Everything new in iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS 12.3
Face ID with mask on and Universal Control are here!
Apple released the new iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS 12.3 OS software updates earlier today. The new software updates come with a number of features, such as Universal Control, support for Face ID with a mask on, ProMotion support in third-party apps on iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max, new emojis, and much more. Here are the top new features of iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS 12.3 Monterey.
Face ID With a Mask
Apple has added support for Face ID with mask in iOS 15.4. Now, if you own an iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 series device running iOS 15.4, you can unlock your iPhone, authenticate payments, unlock apps, and do all the Face ID stuff all while wearing a mask. You don't need to pull off the mask to use Face ID anymore.
If your iPhone scans that you're wearing a mask, the new iOS 15.4 scans the area around your eyes to authenticate unlocks. Apple says that Face ID is "most accurate when it’s set up for full-face recognition only," but it’s also able to "recognize the unique features around the eye area" to authenticate in case you’re wearing a mask. This feature can be set up in Face ID settings on iOS 15.4.
Universal Control
Along with iOS 15.4, Apple also released iPadOS 15.4 and macOS 12.3 to the developers. And finally, the new OS update brings Universal Control. Now, you can use your iPad and Mac devices seamlessly using only the keyboard and trackpad of your Mac seamlessly. The feature seems to be working as advertised. Check out the demo of Universal Control posted by MacStories founder Federico Viticci on Twitter down below:
Settings for Universal Control can be configured on both iPad and Mac. On macOS 12.3 Monterey, the Universal Control setting can be found under the Display panel of System Preferences on the Mac. It also shows up under General → AirPlay & Handoff → Cursor & Keyboard.
New emojis
The latest softwares also bring support for Unicode Emoji 14 to the iPhone, bringing over 37 emojis and 75 skin tone additions for a total of 112 new characters to the OS. The new emojis include melting face, saluting face, face with open eyes and hand over mouth, face with peeking eye, face with the diagonal mouth, and dotted line face, while new emojis include biting lip and bubbles, and much more.
ProMotion 120Hz for third-party apps on iPhone 13 Pro/Pro Max
iOS 15.4 will finally allow developers to run animations at the full 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max models. On iOS 15.4, you'll find all the animations in third-party apps smoother and improve your app usage experience even further.
iCloud Keychain Notes
On iOS 15.4, you'll be able to save notes to password entries on iCloud Keychain. This makes iCloud Keychain service more like third-party services such as 1Password and LastPass. You can add notes to your iCloud Keychain password by going to Settings → Passwords on iOS 15.4 and above.
More features
- Apple has added a number of improvements to SharePlay with iOS 15.4. Now, you can directly open SharePlay and listen to your favorite songs with your friends right from the Music app. There's an option to activate SharePlay directly from the share sheet on other supported apps as well.
- You can now create custom email domains with iCloud+.
- Now you can turn off notification for personal automation in Siri Shortcuts.
- Apple has added a new Card Widget to iOS with iOS 15.4
- Apple has also added support to store EU Digital COVID Certificate to Health and Wallet apps with the new update.
- The OS updates also bring support for Sony's new DualSense adaptive trigger feature.
To install iOS 15.4 on your iPhone, go to Settings → General → Software Update → Download and Install. What are your thoughts on the new iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, and macOS 12.3 features? Which is your favorite one? Let us know in the comments section below!
Read More
Battle of the sub-$500 phones: Samsung, Google, Apple, Moto
In this article, we put down the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, iPhone SE (2022), Google Pixel 6a, and the Moto G Stylus 5G (2022) against each other to see which is the best choice for you.
Apple's secret weapon might be an E Ink foldable smartphone
According to popular Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, Apple is testing E Ink's color Electronic Paper Display (EPD) for its future products with foldable screens. Here's why we think it will be a smart decision.
Apple developers could charge you extra without you knowing
A recent change allowed App Store developers to automatically charge users when a subscription price goes up. Here’s everything you need to know and watch out for to prevent higher bills at the end of the month.
iOS 16: here's what to expect
Apple will announce iOS 16 in a few weeks' time. Here's everything we know about the major iPhone update ahead of launch.
Search
Latest Articles
Here's how the Apple iPod changed the world in 21 years
iPod was an industry-changing device at its time, and it had a massive impact on modern smartphones, and the way we listen to music. We take a last look at the now-discontinued Apple iPod and the history it leaves behind.
An ad-supported Netflix tier might not be that bad of an idea, here’s why
Netflix will reportedly introduce its ad-supported plan towards the end of 2022. But is it that bad of an idea? Let's discuss.
OnePlus 10 Pro vs Google Pixel 6 Pro: ready to be SHOCKED? (video)
Sadly, if I'm to pay 2022 flagship money, I don't want a phone with anything that's dated, and especially something every flagship and their mother have been doing for at least four years.
Best deals today: ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 Professional Laptop, Samsung Galaxy phones, and more
Today's best deals come from Amazon.com, where you will find several Chromebooks, smartphones, and more devices on sale
How to remove bloatware and carrier apps from Android
More often than not, Android smartphones come with a number of. unwanted and bloatware apps. But, did you know you can uninstall and remove them from your Android device? Here's how.
Apple’s M1-powered 24-inch iMac is receiving up to $199 savings on select models
Check out the latest savings available on the M1-powered iMac that features a beautiful 24-inch 4.5K Retina display and other great features
Hands on with new Lenovo Legion 7 Gaming Laptops
The Lenovo Legion Gaming Laptops have offered some of the best hardware in recent years, and in this article we look at the new device the lineup has on offer in 2022.
How to use Mic Modes in VOIP and FaceTime Calls
This guide will go over the steps you need to follow to activate one of the available Mic Mode settings on Apple Devices to begin using the feature and improve your calling experience.
Here's why we're excited about the upcoming Motorola Razr (2022)
A new leak has shown off the upcoming Motorola flip foldable smartphone, and we really believe that the 3rd Gen Moto Razr (2022) could challenge Samsung in the foldable department. Here's why.
This iPhone 14 feature might urge users to upgrade
Until now, it appeared that iPhone 14 would only be a minor upgrade over the iPhone 13 series. However, a new leak suggests that the iPhone 14 will come with one feature that might urge users to upgrade.