Apple today released the first betas of iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4 to developers for testing and added a host of new features to the latest iOS operating systems. iOS 15.4 is our biggest update to iOS 15 to date. This update brings Universal Control, masked Face ID, new emojis and much more.
Face ID with mask
With iOS 15.4 there is now an option to unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask. Apple warns that full-face ID is a more secure option, but Face ID with a mask is now available. Face ID can be enabled after updating to iOS 15.4 and is designed to use the area around your eyes for authentication purposes. It works with glasses, but isn’t compatible with sunglasses, and with a mask on, you’ll just have to look at the iPhone to unlock it. Masked Face ID appears to be limited to the iPhone 12, but can be used to authenticate Apple Pay transactions and third-party app logins.
Universal Control
iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3 enable the long-awaited Universal Control feature, designed to let you use a single cursor and keyboard to control iPads and Macs signed into your iCloud account. Universal Control is very easy to use and is enabled by default when you upgrade to iPadOS 15.4 and macOS Monterey 12.3. For example, if you have a MacBook and an iPad, the MacBook’s trackpad and keyboard can also be used directly on the iPad’s screen.
emojis
Spring iOS updates often bring new emoji characters, and iOS 15.4 is no exception. The beta version adds support for Emoji 14, adding 37 emojis and 75 skin tones for a total of 112 new characters.
Along with an update to the handshake emoji, there are several new hand emojis such as heart hands, right hand, left hand, palm down hand, palm up hand, hand with crossed index finger and thumb, sign pointing at the audience.
Turn off Notifications for Personal Automations in Shortcuts
There’s a new “Notify While Working” option that lets you turn notifications on or off for Enabled Shortcuts. With this option, you can choose not to be notified when a Shortcut is enabled, which was not possible in previous versions of iOS 15.
iPadOS Notes App
In the Notes section of the Settings app on the iPad, there’s a new “Corner” section under “Quick Notes.” In this section, you can select functions for left corner scrolling and right corner scrolling.
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