iOS 14.5 allows unlocking via Apple Watch
No time right now?
With iOS 14.5, Apple brings a solution to circumvent the problem with the mask in front of the face when unlocking via face recognition. For this, however, you need an Apple Watch. The updates are now available for installation as a public beta for daredevils.
Owners of many iPhones have been facing a problem for months: As soon as they are in places where a mask is required, the usually extremely convenient Face ID facial recognition cannot be used. Instead, you have to use your PIN. With the upcoming update to iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.3, Apple is bringing a trick from its macOS desktop system to the iPhone that will make regular PIN entry when wearing a mask obsolete.
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iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.3: Unlock iPhone using Apple Watch
With the iPhone X, Apple introduced its 3D face recognition and has been using it almost consistently since then – the iPhone SE (2020) is the exception – in its smartphones. (Photo: Shutterstock)
Apple has just released iOS 14.4, and now the iPhone company is delivering the first beta version of iOS 14.5. A few more weeks should pass before it is made available to the general public, but iPhone owners can look forward to a new convenience function, which also requires watchOS 7.3, which is also in development.
The new unlocking function of the iPhone with the Apple Watch works almost the same as with the Mac: If you have the “Unlock with Apple Watch” feature in the Settings under Face ID and code activated on the iPhone, the device recognizes that you are wearing a mask and all you have to do is lift your watch to unlock your iPhone with Face ID. As on a Mac, you will feel a slight vibration on your wrist, which indicates that the unlocking process was successful. Of course, it is necessary that the watch is in close proximity to the iPhone and the watch is unlocked.
# iOS14.5 beta 1, iPhone unlock process with #AppleWatch wearing a facemask
Easy and super smooth! pic.twitter.com/ADkE0dVS0I
– Luca Ansevini (@ Anse1987) February 1, 2021
iOS 14.5 with further innovations
In addition to the practical unlock function, Apple has integrated other innovations in iOS 14.5. So bring the update loud 9to5 Mac a small redesign of the podcast app and a revised interface when writing with Siri. You can also ask Siri to call up your emergency contacts in the future.
Apple is also expanding support for game controllers in iOS and iPadOS: the latest Xbox and Playstation controllers can be used in the future. IOS 14.5 also brings global dual SIM support for 5G. A welcome change for iPad owners: the boot screen is finally displayed in the correct position when using the keyboard in landscape mode.
iPadOS 14.5 beta 1 adds a HORIZONTAL BOOT SCREEN !!#Apple # iOS14 # iPadOS14 pic.twitter.com/0hZ6WBSLQw
– Steven Fjordstrøm Tech & Travel (@fjordstrom) February 1, 2021
Last but not least, Apple is expanding its data protection requirements: In future, developers will have to obtain user permission before they can track their data. In the settings, it will be possible to see which apps you have given permission to track and there you can also withdraw them if necessary.
When iOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.3 will appear is still uncertain. The release can be expected in six weeks at the earliest. Apple could also take more time and release the new OS versions as part of its traditional spring event, which was previously held in March.
More on the topic: Macbooks, iMacs with redesign and more: Everything Apple could present in the first half of 2021
