Apple released the first public beta for iOS 14.5 on Thursday, Feb. 4. This update is proving to be the most significant in some time, offering new features and changes like support for PS5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers, the ability to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch, AirPlay 2 support for Fitness+, Reminders sorting and printing options, 5G support when using dual-SIM, and more.
Apple released this new beta update, build number 18E5140k, at 1 p.m. PDT. This update follows the developer beta, which Apple released three days prior, as well as an updated version of that first beta, which we saw earlier on Thursday.
With iOS 14.5, we finally get support for Sony's PlayStation 5 DualSense and Microsoft's Xbox Core (aka Xbox Series X) controllers. Before this update, PS5 or Xbox Series X users couldn't use their new controllers in Apple Arcade on their iPhones or iPads. Of course, you can only use these controllers on the 14.5 beta, so non-testers won't be able to connect these controllers until Apple officially releases 14.5.
Another huge change for iOS 14.5 is the ability to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch. Both devices will need to be running their latest updates (iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4), and will only appear on Face ID iPhones with a pair Apple Watch. Once you manually enable the feature, you'll be able to unlock your iPhone with just a partial Face ID scan, perfect when unlocking your iPhone while wearing a mask.
Other new features include:
- 5G connectivity when using a dual-SIM setup
- AirPlay 2 support for Fitness+
- Refreshed Software Update page
- The ability to sort and print Reminders lists
- Apps are now required to ask your permission to track your activity across other apps and sites
- New UI for Podcasts
- New "Made for You" option in Apple Music
- New UI for Type to Siri
- New UI when asking Siri to "call emergency"
- More Info: All the New Features in iOS 14.5 For iPhone
iOS 14.5 (left) vs. iOS 14.4 (right).
iOS 14.5 (left) vs. iOS 14.4 (right).
One minor change: Apple no longer includes a warning under the "Allow Apps to Request to Track" feature that apps that don't ask may still try to track your activity.
iOS 14.5 (left) vs. iOS 14.4 (right).
iOS 14.5 (left) vs. iOS 14.4 (right).
The update follows last week's release of iOS 14.4 to the general iPhone public, which included new Camera, Bluetooth, HomePod, and privacy features, as well as patches for three security vulnerabilities.
iOS & iPadOS 14.5 Beta Release Notes
Overview
The iOS & iPadOS 14.5 SDK provides support to develop apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS & iPadOS 14.5 beta. The SDK comes bundled with Xcode 12.5 beta, available from Beta Software Downloads. For information on the compatibility requirements for Xcode 12.5, see Xcode 12.5 Beta Release Notes.
CoreAccessories: Known Issues
- Some vehicles can't start CarPlay if the iPhone is set to share contacts over CarPlay. (71458958)
ExtensionKit: Known Issues
- The share extension for Notes and Reminders doesn't appear in the share sheet when using Maps. (72879313)
Siri: Known Issues
- Sharing ETA and routes will throw an error and not complete on CarPlay or iOS. (70440576) Workaround: Share ETA via Maps.
SKAdNetwork: Known Issues
- To receive a postback from devices running iOS 14 or later, generate signatures using signature version 2.0 or later. Version 1.0 signatures don't result in a postback on iOS 14 and later, even if the advertised app is installed and launched. (71474331)
WebKit: New Features
- Apps and websites can now get privacy-preserving attribution for ad clicks that navigate user to websites. (70502338)
IOAVFamily: Known Issues
- iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later) and iPad Pro 11-inch and iPad Air (4th generation) will not connect via USB-C Digital AV Multiport Adapter to an external display. (72618916)
How to Download iOS 14.5 on Your iPhone
To update your iPhone to iOS 14.5 public beta 1, sign up through Apple's beta site, download and install the configuration profile, then update over the air. If you already have the profile, go to Settings –> General –> Software Update to begin the installation of the latest beta build, or you can wait until it installs automatically if "Automatic Updates" is enabled.
Cover image by Jake Peterson/Gadget Hacks
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