Soon available in final version, iOS 15.4 is an important update for owners of an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. Several significant new features are on the program.
To accompany the launch of its new iPhone SE and its green iPhone 13, Apple will launch the week of March 13 the new version of its iOS operating system, numbered 15.4. This is the biggest iPhone update since the launch of iOS 15 this fall, with a huge number of new features, including one that is eagerly awaited by owners of an iPhone equipped with facial recognition. Here’s everything new in iOS 15.4.
Face ID with a mask
So as not to cause too many disappointments, let’s start with the bad news: this new feature is reserved for owners of iPhone 12 and iPhone 13. Those who use an iPhone X, XS, XR or 11 will unfortunately have to continue to lower their mask to be recognized by their smartphone.
Now that you know the bad news, let’s talk to the lucky ones. With iOS 15.4, your iPhone can now recognize you when you’re wearing a mask. It analyzes the outline of your eyes, just to continue to offer secure authentication even without the nose and mouth. More than two years into the pandemic, Apple is finally addressing this momentous issue. It used to be that only Apple Watch owners could unlock their iPhone with a mask.
Lots of new emojis
iOS 15.4 adds new emojis to iPhone and iPad. Among them, there are in particular the “attention”, the “melting face”, the “heart with the fingers” (also known as the “Celebration of Angel Di Maria”) or the “pregnant man “, which caused controversy in the conservative sphere a few weeks ago. Apple is also adding several options to make older emojis more inclusive.
Universal Control finally arrives
Announced in June 2021, the “Universal Control” function is making its appearance after several months of delay. It quite simply allows you to use a Mac and an iPad with common peripherals to, for example, use the trackpad or the keyboard of your Mac on your iPad… without any configuration. The Mac automatically detects the presence of an iPad next to it and the mouse changes screens if you move it, as if by magic. We can’t wait to try this for longer, hoping that the bugs won’t spoil everything (the AirPods’ automatic connection difficulties bear witness to this). Drag and drop of files between iPadOS and macOS is also possible.
The vaccination pass in Cartes et Santé
The vaccine pass will no longer be mandatory in a very large number of places on March 14, but Apple is still addressing this subject with iOS 15.4. From now on, by taking your photo your health QR Code, you will be able to natively add your proof of vaccination to the applications Apple Health and Apple Cards. iOS 15.4 somehow makes installing AllAntiCovid optional.
Notes to remember your passwords
It’s a small novelty, but it should not be underestimated. The iOS password manager, hidden in Settings, now lets you add notes for all the logins you’ve saved. What is it for ? Quite simply to easily find an account whose name you often forget. Take the example of ameli.fr. You can add the note “health, health insurance, reimbursement, social security” to find your password more easily. The search field will then be much more efficient.
120 Hz from everywhere on iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro owners are the only ones with a ProMotion display today. At most, their smartphone can push its refresh rate up to 120 Hz, in order to improve the fluidity of navigation. Problem, until today, only certain applications were compatible. The others remained at 60 Hz permanently.
With iOS 15.4, there is change. All applications are now able to go up to 120 Hz. We immediately feel the fluidity gain.
Warnings for the AirTag
Finally, in the midst of a sea of smaller new features (an adjustment for keyboard brightness on iPad, new options for SharePlay, notifications for Safari web apps, Tap to Pay, etc.), Apple is rolling out the first anti- harassment for his AirTag tracker. On first setup, Apple will tell you what not to do with its trackers.
iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 will be available beginning the week of March 13, and are already available to download if you’re a member of Apple’s beta program. They will likely be accompanied by new versions of tvOS, watchOS and macOS.