The most recent iOS improve brings dozens of recent emoji in your iPhone.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Have you ever downloaded Apple’s newest iPhone replace? iOS 15.4 has been out and to be had to the general public for a pair weeks, and if you have not but put in the brand new cellular running device, you are lacking out on a slew of helpful options. iOS 15.4 brings the long-awaited Common Keep an eye on, Face ID that works if you are dressed in a masks, 37 new emoji and strengthened privateness measures in your iPhone (and iPad thru iPadOS 15.4).
Because the identify denotes, iOS 15.4 is the fourth primary replace to iOS 15, which introduced with the iPhone 13 in September. Those updates, which began with December’s iOS 15.1 liberate, have added extra options to Apple’s iPhone running device and advanced present ones. iOS 15.4 follows iOS 15.3.1, which was once launched final month to patch a safety vulnerability in iPhones and iPads.
When was once the iOS 15.4 liberate date?
Each iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 have been launched on March 14. The brand new inexperienced iPhone 13, the alpine inexperienced iPhone 13 Professional and the brand new iPhone SE will include iOS 15.4 preloaded, in keeping with Apple.
How do I obtain iOS 15.4?
You’ll be able to obtain iOS 15.4 by means of going to Settings > Basic > Device Replace > Obtain and Set up. The 15.4 replace is greater than a gigabyte, so make sure to’re attached to Wi-Fi to keep away from chewing thru your per 30 days records allotment.
What’s Common Keep an eye on?
Common Keep an eye on means that you can use different Apple units as 2nd monitors, shifting content material seamlessly between them the use of just one instrument. This eagerly expected characteristic was once to start with introduced as a part of MacOS Monterey, however was once not on time over the autumn, with a brand new timeline pointing to “this spring.” Common Keep an eye on was once a part of the iOS 15.4 beta, and introduced as a public beta with the Monterey OS 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 updates.
As a result of Common Keep an eye on remains to be in beta, be expecting to run into some problems from time to time. And notice that the characteristic does not paintings on each instrument. Apple says Common keep an eye on is to be had on:
- MacBook Professional (2016 and later)
- MacBook (2016 and later)
- MacBook Air (2018 and later)
- iMac (2017 and later)
- iMac (5K Retina 27-inch, past due 2015)
- iMac Professional
- Mac Mini (2018 and later)
- Mac Professional (2019)
- iPad Professional
- iPad Air (3rd era and later)
- iPad (6th era and later)
- iPad Mini (5th era and later)
Apple notes that to make use of Common Keep an eye on, “Each units should be signed in to iCloud with the similar Apple ID the use of two-factor authentication. To make use of wirelessly, each units should have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff grew to become on and should be inside of 10 meters (30 ft) of one another. [The] iPad and Mac should no longer be sharing a mobile and web connection. To make use of over USB, you should agree with your Mac at the iPad.”
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Can I use Face ID with masks?
Apple has updated its Face ID feature to be usable on the iPhone 12 and newer models even while wearing a mask. Because the feature uses a smaller portion of your face to verify your identity, you’ll need to be more precise about the angle you’re holding your phone at when using Face ID. Your phone will even prompt you if it needs you to look more directly at the screen. The updated feature should work for people who wear glasses, but it won’t work with sunglasses.
Read more: iOS 15.4 Finally Lets You Unlock Your iPhone With a Mask On. Here’s How
What new emoji are included?
If you’re the kind of person who prides yourself on creative and fun emoji use, you’re going to love iOS 15.4. There are 37 new emoji in the update, including new options for pregnant people, hands forming a heart shape, a salute and — my personal favorite — a lip-biting emoji. These were revealed last fall, and also include a melting face, a face holding back tears, a bird’s nest, coral, a lotus, a low battery and kidney beans.
Other iOS 15.4 features
The operating system update also brings new safety-focused updates to AirTags, which have been under the spotlight after reports of the devices being used to stalk people.
The 15.4 update also changes the emergency call shortcut “call with five presses” from a default setting to an option, meaning the feature won’t be enabled unless you choose to allow it. The hold-and-press option for the side and volume buttons remains enabled by default.
SharePlay received some updates as well, allowing some apps to start SharePlay calls from the app, rather than your needing to start a SharePlay call and then open the app. Developers will have to update their apps accordingly, so expect this option to roll out over time.
Another feature included in the update is the ability to copy text from objects using the camera while in the Notes or Reminders apps. And, as spotted by ZDNet, iOS 15.4 also fixes a bug related to recordings of Siri interactions.
For more Apple news, read about your iPhone as a payment terminal and Apple’s possible wide array of new products for this fall. Also, here’s how the 2022 iPhone SE compares with the 2020 version, and whether you should buy an older iPhone SE now.
