iPhones Can Now Be Unlocked Even With a Mask On: Here Are the Best New Features in Apple's Latest iOS Update

Given that mask mandates are being lifted in many parts of the United States, Apple may have been a little late with this new feature in iPhones. But COVID-cautious users can still get a lot of value from it since we are still in the middle of the pandemic, though.

According to The Washington Post, Apple released Monday iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 that brought a range of new features, including the option to use Face ID while wearing a mask.

The iOS 15.4 and iPadOS 15.4 are the fourth major updates to the iOS and iPadOS 15 operating systems released in September 2021.

Apple said the feature would attempt to "recognize the unique features around the eye area" to determine that you are, in fact, you.

Once you have made it through the setup process, Face ID should work as it does when you are unmasked. Still, these speedy unlocks can come at a cost.

Apple admits that Face ID is most accurate when it can see your whole face, so do not be surprised if your phone misses an unlock while you're masked.

That is especially true if you wear hats such as toques and beanies that cover more parts of your face, and sunglasses, in particular, are a no-go. Regular glasses are fine, though.

While these mask adjustments make Face ID less secure in some ways, it is still not that easy to trick. For example, you cannot unlock your phone by pointing the camera at a video of yourself wearing a mask.

Apple Brings Cool New Features to Your iPhones and iPads

The most anticipated feature in these updates is the Universal Control, which allows you to control multiple Apple devices at once. It was supposed to launch around the same time when iOS 15 and iPadOS 15 were released last year.

Universal Control allows you to interact with your nearby iPad while sitting at your desk with a Mac. Let us assume you are working on a Mac, and your iPad is next to it. Once both are running with the latest software, you can easily move files around or copy and paste text by moving your mouse's cursor between those screens.

The simplest way to get this kind of connection going is to connect the iPad to your Mac with a USB cable. However, getting those devices to communicate wirelessly is also simple. Just make sure both of them are signed in to the same iCloud account and enabled Bluetooth, WiFi, and Handoff.

The only catch is you will need some pretty recent hardware to pull this feature off. The full list of compatible devices can be found on the Apple Support website, but sadly, you are out of luck if you bought your iPad earlier than the end of 2018 or your Mac before 2015.

What Else Is New on Apple's Latest iOS Update?

Apple devices as old as the iPhone 6s can run iOS 15.4, and most iPad models from late 2014 onward can also install the latest iPadOS update.

IOS 15.4 brings a few improvements to Apple's potentially creepy trackers. The update includes, among other things, improved recognition for nearby AirPods so that an alarming "unknown accessory detected" alert does not appear.

Also, it added the ability to use the "Find My" function on newer iPhones to lead you to AirTags placed around you. An additional voice, expanding the diversity of options, is also included in the update. A member of the LGBTQ+ community recorded this new Siri voice, which is not distinctively male or female.

Emergency SOS settings have also changed. Emergency SOS now employs the Call with Hold feature by default. To place an emergency call on iPhones, press and hold the side and volume buttons until a countdown begins to initiate. Call with five presses is still available as an option in Emergency SOS settings.

New emoji, including a face holding back tears, a biting lip, and heart hands, are also available on the emoji keyboard.

The updates also lay the groundwork for the new "Tap to Pay on iPhone feature that allows NFC-compatible iPhones to accept payments via Apple Pay. There are also updates to add custom domains to iCloud Mail right on the device.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Jess Smith

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