7 new features and improvements in a row

IOS 14.4 can be downloaded since Tuesday evening, but what exactly does the update add to your iPhone? We dive into the software and show you what’s new.

iOS 14.4 functions: the 7 most important in a row

It’s time to update your Apple devices again. Apple has released updates for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and HomePod. But what exactly is new? Time for an overview.

1. Fixed three critical vulnerabilities

The main reason to install iOS 14.4 quickly is not a flashy new feature. Apple has announced that the update will close three critical holes in the security of the iPhone that may be “actively exploited”. That means that all iPhones that are not yet running iOS 14.4 are susceptible to this vulnerability.

Because more and more people are doing more and more things via their iPhone, it is important to install these types of updates as soon as possible. This way your data remains optimally protected.

2. Hand-off with the HomePod and HomePod mini

Do you have a HomePod or HomePod mini and an iPhone 11 or newer? Then you can now use a handy new function. The Handoff feature allows you to transfer music from your iPhone to the HomePod by simply holding your phone over the speaker.

Your iPhone will also give listening tips if you hold the device near the HomePod, which you can then transfer without unlocking the device. This second feature only works on the HomePod mini, as the larger HomePod doesn’t have the necessary U1 chip.

3. Support for new Apple Watch watch face

Do you have an Apple Watch? Then from installing the latest updates you can use some new Unity watch faces. With these watch faces, Apple celebrates Black History Month. From February 1, an exclusive Apple Watch band will also be released that will match the colors of this new watch face.

4. Camera app supports smaller QR codes

For a while now, you can easily activate a QR code by simply pointing your iPhone’s default camera app to it. With smaller qr codes emerging, Apple has updated the Camera app to recognize these codes more quickly and scan them more easily. As a user, you don’t have to do anything for that: point your camera at it and the code will be activated.

5. Error message after repair with fake camera parts

To counter fraudulent companies repairing iPhones with fake parts, Apple has added a new notification. If you turn on an iPhone after a camera repair, the device will check whether the camera parts really come from Apple. If not, you will receive a warning and as a user you will have proof that your phone has not been repaired as it should.

6. Label Bluetooth devices as headphones

From iOS 14, your iPhone can give warnings if you have the volume of your headphones set too high. That works well for the AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max, but not yet for Bluetooth headphones from other brands. This will now change with the option to label headphones as headphones via the Bluetooth settings.

7. Multiple bug fixes

In addition to all these iOS 14.4 functions, the update also fixes a whole list of bugs. For example, the Fitness widget now shows the good progress again and a crazy error with HDR photos of the iPhone 12 Pro has also been resolved. Like the security flaws, this is a good reason to install the update on your iPhone as soon as possible.