iOS 14 has been released since last fall, but Apple continues to add new features to its mobile software. The next update, iOS 14.5, is currently in beta. Apple has already distributed this beta to developers, giving them a strict timeline to implement the new app tracking transparency requirements into their apps. iOS 14.5 public beta versions are also available.

While privacy transparency is the highlight of the upcoming release, we found more iOS 14.5 features worth noting. Among them, Apple added a way to use Face ID to unlock an iPhone while wearing a mask. This workaround uses the Apple Watch for biometric authentication.

Once iOS 14.5 becomes final, many users will update to iOS 14.5. apple recently revealed that iOS 14 is installed on 80% of active iPhones and 86% of iPhones released in the past four years.

We dug into the beta version of iOS 14.5 to find the most important additions, but this is not a final list. It is also possible that Apple will continue to add or tweak features before the final iOS 14.5 is released in a few weeks.

iOS 14.5 is currently available for download as a public beta. If you wish to try the beta version, we recommend trying it on a secondary device. We expect the final version of iOS 14.5 to be released this month.

We all learned about the shortcomings of Face ID when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Face masks confused the Face ID sensor and forced people to manually unlock their iPhones in the last year or so. Thankfully, Apple has found a workaround, but it comes with one major caveat.

Unlocking with the Apple Watch is a perfect example. Apple's wearable can be used to unlock an iPhone bypassing Face ID. Both devices must be in very close proximity to each other, otherwise they must be unlocked manually; the Apple Watch must also be unlocked.

Once you get iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4, you can access Face ID and Passcode in Settings; remember that you cannot use Unlock with Apple Watch to authenticate Apple Pay or App Store purchases I want you to. These authentications require a face or passcode.

iOS14.5 adds a new app tracking transparency policy, which is a big change that Apple has been planning to roll out since it launched iOS last summer. app developers like Facebook need to get your permission to access your ad ID to access your ad ID. That ID allows them to track you across apps and websites.

Some of these privacy features are already present in iOS 14, but 14.5 is the deadline for app developers to implement new policies before their apps are removed from the App Store.

When everything goes live, you will see a new pop-up asking if you want your app to track you. Apple is once again going for pure simplicity. This is a huge step forward for privacy and I look forward to seeing it happen.

In iOS 14.5, Apple Maps is set to copy popular key features from Waze. apple Maps is set to crowdsource traffic accidents, speed traps, and other traffic hazards, just as its main competitor can, using real It plans to use drivers. Maps will have a dedicated button to report something, and will be available for both phone and CarPlay.

iOS 14 will allow users to choose their default browser and email app. Continuing its momentum, Apple is looking to release a bit more of its dominance by allowing users to choose their own default music streaming app.

When you ask Siri to play a song, it will open whatever app you set up, including Spotify. This means you no longer have to specify which app to play the song; Siri will use the app you have set as the default.

Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X remain in short supply, but new controllers are still readily available. If you have a PlayStation 5 DualSense or Xbox Series X|S controller, iOS 14.5 will allow you to pair it with your iPhone.

iOS 14.5 will enable AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness Plus, allowing you to cast your workouts to AirPlay 2 compatible displays.

Note that Apple Watch metrics will not appear on the larger screen. These data points must be viewed on an iPhone or iPad.

Dual SIM iPhone users can use 5G globally on the iPhone 12 series with iOS 14.5. Dual SIM means that two separate lines are available on one device. This is ideal for people who have separate lines for work and personal use, or for international travel.

When iOS 14.5 is released, both SIMs will be able to use full 5G speeds.

There is much more that we didn't cover here, but this update includes many tweaks and new additions. Apple plans to make this release a big one, and we look forward to seeing it on the iPhone and iPad.

If you don't want to wait for the finished version of iOS 14.5, you can get the public beta right now by signing up for Apple's beta program. The process is simple: simply access Apple's beta page from the browser of the device on which you want to install the beta. From there, sign in with your Apple ID and register your iPhone with the program. Then follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the beta profile on your iPhone.

The usual caveat is that while the iOS 14.5 beta is fairly stable, it is still a beta version and problems can still occur. If you rely heavily on your phone during the day, you may not want it to be subjected to the vagaries of beta software. If so, hold out until the final version of iOS 14.5 comes out.