iPhone using the Apple Watch if the user was wearing a mask, preventing Face ID from working. Users without an Apple Watch had to wait for an iPhone with Touch ID until today. Learn how to unlock an iPhone while wearing a mask. Under the iOS 15.4 beta, there is a new switch for Face ID with Mask in the Face ID & Passcode settings. Face ID will “employ the distinctive features around the eye area for authentication” if this option is enabled, according to Apple. Face ID is more accurate if this setting is deactivated, according to Apple, but it is less secure because it does not complete full facial recognition. Face ID unlocking in the mask appears to work exclusively on iPhones 12 and up; we’ll give the new feature a try in the beta.
“Add glasses” is another new Face ID unlocking setting that ensures the system accurately recognizes your face features. You should be able to share the mouse and keyboard across two Macs with the next release of macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15. Learn more about macOS 12.3’s features. In the AirPlay & Handoff tab of Settings, you’ll find the Universal Control choices. There is a new Cursor and Keyboard option there (Beta). Separately, we go over What Universal Control is and How Universal Control Works.
Safari’s push notifications: According to the iOS 14.4 beta, Apple is developing a new push API for iOS and iPadOS that will enable push notifications in Safari. While Apple has allowed push notifications on Macs for years, the company has so far refused to provide the feature to its mobile devices.
Maximiliano Firtman identified two experimental WebKit methods that hint at the introduction of web push and web notifications in the iOS 15.4 beta and noted them on his blog first. dev. The two sliders – integrated web notifications and push API – are currently deactivated and do not operate, but he expects them to work soon. This means that websites should be able to inquire if you want push notifications on your phone.
Support for WebXR – for AR/VR glasses: This version of the beta shows that iOS is being prepared for a time when consumers will be able to link their iPhones and iPads to VR and AR headsets. Safari’s latest beta, according to 9to5Mac, offers a developer interface dubbed WebXR. This is used to create web-based AR and VR content.
Emojis have been Updated
The Unicode Consortium will be releasing a slew of new emojis. A melting face, a saluting face, biting the lip, a jar, beans, X-ray, and bubbles are among them. Emojipedia, a blog, has a first look at the new emoji.
More information can be found here: iOS 15.4 teases compatibility for augmented reality and virtual reality headsets. Apple, as expected, followed up the release of iOS 15.3 with the beta-testing of iOS 15.4. (and associated operating systems like iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS). We’re still waiting for a few key iOS 15 features that are slated to arrive this spring, and this beta gives us our first glimpse at Universal Control (together with the macOS 12.3 beta). These enhancements are expected to appear in iOS 15.4 over the course of the beta testing releases, although Apple may yet delay them.
- iCloud Notes & Keychain
- You’ll be able to add notes to a keychain password entry.
- To see your keychain entries, go to Settings > Passwords.
Widget for Apple Cards: A new Apple Card widget will be available to add to the Home screen or Today view. It displays your current account balance as well as your spending activity. We don’t know if Apple will deliver this to the United Kingdom just yet.
Support for vaccination passports in the EU: EU users will be able to add vaccination passport details to the Health and Wallet apps in eligible locations now that the health app supports the EU standard for digital COVID certificates.
DualSense adaptive trigger support: Developers will be able to add support for the Play Station 5 DualSense controller’s adaptive shutter release capability with iOS 15.4.
Update 01/28/22: The first Public Beta version has been released. If you want to try it out, follow the guidelines below to join the beta test group.
New features in iOS 15.4
Control Across the Board
Universal Control, which was intended to be released last fall but was postponed until spring 2022, is finally available in the iPadOS 15.4 betas. The capability can be found in the AirPlay & Handoff tab in the General Settings and allows you to drag and drop files between the iPad and Mac (or various Macs) as well as share the keyboard and mouse wirelessly. A new Cursor and Keyboard (Beta) option will appear there.
Face Recognition with a Mask: Isn’t it better to be late than never? While iOS 14.5 allows you to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch when Face ID isn’t working, this isn’t much help for folks who don’t have a watch but are trying to stop a terrible virus from spreading by wearing a mask in public places. A new toggle to Use Face ID with a Mask can be found in the Face ID & Passcode settings. Face ID, when enabled, will “authenticate using the unique features around the eye area” rather than complete facial recognition, which includes unlocking, payments, and password/login authentication. There’s also a new “Add Glasses” option to help the algorithm recognize your face features correctly. Face ID is more accurate with the settings switched off, according to Apple.
Emojis: The Unicode Consortium’s Emoji 14 release includes a large number of new emojis. Melting face, saluting face, biting lip, jar, beans, x-ray, bubbles, and more are among them.
Adaptive triggers from DualSense: This update enables developers to support the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller’s adaptive triggers feature.
Notes from the iCloud Keychain: In Keychain, you can add notes to a password entry. To see your Keychain entries, go to Settings > Passwords.
Widget for Apple Cards: You may now add a new Apple Card widget to your home screen or Today view. It displays your current balance as well as your spending history. In the European Union, vaccination records are kept. In eligible regions, the Health app now accepts the EU Digital COVID Certificate format, allowing you to add your immunization record to the Health and Wallet applications.
