The Best New Features in iOS 14.5

At the time of publication, iOS 14.5 is in beta. We will update this post if anything changes in the final version.

The iOS and iPadOS 14.5 update is packed with new features that almost everyone can use. Make sure to download the latest update by heading to Settings > General > Software Update on your device.

We're taking a closer look at the iOS and iPadOS 14.5 software update and how to activate all the features it includes.

Unlock Your iPhone While Wearing a Mask

The headline feature of iOS 14.5 is something that anyone with a Face ID-enabled iPhone has struggled with during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While Face ID is a quick and easy way to unlock your iPhone, it has a big hangup. It doesn't work when you're wearing a mask. And that's something many of us are doing when out and about. Instead, you'll need to enter a passcode each time to unlock your device.

Related: How to Set Up Face ID on Your iPhone or iPad

But Apple has introduced a great way to solve that problem if you also use an Apple Watch.

To activate the Unlock With Apple Watch feature, make sure your wearable device is also using the latest software, watchOS 7.4.

The Unlock With Apple Watch feature isn't automatically enabled. So on your updated iPhone, head to Settings > Face ID. You'll then need to enter your passcode. Scroll down to the Unlock With Apple Watch section and toggle on the feature for your Apple Watch.

When your Apple Watch is close to your iPhone, unlocked, and protected by a passcode, it will automatically unlock your iPhone. Just swipe up on the lock screen of your iPhone.

On your Apple Watch, you'll see a notification that the iPhone was unlocked. If for some reason you didn't mean to unlock your handset, you can also quickly select Lock iPhone on the Apple Watch notification screen.

If you wear a mask most of the day, this new feature is definitely a welcome addition. And it may even bring anyone still on the fence about purchasing an Apple Watch into the fold.

Just to note, Unlock With Apple Watch doesn't work when trying to make an Apple Pay or App Store purchase. You'll still need to enter your Apple ID credentials or use Face ID in those situations.

Select Your Preferred Music Streaming Service

You don't have to look far to find a great music streaming service to rock out with. And one of the best ways to get a song started is with Siri.

Previously, when asking Siri to play a song, it would automatically play from Apple Music if you were a subscriber. If you wanted to play something from another service, you needed to explicitly say "from Spotify."

Related: The Best Siri Commands to Use on Your iPhone

But that's no longer the case with the new update. The first time you ask the personal assistant to play a song, you'll see a list of third-party streaming music services. Whatever you select will be the preferred option when using Siri.

You'll also need to give Siri permission to read data from the specific music streaming service you choose.

Siri may reconfirm your preferred service from time to time.

Apple Maps Incident Reporting

Apple Maps users can also take advantage of a new Waze-like feature to report incidents on the road including an accident, hazard, or speed trap.

When navigating, tap the up arrow in the bottom section. Then select Report. You can choose from one of the three options.

The feature is also available in the CarPlay version of Apple Maps. You can also report an issue through Siri by saying "Siri, there is an accident here."

AirPlay 2 Arrives for Apple Fitness+

With the new ioS 14.5 software update, it's now easier to enjoy an Apple Fitness+ subscription service on a big screen because you can now use AirPlay 2 to stream a workout to a compatible television.

You'll also need to have watchOS 7.4 installed on your Apple Watch for this. Previously, the only way to use Apple Fitness+ on a TV was with Apple TV.

There is one big caveat, though. While you'll be able to view the workout, you can't see any of the workout metrics on a TV screen when using AirPlay. It will only be shown on the Apple Watch and on whatever iPhone or iPad the workout started on.

Related: What Is Apple Fitness+?

New Emojis

Emoji fans will be happy to hear that the new software update brings a wide variety of new options to select from. Some of the new additions include a heart on fire, a mending heart, a face with spiral eyes, and many more.

You can see all of the 217 new additions at Emojipedia.

Speaking of emojis, you can now search for a specific option in iPadOS 14.5. The ability to search for emojis was added in iOS 14 for your iPhone but only comes to the iPad with this update.

Other New Additions

And those are far from the only additions in the new iOS and iPadOS 14.5 software updates. Here are other smaller improvements:

• Continuing its privacy push, Apple is including changes in how apps track you across sites and other apps. Apps must now ask your explicit permission to let them track you. You can also ask the app not to track you.
• You can play games on your iPhone or iPad with the PlayStation 5 DualSense or Xbox Series X controller. The new controllers can also be used on an Apple TV with tvOS 14.5 installed.
• In iPadOS 14.5 the Scribble feature supports more languages: French, Spanish, German, Italian, and Portuguese. Apple Pencil users can write text into fields and it will automatically transform into typed text.
• Anyone with an iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max can now use 5G networks with dual-SIM support.
• You can now locate PowerBeats Pro headphones using the Find My app. The app can also be used to track other Apple devices like an iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and AirPods.

iOS and iPadOS 14.5: A Great Software Update

The newest software update for your iPhone and iPad offers a little bit of something for every type of user to improve the overall experience.

And if you want to further customize your iPhone, one of the best ways to do that is to take advantage of app icons for your home screen.

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