Developers may now download and test iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4, which has been seeded by Apple today. While the number of new features is lower than in the previous betas, there are several noteworthy improvements and adjustments to note.
On the iPhone, tap to pay.
Apple has included support for the “Tap to Pay on iPhone” feature in the second beta of iOS 15.4, which enables NFC-compatible iPhones to take payments through Apple Pay, contactless credit and debit cards, and other digital wallets without the need for extra hardware.
The iOS 15.4 beta has compatibility for Apple’s Tap to Pay feature, however it is not yet ready for public usage. End customers won’t see any obvious indications of it, but a new “PaymentReceived” sound clip and graphics demonstrate the Tap to Pay user interface’s capabilities.
Tap to Pay seems to provide reward passes and refunds, according to the code.
Face Recognition Using Mask Modifications
Using Face ID with a Mask, you may be requested to “Look Down” to unlock your iPhone if you’re wearing a mask. This message will appear if you’re holding your iPhone lower than eye level, since the mask unlocking function of the iPhone requires eye contact.
Digital ID preparations in Wallet
iOS 15.4 may include support for digital IDs and driver’s licences, if Apple has any plans to do so. At this point, there isn’t a lot of proof supporting this, however the PassKit code mentions the functionality.
“Find out when your driver’s licence or state ID is available to use and get vital information regarding your ID,” it says.
On the HomePod, you may set up a private WiFi network.
Images spotted in iOS 15.4 code show that Apple is introducing support for WiFi networks that need a web portal or an extra sign-up step in order to connect to the internet.
This is frequent in places like hotels and hostels where guests must sign in to use the WiFi.
Other Code Changes
New features are mentioned in the iOS 15.4 update’s code, but it’s not clear whether they will appear in the next beta or if they will remain hidden.
- “No external purchases may be cancelled or managed via the App Store. The developer may be contacted for further information.” The App Store framework has included a new line of code. This most likely has to do with the Dutch dating app market’s ability to accept payment methods other than those found in the App Store.
- More indication that Apple intends to provide enhanced sports integration in the Apple News app comes in the form of a reference in the News Feed framework of “Manage My Sports.” A fresh push for sports material is hinted at by references to other sports-related information as well.
iOS 15.4 Brings a Whole New Set of Features
In addition to the new emojis and Universal Control, iOS 15.4 brings support for Face ID with a Mask.
The code for Apple’s upcoming Tap to Pay feature was found in the iOS 15.4 second developer beta, hinting that the company plans to release it in the near future.
Stripe will be one of the first companies to use Apple’s Tap to Pay functionality when it launches in the spring. The general version of iOS 15.4 is expected to include the functionality, according to the beta code.
Steve Moser, a regular writer to MacRumors, made the discovery. It contained screenshots of the user interface and the sound file “PaymentReceived” to demonstrate how the payment process works.
These are some of the other nuggets we uncovered:
A contactless payment may be made on an iPhone.
Wait for the seller’s iPhone to make a “success” sound when you hold your credit card or other device to it.
- Make sure you have NFC enabled before trying to use contactless payments.
- Due to your own safety, the payment has been halted. When you’re ready to take a payment, give it another go.
- It was determined that there were many reward passes available.
- Pay percent @ percent @ and get a refund from percent @ percent @”
- The iPhone may be used to collect money using contactless payment methods including credit and debit cards, Apple Pay and other similar systems on the market.