Apple has now officially released iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, tvOS 15.4, audioOS 15.4, watchOS 8.5 and macOS Monterey 12.3 to all users worldwide. Below is an overview.
iOS 15.4 includes a number of notable new features. Perhaps the biggest change is support for Face ID when wearing a mask. While Apple introduced support for unlocking the Apple Watch on the iPhone last year, it's now clear that this was originally just a stopgap solution. iOS 15.4 offers a far more advanced solution for using Face ID with a mask. Apple explains that it scans the "unique features around the eye area" to authenticate you with Face ID while wearing a mask.
iPadOS 15.4 & macOS Monterey 12.3 bring Universal Control
The downside is that the new "Use Face ID with a mask" feature is limited to iPhone 12 and newer, so if you have an iPhone X, iPhone XS, or iPhone 11, you won't be able to use this new feature. iPadOS 15.4 and macOS 12.3, which will be released alongside iOS 15.4, also support Universal Control. First announced at WWDC last summer, Universal Control allows you to control multiple iPads and Macs with a single mouse, keyboard, and trackpad. In addition, the updates bring over 37 new emojis and many smaller improvements or optimizations. Below are the highlights.
keyboard brightness
In iPadOS 15.4, there is a new Keyboard Brightness option that can be added to Control Center to adjust the brightness of a connected backlit keyboard. It also works for Apple's Magic Keyboard, but must be added to Control Center. To do this, open Control Center in Settings and tap the "+" button next to Keyboard Brightness.
iCloud Keychain Notes
iCloud Keychain users can now add notes to each password entry, making iCloud Keychain more in line with other password storage options like 1Password.
Passkey Website Sign-in
Apple says iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 add a new Passkey feature that allows users to use an iPhone and a saved passkey to log into passkey-compatible websites and apps on Mac and iPad. This means you can use an iPhone to authenticate on websites that allow authentication with Face ID or Touch ID, instead of having to enter a password.
game controller
According to Apple's release notes, the new DualSense adaptive trigger features are supported by the firmware.
120Hz animations in third-party apps on the iPhone 13 Pro
After the iPhone 13 Pro models were introduced, users noticed that third-party apps were not displaying all animations at the full 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate. Apple said it was a core animation bug that would be fixed in a future update. Now, this seems to be the case with iOS 15.4. With iOS 15.4, all animations in an app are displayed at 120Hz, making using the app much smoother and more efficient.
Custom email domains
iOS 15.4 expands support for the custom email domain available on paid iCloud+ plans and adds an option to set up a custom domain with iCloud Mail directly on iPhone.
SharePlay
In apps that support SharePlay, there is now an option to enable it directly in the share bar.
iPadOS Notes app
In the Notes section of the Settings app on iPad, there is a new "Corner Gestures" section under Quick Notes. In this area, you can choose functions for the left corner swipe and the right corner swipe. Options include "Quick Note" or "Screenshot." There is also the option to turn off the corner swipe gestures.
Adaptation of the TV app
In the TV section of the Settings app under Settings, you can now choose the Still Image or Poster Art options for what you'll see in the app. The Still Image option shows still images of what you're watching, while the Poster Art option shows the main titles of shows or movies.
vaccination records in the health app
Verifiable health records now support adding vaccination records in the EU Digital COVID Certificate format to the Health and Wallet apps, so people in the EU can add their vaccination records in the Wallet app for easy access. Below you can find the entire iOS 15.4 update description listed verbatim. (Photo by yalcin.sonat / Bigstockphoto)
iOS 15.4 update description:
Face ID
- Face ID while wearing a mask on iPhone 12 and later.
- Apple Pay and password autofill in apps and Safari can be used with Face ID while wearing a mask.
emoji
- New emoji, including faces, hand gestures, and household objects, are now available in the Emoji Keyboard.
- With the handshake emoji you can choose a different skin tone for each hand.
FaceTime
- SharePlay sessions can be started directly from supported apps
Siri
- Siri can provide time and date information while offline on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, or later.
- Siri now includes an additional voice that expands the variety of options.
vaccination certificates
- Support for the EU Digital COVID Certificate in Health allows you to download and store verifiable versions of COVID-19 vaccinations, laboratory results and recovery records.
- COVID-19 vaccination cards in Apple Wallet now support the EU Digital COVID Certificate format.
This version also includes the following improvements for your iPhone:
- Safari website translation now supports Italian and Chinese (traditional).
- The Podcasts app now offers episode filters for seasons, played, unplayed, saved or downloaded episodes
- Custom iCloud email domains can be managed through Settings.
- News offers improved discovery of audio content in the Today feed and Audio tab
- The camera in the keyboard can be used to add text to notes and reminders.
- Shortcuts now supports adding, removing or querying tags with reminders
- The SOS emergency call settings have been changed to use the Call Hold feature for all users. 5-press call is still available as an option in the emergency call settings.
- The close-up in Magnifier uses the ultra-wide-angle camera on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to help you see small objects better.
- Saved passwords can now include your own notes in Settings.
This version also includes bug fixes for your iPhone:
- The keyboard may insert a period between typed numbers.
- News widgets in Today View may not open articles when you tap them.
- Photos and videos may not sync to iCloud Photo Library.
- The Accessible Speaking feature may terminate unexpectedly in the Books app.
- You may not be able to turn off Live Listen if it is disabled in Control Center.
