Apple has begun rolling out iOS 15.4 to all eligible models worldwide. Due to the features it offers, the latest iPhone software can easily be called highly anticipated. Finally, you can unlock your iPhone while wearing a mask and without needing your Apple Watch. You will be able to use new emojis after updating, as well as an anti-stalking feature for AirTags.
It is easy to update your iPhone. You can update your iPhone by going to Settings, then General, and then Software update. You should see iOS 15.4 available for download as soon as the system checks for new software. For the nearly 1.2GB download size, your iPhone needs a Wi-Fi connection. Your iPhone will restart once the update has been downloaded.
Features of iOS 15.4 Update APK
Control Universal
The only feature specific to iPadOS 15.4 is Universal Control, which was supposed to release last fall but was delayed until spring 2022. You can use this feature to drag and drop files between an iPad and Mac running macOS 12.3 as well as share keyboard and mouse wirelessly between them under the AirPlay & Handoff tab in the General Settings. You'll find a new Cursor and Keyboard option there. Find out how Universal Control differs from Sidecar in our primer article.
Mask for Face ID
It's better late than never, right? When Face ID doesn't work, iOS 14.5 allows you to unlock your iPhone with your Apple Watch, but that isn't much use if you don't have a watch, but are trying to reduce the spread of a deadly pandemic by wearing a mask in public.
With iOS 15.4, you'll find a new toggle to Use Face ID with a Mask in the Face ID & Passcode settings. Face ID, when enabled, will "use the unique features around the eye area to authenticate" rather than full facial recognition, which includes unlocking, payments, and password/login authentication. There's also a new "Add Glasses" setting so the system can properly recognize your facial features. According to Apple, Face ID is more accurate when the settings are turned off.
Changes to AirTag
Apple has announced several AirTag changes that will arrive this year, the first of which arrives in iOS 15.4. Apple added a new message to setup explaining AirTag is "designed to be detected by victims and to allow law enforcement to request identifying information about the owner." It also warns that tracking people without their consent is illegal.
Emojis
Emoji 14 is a release of several dozen new emojis from the Unicode Consortium. Melting face, saluting face, biting lips, jar, beans, x-ray, bubbles, and more are among them.
The new Siri voice
Moreover, iOS 15.4 introduces a new American Siri Voice 5 that can be used for all interactions. According to Apple, the voice isn't explicitly male or female and was recorded by a member of the LBGTQ+ community. It's another step in Apple's diversity drive, which began in iOS 14.5 last April when the default female voice was removed and two black actors recorded voices.
Adaptive triggers for DualSense
Developers can now support the adaptive triggers function of the PlayStation 5 DualSense controller with this release.
Notes in the iCloud Keychain
Keychain allows you to add notes to password entries. To see and edit your Keychain entries, go to Settings > Passwords.
Password management in Safari
With iOS 15.4 3, Safari will no longer silently save passwords for websites without a login name. In order to have a more comprehensive password entry, it will prompt you to enter your login. This change was acknowledged by Apple developer Ricky Mondello on Twitter.
Card Widget for Apple
You can now add a new Apple Card widget to your home screen or Today view. The widget displays your current balance and spending activity.
EU vaccination records
The Health app now supports the EU Digital COVID Certificate format, so you can add your vaccine record to the Health and Wallet apps.
Touch-to-Pay
As previously announced, Apple has added the framework for Tap to Pay to iOS 15.4. iPhones can now accept payments using Apple Pay without a credit card terminal or additional hardware. Apps need to be able to support this feature, and Apple has been working with Stripe to test it. Therefore, those who use Stripe should be among the first to get this feature.
ProMotion in third-party apps
With the iPhone 13 Pro, Apple added 120Hz ProMotion support to the iPhone, but compatibility in apps was limited due to a Core Animation bug that limited most third-party apps to 60Hz. This bug has been fixed in iOS 15.4, and third-party apps that use Core Animation will automatically get up to 120Hz animations.
