As expected, Apple has now released iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, tvOS 15.2, watchOS 8.3 and macOS Monterey 12.1 for all users worldwide.
The new updates for iPhone, iPad and Co. are now available via the device settings over the air available. The new versions include various improvements and changes. Of course, there are also new features. In the future, users will be able to enter a legacy contact, view a comprehensive app privacy report, and more. iPhone 13 Pro users will also receive additional functions for macro photography. In addition, "Find My" functions have been expanded. This means that found objects can now be returned to their owner more easily.
macOS Monterey 12.1
In macOS Monterey 12.1, Apple is finally introducing the SharePlay feature for FaceTime. But the update is also supposed to fix a list of bugs that some users have been complaining about for weeks. According to Apple's update description, a bug has been fixed that could cause the trackpad to stop responding to taps or clicks. In addition, the brand new MacBook Pro 2021 models had an ongoing YouTube issue that could cause HDR content from YouTube to "panic" and crash the devices. This issue is fixed in macOS Monterey 12.1. 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pro users also had to contend with an issue that could cause charging to be interrupted when the lid of the device was closed.
Apple fixes numerous problems
Apple has also fixed this problem with the update. There are other interesting bug fixes in the new macOS update. The 12.1 version fixes an issue that could cause the desktop and screen saver to be blank after selecting photos from the photo library. It also fixes an issue that could cause external displays on some MacBook Pro and MacBook Air computers to not charge when connected via Thunderbolt or USB-C. In addition, an issue has been fixed that could cause extras in the menu bar to be obscured by the camera housing on 2021 MacBook Pro models. Below you will find the update descriptions in full. (Photo by Unsplash / Jeremy Bezanger)
iOS 15.2 update description
iOS 15.2 introduces Apple Music Voice Subscription, a new subscription type that lets you access music through Siri. This update also includes App Privacy Reporting, the Digital Legacy program, and other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.
Apple Music Voice subscription
- The Apple Music Voice subscription is a new subscription type that lets you access all of Apple Music's songs, playlists, and stations using Siri.
- “Just Ask Siri” makes music suggestions based on your listening history and your ratings of whether you like something or not.
- With “Play again” you can access a list of your most recently listened to music.
data protection
- The App Privacy Report in Settings provides an overview of how often apps have accessed your location, photos, camera, microphone, contacts, and more over the past seven days, as well as their network activity.
Apple ID
- Digital legacy allows you to designate people as estate contacts who will then have access to your iCloud account and your personal information in the event of your death.
camera
- A Macro Photo control, which can be enabled in Settings, lets you capture macro photos and videos using the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max's ultra-wide lens.
TV app
- The Store tab lets you browse, buy, or rent movies and TV shows in one place.
CarPlay
- Improved city maps in Apple Maps include turn lanes, medians, bike lanes, and crosswalks for supported cities.
This version also includes the following improvements for your iPhone:
- Hide Email Address is available in the Mail app for iCloud+ subscribers and generates unique random email addresses.
- Find My can still find an iPhone for up to five hours if it is using power saving mode.
- In “Stocks” you can display the currency for tickers and the year-to-date performance in charts.
- In Reminders and Notes, tags can be deleted or renamed.
This version also includes bug fixes for your iPhone:
- Siri may not respond if VoiceOver is active and iPhone is locked.
- ProRAW photos may appear overexposed when viewed in third-party photo editing apps.
- HomeKit scenes involving garage doors may not be executed correctly by CarPlay if the iPhone is locked.
- CarPlay may not update Now Playing information for certain apps.
- Video streaming apps may fail to load content on iPhone 13 models.
- Calendar events may appear on the wrong date for Microsoft Exchange users.
Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices.