Apple rolled-out iOS 15 in September 2021, but that doesn’t mean that the company had finished with iOS 15. Development of iOS 15 has continued and on 27 January 2022, just days after the release of iOS 15.3, Apple released a beta of iOS 15.4, initially to developers, with the version for beta testers likely to follow shortly.
While iOS 15.3 brought mainly security updates and bug fixes, iOS 15.4 looks set to bring some exciting new features that Apple had promised for the new operating system, but hasn’t yet delivered, a bunch of new emoji, plus one long-awaited feature that will please mask wearers: Unlock with Mask!
iOS 15.4 Release date
You will of course what to know when the final version of iOS 15.4 will arrive.
If Apple follows the same pattern as last year we can draw some conclusions about the release date of iOS 15.4. The current beta corresponds roughly to iOS 14.5 from 2021. Back then the first beta arrived on 1 February 2021. Based on what Apple did in 2021, when it released eight beta versions before the final version, we shouldn’t expect the final version of iOS 15.4 until the end of April.
- iOS 14.5 Beta 1 – 1 February 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 1 second version – 4 February 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 2 – 16 February 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 3 – 3 March 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 4 – 15 March 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 5 – 23 March 2021 iOS 14.5 Beta 6 – 31 March 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 7 – 7 April 2021
- iOS 14.5 Beta 8 – 13 April 2021
- Apple Keynote “Spring loaded” – 20 April 2021
How to get iOS 15.4
If you’d like to join in with the testing, read our guide showing how to join an Apple beta program.
As usual, however, be sure to back up your devices before installing the new beta versions; that way you won’t have to risk losing your files. Ideally you should use a device that is not your daily iPhone or iPad.
We explain how to get the iOS beta and how to install iOS 15 and subsequent updates in a separate article.
Once the full version of iOS 15.4 arrives you will be able to download it on your iPhone. Go to Settings > General > Software Update. You will then see iOS 15.4 which you can download and install.
What’s in iOS 15.4?
Where iOS 15.3 was mostly bug and security fixes, iOS 15.4 looks like it will bring some exciting new features.
Universal Control
While Universal Control is more of an iPadOS and macOS function than an iOS feature, but it’s probably going to be the most significant new feature in this latest round of updates.
The first beta version of iPadOS 15.4 brought Universal Control. Universal Control is an extension of Sidecar, which was introduced in macOS Catalina and iPadOS 13 and made it possible to place an iPad next to a Mac and seamlessly move the mouse or touchpad pointer from the edge of the Mac display directly to the iPad.
The next version of macOS Monterey and iPadOS 15 should mean that you can share the mouse and keyboard across two Macs. Read more about what’s coming in macOS 12.3.
The Universal Control options can be found in the AirPlay & Handoff tab in Settings. There you will find a new option for Cursor and Keyboard (Beta).
Unlock iPhone with a mask
This new feature looks set to be a real bonus, although people will be wondering what took Apple so long.
With iOS 14.5 (in April 2021), it became possible to unlock the iPhone with the Apple Watch if the user wore a mask and the Face ID could therefore not work. Until now, users without an Apple Watch had to hope for an iPhone with the Touch ID. Read: How to unlock an iPhone with a mask on.
In the Face ID & Passcode settings in the iOS 15.4 beta there is a new switch for Face ID with Mask. With this option activated Face ID will “use the unique features around the eye area for authentication,” according to Apple. Apple points out that Face ID is more accurate if this setting is disabled – it doesn’t perform full facial recognition so it is less secure. Apparently, unlocking by Face ID in the mask only works on the iPhone 12 or newer – we will try out the new function in the beta.
Another new setting for unlocking with Face ID is “Add glasses” which will mean the system can correctly recognize your facial features.
New Emojis
There will be a bunch of new emoji coming from the Unicode Consortium. These include a melting face, a saluting face, biting the lip, a jar, the beans, X-ray, and bubbles. The blog emojipedia has a first look at these new emoji.
iCloud Keychain Notes
You will be able to add notes to a password entry in the keychain.
Go to Settings > Passwords to see your keychain entries.
Apple Card widget
There will be a new Apple Card widget that can be added to the Home screen or Today view. It shows your current account balance and spending activities. We don’t know if Apple will be bringing this to the UK yet.
Vaccination passport support in the EU
The health app now supports the EU format for digital COVID certificates, so EU users will be able to add vaccination passport details in the Health and Wallet apps in supported regions.
Support for DualSense adaptive trigger
iOS 15.4 will enable developers to add support for the adaptive shutter release function of the Play Station 5 DualSense controller.
