The official version of iOS 14.5 is finally here! More than a dozen new features are quite practical

Hello friends, after 8 Beta versions and 1 RC version, Apple finally launched the official version of iOS 14.5 early this morning. It has been exactly 3 months since the official version of iOS 14.4 was released (January 27).

Although it is just a minor version update, it contains a lot of updated content, such as Apple Watch unlocking iPhone, limiting apps from tracking users, etc.

Now Shichao will show you what new features Apple has come up with in the past three months.

Users can choose whether the app tracks them

The first thing I want to talk about is that the App Tracking Transparency that caused a lot of controversy a while ago is finally officially launched.

Do you remember the news about the quarrel between Apple and Facebook?

We have written an article about this before (click to view), and here is a brief explanation: In our mobile phones, there is a string of numbers called Advertising Identifier (IDFA), which is bound to our device.

By tracking IDFA, Facebook and some advertisers can accurately deliver advertisements to users and analyze the effectiveness of advertisements.

But now Apple has turned off this tracking permission by default and given the choice to users, so these advertisers are definitely not happy about it and are complaining and fighting.

After updating to iOS 14.5, we will receive a pop-up prompt when an app wants to track us.

In addition, we can also manage it in a unified way in Settings - Privacy - Tracking.

There is one thing I want to make clear to everyone: disabling app tracking will not reduce the number of ads we see. It can only be said that the ads pushed may not be of interest to you.

You can use Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone

Since the outbreak, it has been very troublesome for people to unlock their iPhones with their faces. Either they have to take off their masks or enter their passwords manually.

At that time, there were some tutorials on the Internet about how to unlock a phone while wearing a mask, such as using a piece of paper to half-cover the face when entering the face. Anyway, Shichao tried everything he could, but the phone never recognized him wearing a mask.

Image source: B station @Big Ear TV ▼

However, after upgrading to iOS 14.5, we go to Settings - Face ID & Passcode to turn on the Apple Watch unlock option. At this time, when we unlock the iPhone while wearing a mask, it can be unlocked directly through the Apple Watch.

Note that to perform the above operations, you need Apple Watch Series 3, iPhone X and above devices, and the system requires watchOS 7.4, iOS 14.5 and above versions.

To learn more about how to unlock iPhone with Apple Watch, you can read our previous article.

Find apps that support AirTag

Although the official version of iOS 14.5 has not been released for a long time, in these two days, Shichao has a strong feeling that it is coming soon.

In fact, this is not a sixth sense. It’s just that as far as we know, the earliest shipping date of AirTag is April 30, and it only supports iOS 14.5 and above, so the new version will definitely be launched in the next two days.

Otherwise, users will receive the goods but still not be able to use them. Wouldn’t Cook be anxious?

After this update, we can add AirTag in the Find app, and you can use it to your heart’s content after receiving it.

Siri has evolved

Our Siri is smarter than before (crying voice).

After updating to iOS 14.5, when you tell Siri “Play song” for the first time, it will no longer open Apple Music. Instead, a list of related apps will pop up. We can select a third-party app as the default music app.

At the same time, if a stranger calls us while we are wearing Airpods or compatible Beats, Siri will read out the phone number. If the caller is a contact, Siri will read out the contact's name.

Wow, I've seen this feature on my grandpa's old phone!

The difference is that after Siri announces the incoming call information, it will ask you if you want to answer the call. At this time, just answer "Answer" and your iPhone will answer the call.

But I have to complain about one thing, Siri's announcement and the phone ringtone are actually sounded at the same time, when the call came, I couldn't hear what Siri was saying at all.

Apple Music is changing

I don’t know if you will use the lyrics sharing function of NetEase Cloud Music and QQ Music. Now Apple Music also has this function.

The operation method is the same, just long press the lyrics to share.

However, it currently only supports sharing to messages, Instagram, and Facebook, and only those who share it can listen to it if they are also members.

In addition, Apple Music has added a new city ranking, which currently only supports Beijing, Guangzhou, and Shanghai (by the way, you can always see Jay Chou on the Apple Music ranking).

Maps has new features

Do you guys use Apple's built-in maps when traveling? I don't use it. I think local software such as weather and maps are more accurate.

This update adds a reporting function to the map. For example, if we see some car accidents or road construction while navigating, we can report them to Apple.

The idea is good, but Shichao tested it and found that no proof is required to submit the report. I don’t know how Apple will review it after receiving it.

iPhone 11 battery recalibration

Previously, Apple stated that the battery health of the iPhone 11 series was inaccurate, and this bug would cause extra power consumption and reduced health.

What? I thought the battery life was not that good, and you are still doing something fancy.

Image source @Apple Support▼

This time, iOS14.5 has added a recalibration function for the iPhone 11 series, and this process may take several weeks.

I don’t know what the 91% capacity of the World Super Cup will be adjusted to by then.

Fix iPhone 12 Green Screen?

In the update report, Shichao saw the following line of words: Optimized to reduce the low light that may appear when displaying a black background at low brightness on iPhone 12 models.

I don’t know what you think, but Shichao feels that the “weak light” here is not simple. Love is a light that is so green that it makes you panic. Those who understand will understand.

However, judging from the feedback from netizens, iOS 14.5 does not seem to have completely fixed the green screen issue. I wonder if you have fixed it after upgrading.

Image source @CoolAn▼

There are also some other small updates

Two new hearts and three new faces have been added, as well as some bearded men and women.

Image source: @emojipedia ▼

There are also more options for long pressing the double and kiss expressions, which seem to be for single people.

The bleeding syringe emoji was replaced, and the headphone icon was changed to the AirPods Max style.

Image source: @emojipedia ▼

Reminders can now be sorted by title, date, and printed directly.

After the update, the translation can also be reported at twice the speed.

There is also secondary SIM card support for activating 5G, and the shortcut command has added a screenshot action and some minor updates to the application interface, which I will not go into detail one by one.

In terms of new features, Shichao believes that it is still recommended to update iOS 14.5 (if you don’t update, you won’t be able to use AirTag, and updating may also save your battery). What do you think?

Regarding the actual experience of the new system, a single device from Shichao is not very reliable as a reference. After all, every time there is an update, some people say it is smoother, while others say it is stuck.