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Apple Starts Rolling Out iOS 14.5 With Face ID Mask Feature, App Tracking Transparency

April 27, 2021

Apple has released new software updates for iOS and iPadOS that make some pretty big changes and add support for new features. With iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5, Apple finally rolled out the controversial app tracking transparency feature, added the ability to unlock an iPhone when the Apple Watch is nearby, support for Apple Airtags, and more.

While Apple’s biometric authentication with FaceID usually works, wearing a mask can be a problem. To solve this problem, Apple has finally added the ability to unlock the iPhone when the Apple Watch is on the wrist, unlocked and close to the iPhone.

The update also introduces app tracking transparency, requiring apps to ask users for permission to track their data on other companies’ apps or websites to serve ads or share data with data brokers. And Siri will no longer use a female voice by default, but instead, invite the user to choose the voice of their choice.

The full list of changes for iOS 14.5 is as follows:

Unlocking an iPhone with an Apple Watch

Ability to unlock iPhone X and newer models with Apple Watch Series 3 and newer models when attempting to use Face ID while wearing a face mask.

Find AirTag and mine

Thanks to AirTag support, important items such as keys, wallet, backpack, and more can be tracked and found privately and securely in the Find Me app.
Precise Search uses visual, auditory, and haptic feedback to guide you directly to the nearest AirTag. It uses the ultra-wide band provided by the U1 chip in iPhone 11 and iPhone 12.
AirTag can be located 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 there.
In Lost Mode, you will be notified that your AirTag has been found and you can enter a phone number where you can be reached.

Emoji

Support for different skin colors for each person in all varieties of kiss and heart emoji pairs.
New smiley, smiley heart, smiley woman with beard

Siri

Siri now includes more language options
Incoming calls can be announced with Siri, including the caller if you’re wearing compatible AirPods or Beats headphones, and you can answer them hands-free.
FaceTime group calls are supported by requesting the contact list or group name from Messages in Siri.
Emergency contacts can be called by asking Siri

Data protection

App-tracking transparency allows you to control which apps can track your activities on other companies’ apps and websites for advertising purposes or for sharing with data brokers.

Apple Music

Share your favorite texts via Messages, Facebook and Instagram Stories, and participants can read an excerpt in Messages without leaving the conversation.
City Charts shows what’s popular in over 100 cities around the world.

Podcasts

The podcasts on the home page have been redesigned to make listening easier.
Ability to record and download episodes and automatically add them to your library for quick access.
The loading behavior and notification settings can be adjusted before the show.
The top rankings and most popular search categories help you discover new shows.

5G enhancements

Dual-SIM support provides 5G connectivity when using cellular data on iPhone 12 models.
Improvements to Smart Data Mode further optimize your 5G network experience for longer battery life and better data usage on iPhone 12 models.
Enables international 5G roaming with supported carriers on iPhone 12 models.

News

The redesigned News+ tab allows Apple News+ subscribers to quickly find, download and manage magazines and newspapers.
A brand new search experience that helps you find the right topics, the right channels and the right stories.

Maps

You can report accidents, hazards or speed traps along your route using Siri on your iPhone or CarPlay.
The estimated time of arrival (ETA) can be notified not only while driving, but also while cycling or walking, by asking Siri or by tapping the route map at the bottom of the screen and then tapping Share ETA.

Memories

Ability to sort reminders by title, priority, due date, or creation date.
Ability to print reminder lists

Translation

You can adjust the translation playback speed by holding down the play button.

Games

Xbox X|Series Supports wireless controller or Sony PS5 DualSense™ wireless controller.

Fitness +

Stream audio and video from your Apple Fitness+ workout to AirPlay 2-enabled TVs and devices.

CarPlay

Estimated arrival times in Apple Maps can be easily shared while driving using the new Siri command or keyboard in CarPlay.

This version also solves the following problems:

Messages at the bottom of the stream can be hidden by the keyboard in certain circumstances.
Deleted messages can still be displayed in the projector.
In some threads, messages persistently refuse to send text.
For some users, Mail does not download new messages until the device is rebooted.
The call barring and caller ID section may not be displayed in the phone settings.
iCloud tabs may not appear in Safari.
The iCloud keychain can be left on.
Reminders created via Siri can be inadvertently scheduled for the early morning.
The battery reporting system will recalibrate the maximum battery capacity and peak power on iPhone 11 models to eliminate inaccurate battery reporting estimates for some users.
Optimization to reduce the dull glow that can occur when the black background brightness level is lowered on iPhone 12 models.
Audio routing of AirPods to the wrong device for automatic switching
AirPods auto-switch notifications may not be present or may be duplicate.

The full changelog for iPadOS 14.5 is as follows: