iOS 14.5 eliminates battery problems on iPhone

Apple had to deliver some security updates for iOS 14.4. Nevertheless, the company is still working on iOS 14.5 in parallel. Beta 6 has now been released and brings several important features with it.

New tool to calibrate iPhone battery

Those who have an iPhone 11, 11 Pro or 11 Pro Max will get a new battery notice after installing iOS 14.5 Beta 6. It says that the iPhone is recalibrating the maximum capacity and the maximum performance of the battery. The process can take a few weeks.

Apple has specially created a support page to explain the process . It says that the “maximum battery capacity is determined by a series of algorithms and measurements during use. Over time, the algorithms can be updated in order to assess the maximum battery capacity as best as possible. “

Updates and security patches now separate

So far, Apple has always released an iOS update, regardless of whether it brings new functions or just delivers security patches. If the company wants to fix a vulnerability, it always has to deliver a new update. Sometimes these security updates have complicated and long version numbers, like recently iOS 14.4.1 . The problem with this is that the patches will not get onto the iPhone if an iOS update is not installed.

Now Apple is apparently working in iOS 14.5 to decouple feature updates and security patches. This would make it possible to fix a vulnerability without having to install a new iOS update. The changes were first noticed by the Apple-focused “ 9to5Mac ” page in the iOS 14.5 developer code. After installing Beta 4, a new menu item also appears in the update settings. The option “Install security updates” can now be found under “Automatic updates”.

It is unclear how Apple could implement the separation. Google has been developing Android for years with security patches that are independent of the feature updates. The company releases a new patch every month. This means that even devices running an old Android version can always be up to date in terms of security. This separation would also be an opportunity for Apple devices. The company supports its devices with software updates for a very long time. If these expire, however, safe operation is no longer possible. Providing patches separately would therefore make it possible to use older iOS devices without hesitation.

New emojis in iOS 14.5

Actually, we didn’t expect new emojis before 2022. But now Apple has brought forward the publication without further ado. With iOS 14.5, there are 217 new entries on the iPhone . While there are some completely new ones, there are also some that have just been customized. For example, there are more gender and skin color-appropriate smileys, symbols remodeled on Apple devices and even corona changes.

Completely new emojis

Including emojis

Apple and Corona emojis

The headphones now come in their own Apple look and thus follow the general design line. Similar emojis on Apple devices already represent things like smartphones ?, laptops ?and watches ⌚in the Apple look.

Spotify (and others) as the default music player

iOS 14.5 with solution for the Face ID problem

Face ID has proven extremely impractical in the corona pandemic. If you are wearing a mask, the sensor cannot recognize your face. Apple is aware of the problem and has been working on solutions to bypass Face ID for some time. A long time ago, the company delivered an update to speed up the unlocking process. In essence, this only resulted in the passcode entry appearing immediately when Face ID recognizes a mask in front of the face. Not an optimal solution compared to quick unlocking with one swipe.

With iOS 14.5 there should be a better solution that will make it easier for at least some iPhone owners to use their smartphones again. The prerequisite for this: an Apple Watch.

It is already possible now to unlock a Mac with the Apple Watch. You can also unlock the Apple Watch with the iPhone. However, the reverse has not yet been possible. With the developer beta of iOS 14.5, Apple is testing exactly this function. When the iPhone screen is switched on, the Apple Watch sends haptic feedback – a small indication that the iPhone has just been unlocked. Of course, this only works if the watch is close to the iPhone. And only when the Apple Watch is unlocked.

Rumor has it that Apple could bring back Touch ID with the iPhone 13 to finally eliminate the mask problem with Face ID. A solution with a fingerprint sensor under the screen, which is already being used successfully in many Android smartphones, is conceivable. You can find more information about the new features in the iPhone 13 in our overview .

Transparent control over advertising tracking

In iOS 14.5, Apple will give iPhone owners full control over advertising tracking for the first time. Similar to access to the camera and storage, pop-ups appear asking if you want to activate advertising tracking for certain apps. With tracking, services like Facebook and Google can keep track of which apps you install, which pages you visit and much more.

So far, tracking was switched on by default, now you have to actively agree – or reject. Facebook has already sued against it and started an image campaign against Apple’s actions, as it fears financial losses due to the new transparency. The company is currently sending pop-ups to users asking them to turn on ad tracking.

Dual SIM with 5G support

Expanded compatibility with gaming controllers

Anyone who uses the iPhone for gaming or cloud gaming can be happy. With the new update, the DualSense controller of the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X controller are also compatible with the iPhone.

Other new features in iOS 14.5

Make emergency calls via Siri

Siri can now be used to call emergency services in an emergency. The function is also available for older iOS versions at the same time, so it is not an exclusive update.

Reminders app

The app has got new options for sorting reminders by date, creation date, title, etc. In addition, users can now print reminders as a list.

Changes in iPadOS 14.5