Firmware update: Apple iOS 14.5

Apple has version 14.5 of iOS released. From version 13, iOS is only suitable for the iPhone and the iPads have been given their own OS, with the main difference being the extra options to use the larger screen. Apple makes several changes to the interface of iPhones with iOS 14. For example, users can place widgets on home screens and Apple adds an alphabetical list to pages full of apps that will form the right-most home screen. Furthermore, users can choose a different browser and mail app as default instead of Safari and Mail. Apple has made a lot of changes and improvements in version 14.5, such as being able to unlock the iPhone with an Apple Watch and support for AirTags has been added.

Unlocking iPhone with Apple Watch

• Ability to unlock your iPhone X and later with the Apple Watch Series 3 and later when you try to use Face ID while wearing a mask

AirTag and Find My

• Support for AirTag to find important objects such as your keys, wallet, backpack and more in the Find My app in a confidential and secure way
• Accurate Search uses visual, audible and tactile feedback to direct you directly to a nearby AirTag using Ultra Wideband thanks to the U1 chip of the iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models
• You can find an AirTag by playing a sound through the built-in speaker
• The Find My network with hundreds of millions of devices can help you find your AirTag even if it’s not around
• In Lost Mode, you’ll be notified when your AirTag has been found and you can enter a phone number to contact you

Emojis

• Support for individual skin tones for each individual in all variations of kissing and heart couple emojis
• New Face Emojis, Heart Emojis and Bearded Woman Emojis

Siri

• If you’re using your AirPods or compatible Beats headphones, you can announce incoming calls with Siri, including who’s calling, and answer hands-free
• Group FaceTime calls are supported by asking Siri to initiate a FaceTime call using a contact list or group name from Messages
• SOS contacts can be called by asking Siri

Privacy

• App tracking transparency allows you to control which apps are allowed to track your activity on apps and websites of other companies for advertising or sharing with data merchants

Apple Music

• Share your favorite lyrics to Messages, Facebook and Instagram Stories, then subscribers can play the snippet in Messages without leaving the conversation
• City charts show what’s hot in more than 100 cities from around the world

Podcasts

• Podcast program pages have been redesigned to make it easier to start listening
• Option to save and download episodes, and automatically add them to your library for quick access
• Download and notification settings can be customized per podcast
• Charts and popular categories in search help you discover new podcasts

5G improvements

• ‘Dual SIM’ support enables 5G connectivity on the line using cellular data on iPhone 12 models
• Smart data mode improvements optimize operation on 5G networks for better battery life and data usage on iPhone 12 models
• International 5G roaming enabled on iPhone 12 models with supported carriers

Cards

• Estimated time of arrival can be shared not only while driving, but also while cycling or walking by asking Siri or tapping the route map at the bottom of the screen and then tapping Share Arrival

Memories

• Ability to sort reminders by name, priority, due date, or creation date
• Option to print your reminder lists

translate

• Translation playback speed can be adjusted by long pressing the play button

gaming

• Support for the Xbox Series X|S wireless controller or the Sony PS5 DualSense™ wireless controller

CarPlay

• Arrival time in Apple Maps can be easily shared while driving with new Siri commands or keyboard controls in CarPlay

This version also fixes the following issues:

• Messages at the bottom of the message thread were hidden by the keyboard under certain circumstances
• Deleted messages may still show up in Spotlight searches
• Some message threads were constantly failing to send messages
• For some users, Mail was unable to load new emails until the device was rebooted
• The ‘Block and identify callers’ section may not have appeared in the Phone settings
• iCloud tabs may not show up in Safari
• Disabling iCloud Keychain may have been prevented
• Reminders created via Siri could inadvertently be set for early morning hours
• The battery health notification system recalibrates maximum battery capacity and peak performance on iPhone 11 models to correct inaccurate estimates of the notification system for some users (
• Optimization to reduce the appearance of a dark glow that could appear with reduced brightness on black backgrounds on iPhone 12 models
• AirPods sent audio to incorrect device on auto-switch
• Notifications about AirPods automatic switching may be missing or may have been duplicated

For more information about the security aspects of Apple software updates, see the next website†