Apple is offering developers the third beta of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5

Apple today released the third beta of future iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates for developers for testing purposes, with new beta updates set to appear two weeks after Apple released the second beta of iOS and iPadOS 14.5.

iOS and iPadOS 14.5 can be downloaded via the Apple Developer Center or live after the correct profile has been installed on an iPhone or iPad.

iOS 14.5 is the biggest update of iOS 14 to date, introducing some significant new features. First, Apple makes it easier to unlock an iPhone when you’re wearing a face mask with a new “Unlock with Apple Watch” feature.

This sign-up option allows you to use an unlocked and authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method to unlock an iPhone with Face ID. With this feature, you no longer have to enter a password or remove your mask to unlock ‌iPhone‌. Both a PiPhone‌ running iOS 14.5 and an Apple Watch are required to use this, and the Apple Watch cannot authenticate Apple Pay purchases, App Store purchases, or unlock third-party applications that use Face ID.

The update also brings worldwide support for 5G in Dual-SIM mode on iPhone 12 models, so if you use multiple lines, both can now connect at 5G speeds. Previously, Dual-SIM mode was limited to LTE networks.

With watchOS 7.4, iOS and iPadOS 14.5 include AirPlay 2 support for Apple Fitness +, so Apple Fitness + subscribers can start a workout on an iPhone or iPad and then AirPlay on a compatible smart TV or set-top box. ‌AirPlay‌ 2 supports audio and video, but does not display training values ​​on the screen.

PlayStation 5 DualSense and Xbox Series X controllers are supported on ‌iPhone‌ and ‌iPad‌ with iOS 14.5, and the code suggests that Apple will add common support for the Apple Card account in the near future.

iOS 14.5 includes a Waze crowdsourcing feature for reporting crashes, hazards, and speed checks along a route in Maps when you get directions.

There’s a new “Report” button available in the Apple Maps app that lets you tap to report an accident, danger, or quick trap to your location in the “Apple Maps” app, which is a feature of the Waze mapping app. It is available directly on ‌iPhone‌ and in CarPlay.

There are several new emoji characters in iOS 14.5 beta, Apple introducing the heart in flames, the repaired heart, the expiring face, the face with spiral eyes, the face in the clouds, along with various gender options for bearded people. There are also new couple emojis that have new blends of skin tones.

Apple drew blood from the syringe emoji, updated the headphone emoji to look more like an AirPods Max than a generic headset, and added a headset to the mountaineering emojis.

IOS 14.5 beta addresses the issue of the shade of green that some owners of “iPhone” have faced, Apple confirming that the beta has “optimizations” to help with this problem.

“IOS and iPadOS 14.5 beta 2 include optimization to reduce the appearance of dim light that may occur at low levels of brightness with a black background,” reads the Apple iOS 14.5 beta notes. For some users, there are improvements due to optimizations, but for others, the problem seems to exist, so Apple may have something to do next.

iOS and iPadOS 14.5 add a new feature for choosing a default streaming music service to use with Siri. So, if you prefer Spotify instead of Apple Music, for example, you can now choose Spotify as the default application to use with ‌Siri‌, and all ‌Siri‌ song requests will go through Spotify without the need to add “on Spotify” to the end of ‌Siri‌ requests.

iOS 14.5 is the update in which Apple will start asking developers to comply with its transparency rules for tracking applications. In the future, developers will need to ask for and receive your permission to access your random ad identifier and track your activity in apps and websites.

Apple has made design changes to Apple News and Podcasts, plus there are new printing and sorting options in Reminders. There are new settings for emergency alerts, a horizontal loading screen on ‌iPad‌ and many other minor feature changes, which are featured in our full iOS 14.5 feature guide. Apple says that iOS and iPadOS 14.5 will be released in the spring, so we can expect a release date after March 20.

Note: The beta 3 launch was a bit rocky today, initially being available only through the Apple Developer Center, before being removed after about 45 minutes. Beta 3 is now being released and has been reposted at the developer center.