iOS 15.4: Each New Characteristic, From Common Regulate to Masks-Pleasant Face ID

Apple’s 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 working gadget, you might be lacking out on a number of recent options. The newest iPhone replace ushers within the long-awaited Common Regulate, Face ID that works if you are dressed in a masks, 37 new emoji and strengthened privateness measures. Those options are to be had for iPads by way of iPadOS 15.4, as smartly. 

Because the title denotes, iOS 15.4 is the fourth main replace to iOS 15, which introduced with the iPhone 13 in September. Those updates, which began with December’s iOS 15.1 unencumber, have added extra options to Apple’s iPhone working gadget and advanced present ones. iOS 15.4 follows iOS 15.3.1, which used to be launched final month to patch a safety vulnerability in iPhones and iPads. 

When used to be the iOS 15.4 unencumber date?

Each iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 had 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 line with Apple.

How do I obtain iOS 15.4?

You’ll obtain iOS 15.4 through going to Settings > Normal > Instrument Replace > Obtain and Set up. The 15.4 replace is greater than a gigabyte, so you’ll want to’re attached to Wi-Fi to keep away from chewing thru your per month records allotment. 

What’s Common Regulate?

Common Regulate means that you can use different Apple gadgets as 2nd displays, transferring content material seamlessly between them the usage of just one instrument. This eagerly expected function used to be to start with introduced as a part of MacOS Monterey, however used to be not on time over the autumn, with a brand new timeline pointing to “this spring.” Common Regulate used to be 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 Regulate remains to be in beta, be expecting to run into some problems at times. And word that the function does not paintings on each and every instrument. Apple says Common keep watch over 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 Regulate, “Each gadgets will have to be signed in to iCloud with the similar Apple ID the usage of two-factor authentication. To make use of wirelessly, each gadgets will have to have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Handoff became on and will have to be inside 10 meters (30 ft) of one another. [The] iPad and Mac will have to no longer be sharing a mobile and web connection. To make use of over USB, you will have to consider 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.