iOS 15.4 beta 3 is out: what has Apple changed?

Apple is fully testing iOS 15.4: the next major interim update for the iPhone. The third test version has now been published, with some changes again.

iOS 15.4 beta 3

To make the release of a new iOS update as smooth as possible, Apple releases betas (trial versions) in advance. At the end of January, the first beta of iOS 15.4 appeared, with plenty of new functions. For example, the update makes it possible to unlock your iPhone with Face ID if you wear a face mask.

Last week the iOS 15.4 beta 2 appeared, where Apple again added some striking features. Tap to Pay, for example, which makes it possible to use your iPhone as an ATM. Unfortunately, the feature is only available in the United States for now.

SOS emergency message

In the iOS beta 3, the changes are less significant, but there are some minor changes. It is striking that after installing the update, Apple points you in the Settings app to check your SOS emergency notification data. It seems that the notification only appears for users who have not set up emergency contacts on their iPhone.

SOS emergency notification is a feature that can save your life. By pressing the volume button and side button longer, the emergency services are activated and your emergency contacts are notified. This could be your parents, for example. They will then know that you have activated the SOS function and see your live location. You configure SOS emergency notification in the Settings app, under ‘Emergency notification’.

Minor changes have also been discovered in the Podcast app. The update allows users to filter episodes by season, episodes downloaded, and unplayed.

When is iOS 15.4 coming out?

The third beta of iOS 15.4 came faster than expected. This probably also has consequences for the iOS 15.4 release. Earlier, Tuesday, March 15, seemed the most likely date, but according to Apple insider Mark Gurman of Bloomberg chances are iOS 15.4 will be on or shortly after tuesday 8 march appears.

The new features

Most of the new features were already known after the first and second beta:

• Face ID with mouth cap. In iOS 15.4, there is an option to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask.
• Tap to Pay: The iPhone will soon be used as an ATM. For now, the feature is only available in the United States.
• New emojis. Apple adds no less than 37 new emojis, including a pregnant man and sensual lips.
• Turn off notifications in Assignments. By default, you will receive a notification when Commands takes action, but from iOS 15.4 this can be turned off.
• Password note. iCloud Keychain adds an option to add a note to a password.
• Apps with 120 Hz. The iPhone 13 Pro has a screen that refreshes faster. Due to a bug, third-party apps were not able to handle it properly yet, but this is being fixed.
• Activate SharePlay faster. For apps that support SharePlay, there will be an option to activate SharePlay from the Share menu.
• Universal Control. In iPadOS 15.4, Apple adds Universal Controls, which let you use your Mac’s cursor to control your iPad, and vice versa.