The most recent iOS improve brings dozens of recent emoji on your iPhone.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Apple’s iOS 15.4 has a slew of recent options on your iPhone. This contains new emoji, the long-awaited Common Regulate, strengthened privateness measures and Face ID that works if you are dressed in a masks. (Some of these options also are to be had for iPad by way of iPadOS 15.4.) Apple has additionally since launched iOS 15.4.1, a minor iPhone replace to mend a battery-draining computer virus and safety problems.
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 free up, have added extra options to Apple’s iPhone running device and advanced present ones. iOS 15.4 follows iOS 15.3.1, which used to be launched remaining month to patch a safety vulnerability in iPhones and iPads.
Unlock date: Is iOS 15.4 out now?
Sure, 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 include iOS 15.4 preloaded, consistent with Apple.
How do I obtain iOS 15.4?
You’ll obtain iOS 15.4 by way of going to Settings > Normal > Device Replace > Obtain and Set up. The 15.4 replace is greater than a gigabyte, so you should definitely’re attached to Wi-Fi to keep away from chewing via your per thirty days information allotment.
What’s Common Regulate?
Common Regulate permits you to use different Apple units as 2nd displays, transferring content material seamlessly between them the use of just one software. This eagerly expected function used to be to start with introduced as a part of MacOS Monterey, however used to be behind schedule 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 notice that the function does not paintings on each and every software. Apple says Common regulate 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 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 10 meters (30 ft) of one another. [The] iPad and Mac should no longer be sharing a cell and web connection. To make use of over USB, you should 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.
