Apple Reveals iOS 14.5 Will Be Available “Next Week;” Keeps Release Date Under Wraps

Leigh Mercer, Tech Times 21 April 2021, 04:04 am

Apple recently confirmed the arrival of the iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates, but did not officially mention the exact date of its release.

The much-anticipated software's launch was subtly revealed in a press release for the newly announced AirTags, and drew excitement from Apple fans who are waiting for its App Tracking Transparency feature.

Apple iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 Silent Reveal

Rumors about iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5's release had been circulating for quite a while, but it was only confirmed when Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern spotted the news.

She shared the news on her Twitter account on Wednesday, Apr. 21, after spotting the buried info while looking into the AirTags' press release.

iOS 14.5 coming next week. News buried right down here at the bottom of AirTags press release. pic.twitter.com/hyvbZUZxYm
— Joanna Stern (@JoannaStern) April 20, 2021

The news comes after the AirTags press release, which was posted shortly after the Apple Spring Loaded Event on Apr. 20, mentioned that it will require both the iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 to run, along with an Apple ID signed in to an iCloud account.

Apple AirTags Can Only Run With iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5

(Photo : Apple Official Blog)

The release of the iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 was reportedly delayed as it was expected to launch late March 2021, and Apple made up for it by launching the iOS 14.5 Public Beta Program.

Also Read: Apple iOS 14.5 Blocks Fingerprint Tracker Apps that Create Unknown Profile

Apple iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5 Confirmed Features

Apple users had been eagerly waiting for the official release of the iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 for a number of reasons, one of which is its App Tracking Transparency (ATT) feature.

The ATT feature would give users full control over which apps would be allowed to track user's activity across the internet - a feature that was heavily panned by Facebook in the past.

Facebook posted a blog about Apple's latest security feature in December 2020, wherein it argued that the move would potentially harm small businesses who rely on Facebook advertising to strive.

Additionally, the iOS 14.5 would allow iPhone users to unlock their phones via Face ID without the need to remove their face masks, but users will need an Apple Watch to do so.

Other features expected on the iOS 14.5 include the Battery Recalibration especially for iPhone 13 models, which had seen an inaccurate read on their smartphone's actual battery health.

Users who were able to test this feature on the iOS 14.5 Public Beta release had seen improvement on their battery health, but those who did not are advised to touch base with any Apple Authorized Service Center to have their batteries replaced.

An update is not complete without the adding a new set of emojis, including the removal of blood on the redesigned syringe emoji in a bid to make it less graphic amid the largest vaccine rollout in history.

As of the iPadOS 14.5, it is expected to introduce a "Scribble" feature, allowing users to write in five new languages apart from English and Chinese, namely Spanish,Portuguese, Italian, French, and German.