The beta version of iOS 15.4 has been released, and it includes a slew of new features and adjustments.
Despite the fact that iOS 15 was launched in the autumn, Apple is still working on the iPhone’s software. A new privacy report for all the applications installed on your iPhone has been included in updates since the release of iOS 15, allowing you to view films or listen to music with other FaceTime callers while using SharePlay.
A new beta version of iOS 15.4 has been out for a few weeks now, and it’s already a significant upgrade over iOS 15. iOS 15.4 introduces a slew of fixes and adjustments, but there isn’t anything quite as big as SharePlay or an app privacy report that’s finally been released. That includes masking-wearing iPhone users who have been without Face ID access since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic in late 2016.
A peek at what’s new in iOS 15.4 as well as information on how to download the beta are included in this post.
How to download and install iOS 15.4 beta?
Earlier this week, the first public beta for iOS 15.4 was released to the general public. The public beta will be released a day or two after the developer’s beta is released. The iOS 15.4 beta is expected to be updated when Apple fixes any bugs before a final release.
If you’re already a member of Apple’s Beta Program, you can get iOS 15.4 right now. Just open the Settings app on your phone and choose General, then Software Updates. The beta may then be downloaded and installed by simply clicking on the link provided. Please plug in your phone when downloading the iOS 15.4 beta, if your experience is anything like ours.)
Participation in the Apple Beta Software programme is not required to try out iOS 15.4 on your iPhone or iPad. Go to Apple’s Beta Software Program website and sign in with your Apple ID on the iPhone where you want to run the beta. To install the beta software profile, follow the onscreen instructions.
We’ve found iOS 15.4 to be rather stable, but it’s still a beta, so there may still be issues. The iOS 15.4 beta should only be installed on a secondary iOS device for testing purposes if you are confident in your ability to troubleshoot. If you can’t find one, your best chance is to wait for iOS 15.4’s release in the coming weeks.
iOS 15.4 requires an iPhone 6s or later, much as iOS 15.
iOS 15.4’s best new features
Using a mask for Face ID
As soon as iOS 15.4’s developer beta was released, we wrote on the new Face ID feature, which enables Apple’s unlocking system detect your face even if you’re wearing a mask. It’s a significant deal. The tradeoff for enabling this function is that you’ll have to enter your password every time you want to unlock your phone, saving you time and frustration.
Face ID & Passcode has a new option for utilising Face ID with a mask on, so go there to activate the functionality. You’ll be prompted to scan your face once again if you enable this feature. Face ID should work even if you’re wearing a mask once everything that’s been set up.
It is only compatible with the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 versions that this function is available. There is a Use with Face Mask option on my iPhone 13 running the iOS 15.4 beta; it does not appear on my iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Notes and Reminders may now be accessed through Live Text.
Live Text is a feature in iOS 15 that lets you copy and paste text from your phone’s camera into other applications. With iOS 15.4, the Live Text functionality has been improved to work better with Notes and Reminders.
Scan Text has been added to the pop-up menu that displays in both apps. This option brings up a camera window where you may take a screenshot of text from a book, note, or photograph. Text that you’ve just captured shows in your Note or Reminder right away.
Apple Pay’s newest security screen
On occasion, I’ll bring out my iPhone from my pocket and discover that I’ve activated Apple Pay by double-clicking on the side button twice. My phone’s lock screen is now a list of all the credit and debit cards I’ve ever saved on it. It’s quite alarming.
In my opinion, Apple has added a little degree of security to the iPhone. I don’t know whether this is the case for other individuals. It’s now possible to access your credit cards and passes by double-clicking on the side button, but a login screen shows first. Yes, if you’ve enabled Face ID to operate with face masks on your iPhone, you can simply bypass the login screen.
iOS 15.4 introduces a slew of new emoji.
It’s not an iOS update unless there are more than three dozen new emojis for you to use in your texts, tweets, and emails, and iOS 15.4 delivers.
Melting face, loving hands, and disco ball are just a few of the 37 emoji available. Both a woman and a man are represented by the “pregnancy” emoji. Symbols representing a troll, beans, a biting mouth, and a jar may also be found here. The Unicode Consortium gave its approval to all of the new emoji in iOS 15.4 in September.
The Magnifier app now has new camera choices.
To assist me understand labels and hard-to-see language, I’ve configured my iPhone’s side button to activate the Magnifier app. Thanks to new camera modes coming in iOS 15.4, it seems like I’ll be able to choose between my iPhone’s cameras.
In the Magnifier app’s settings, you may add a Cameras control to the app so that you can switch between lenses as needed. Depending on the phone you have, you’ll be able to use a variety of cameras. It’s now possible to quickly switch between the many camera modes available on the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Only wide and selfie options are available on the iPhone 13’s dual-camera system.
Passwords in the Keychain
It is possible to save passwords on your iPhone and retain them in your keychain for quick logins to various websites. However, a notes field has been added to iOS 15.4. Notes regarding essential passwords may be entered in the Settings app’s Passwords section.
What’s the point of that? The Passwords area may be used to look for such notes as well. While remembering the app or website’s name might be difficult, typing in the password’s name can be more convenient.
Other iOS 15.4 updates and additions are also available.
Even if they’re only tiny adjustments, there are a few notable iOS 15.4 improvements.
- The Up Next part of the TV app now allows you choose between Still Frame and Poster Art for displaying your queue of programmes. (You may change this setting in the TV’s settings app.)
- In the Share sheet for albums and songs in Apple Music, there is now a SharePlay option.
- If you have Apple’s credit card, you can now check your balance, spending power, and spending history through a new widget.
- Using Shortcuts, you have the option to perform personal automations in the background without seeing banner alerts, if desired.
- An all-new notifications panel has been added to the App Store, allowing you to customise notifications for things like new features and software updates, as well as recommendations and special offers.