APPLE on Monday began the global rollout of the latest major software upgrade for the iPhone.
The iOS14.5 update includes the option to unlock your mobile with Apple Watch while wearing a face mask.
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The feature is a clever way to get around now commonly-worn masks – which typically scupper your iPhone’s Face ID scanner.
Before you can use the feature, you’ll need to download iOS 14.5. Head to settings > general > software update > down and install.
How to unlock your iPhone while wearing a face mask
If you use Face ID and your mobile spots that your mouth and nose are covered, you’ll soon be able to unlock it using your Apple Watch, instead.
The wearable gadget needs to be on your wrist and also unlocked.
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Wake your iPhone by raising it, and then move your Watch close to your handset. Glance at your iPhone to unlock it.
Your watch will give you a little buzz to confirm that your phone has been unlocked, and the padlock on your mobile’s screen will open.
The system is opt-in through settings, so it won’t be on by default.
To activate the feature, head to settings > Face ID and Passcode.
Under “unlock with Apple Watch”, hit the marker under the Watch you wish to unlock with so it turns green.
To use the feature, you’ll need:
- An iPhone that uses Face ID (iPhone X or later) and has iOS 14.5 or later
- An Apple Watch Series 3 or later with watchOS 7.4 or later
What is iOS 14.5?
Apple periodically releases software updates for iOS, the operating system that powers iPhones around the globe.
As well as bug fixes and the patching of security holes, the downloads add new features that Apple’s engineers have been working on.
The latest major update is iOS 14.5.
Apple began rolling out the update at 6pm BST (1pm ET) on April 26.
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What else is new in iOS 14.5?
One of the biggest changes introduced with iOS 14.5 is the fact that your iPhone will let you block specific apps from tracking you across the web.
This has caused major controversy, particularly among heavy-tracking firms like Facebook.
Right now, apps can assign you with a unique advertising ID.
This can follow you around the internet – and across apps.
It’s ostensibly designed to make ads more relevant to you, but the scale of data collection means it’s bad for your privacy.
Apple has already scuppered this tracking on the Safari web browser, which has been able to block across-web tracking for a while.
But the new iOS 14.5 update does the same thing for apps on your iPhone.
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Around two-thirds of iPhone users are expected to opt out of app tracking to protect their privacy, according to a report from AdWeek.
It could impact free apps like Facebook and Instagram that heavily rely on hoarding user data to generate revenue.
The update also adds support for Apple’s new Airtags.
AirTags, which attach to your belongings and can be tracked using your iPhone, will only work with devices running iOS 14.5 or higher.
They’re out April 30, and use GPS technology combined with data from nearby iPhones to pinpoint the location of your stuff..
Among the other changes rolled out by Apple are updates to Apple Maps, new voices for Siri and the introduction of six new emoji.
Other changes coming with iOS 14.5 include updates to Apple Maps, new voices for Siri and the introduction of six new emoji.
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Facebook is trialling a video call speed dating app called Sparked.
And, Google is bringing out a feature to help Android users avoid collisions while texting and walking.
Have you downloaded iOS 14.5 yet? Let us know in the comments!
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This post first appeared on Thesun.co.uk
