Apple launches iOS 15.4. Allows you to unlock Face ID with face mask and save the green certificate in the Wallet

Apple has probably launched what is the latest major version of iOS 15 before the release of iOS 16 in the fall. This version does not come with many new features, but only with improvements to certain existing capabilities. The most important addition of iOS 15.4 is dedicated to those who wear a protective mask, which allows you to unlock the phone even with the face partially covered. However, this feature does not work for all users.

iOS 15.4 may be the latest major release before version 16

After applying the new update, which has about 1 GB, those who have iPhone 12 or iPhone 13 models will have the option to register their face again in the Face ID system to be able to unlock the phone with the mask on the face, without taking it off. Apple introduced a similar capability in iOS 14 last year, which allowed you to unlock your phone without taking your mask off, if you already had an Apple Watch with the latest version of watchOS on hand, and the two devices were paired closely.

Unfortunately, this means that iPhone X, XS, XR and Generation 11 users will not be able to use the new capability, despite the fact that they benefit from the Face ID system, which has not changed in terms of hardware in the last 4 years. years.

This measure seems a bit delayed, given that most countries in the world are easing restrictions in the last few months and no longer require wearing a mask in many public spaces. IOS 15.4 also finally adds compatibility to Apple’s wallet for integrating green vaccination certificates. This capability was unofficially available through third-party services, but now you can simply scan the code to add it to your wallet for quick access.

iPadOS also gets improvements

But the only really new capability is related to macOS and iPadOS. This is called Universal Control and allows the use of a single set of peripherals on all Apple devices. Basically, you can use a single keyboard and a single mouse or trackpad to control multiple computers with macOS and iPadOS tablets at the same time. You can move the cursor from one screen to another simultaneously, and you can even copy & drop files between systems.

Holy wow Universal Control is incredible.

This is me moving between a MacBook Pro, an iPad mini, and an iPad Pro using just the MacBook trackpad and keyboard. It’s aware of position, lets you drag files, and supports iPadOS gestures.

The hype was real and it all just works pic.twitter.com/PWUTLYZtkW

– Federico Viticci (@viticci) January 27, 2022

This feature was announced last summer at WWDC, where new versions of operating systems were first introduced, but development issues led to the postponement of Universal Control for half a year later from the debut of iPadOS 15 and macOS Monterey.

Here is the full list of what’s new in iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4:

iOS 15.4

iOS 15.4 adds the ability to unlock with Face ID while wearing a face mask on iPhone 12 and newer models. This update also adds new emoji, offers the option to start SharePlay sessions directly from compatible applications, and includes other features and fixes for iPhone.

Face ID

• The option to use Face ID while wearing a face mask on iPhone 12 and newer models
• Apple Pay and in-app passwords and Safari can be used with Face ID while wearing a face mask

Emoji

• New emojis, including faces, hand gestures, and household items, are now available in the emoji keyboard
• The emoji that illustrates a handshake allows you to choose separate skin tones for each hand

FaceTime

• SharePlay sessions can be started directly from compatible applications

Siri

• Siri can provide offline date and time information on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 and newer models

Vaccination cards

• Health application compatibility with the EU Digital Certificate on COVID allows you to download and store verifiable versions of vaccination records, lab test results, and COVID-19 cure
• COVID-19 vaccination cards in the Wallet application are now compatible with the format of the EU Digital Certificate on COVID

This release also includes the following enhancements for iPhone:

• Safari web page translation functionality adds Italian and Chinese (traditional) compatibility
• The Podcasts app adds the ability to filter episodes by season or by playback, unplayed, saved, or downloaded
• ICloud custom email domains can be managed from Settings
• The Shortcuts app now allows you to add, remove, or query tags with the Reminders app
• “Emergency SOS” functionality settings have been changed for all users to use the “Hold Hold” option. The “5-tap dialing” option is still available in the “Emergency SOS” settings
• Close-up functionality in the Magnifier app uses the ultra-wide-angle lens on the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to help you see small objects
• Saved passwords can now include your own notes in Settings

This release also fixes the following issues for iPhone:

• The keyboard could insert dots between the numbers typed
• Photos and videos may not sync with the iCloud photo library
• The “Screen Enunciation” accessibility feature may be closed unexpectedly within the Books application
• The “Live Listening” feature may not stop when you turn off the control center

iPadOS 15.4

Here is the list of devices compatible with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15

iPhone

• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 12
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone 11 Pro
• iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone Xs
• iPhone Xs Max
• iPhone Xr
• iPhone X
• iPhone 8
• iPhone 8 Plus
• iPhone 7
• iPhone 7 Plus
• iPhone 6s
• iPhone 6s Plus
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone SE (1st generation)
• iPod touch (7th generation)

iPad

• iPad Pro 12.9-inch M1 (5th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch M1 (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2021 (4th generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch 2021 (2nd generation)
• iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2018 (3rd generation)
• iPad Pro 11-inch 2018 (1st generation)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2nd generation)
• 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st generation)
• 10.5-inch iPad Pro
• 9.7-inch iPad Pro
• iPad (9th generation)
• iPad (8th generation)
• iPad (7th generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad (5th generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation)
• iPad mini 4
• iPad Air (5th generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• iPad Air (3rd generation)
• iPad Air 2

source: Apple (iPhone, iPad)