iOS 15.4 is available: the complete list of new features

Version 15.4 of iOS has been available to everyone since March 14, 2022, after several weeks of testing. It doesn't arrive alone, iPadOS 15.4, tvOS 15.4, HomePodOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5 are also there. Just like macOS 12.3, for which we have adedicated article.

Below are the additions included in iOS and iPadOS 15.4. Further down in the article, also find the new features brought by tvOS 15.4, HomePodOS 15.4 and watchOS 8.5.

iOS 15.4: what changes?

• AirTag :to combat the misuse of AirTag object sensors, and in particular the surveillance of people, Apple has introduced various new featurespresented already a few weeks ago, including an anti-harassment alert on first turn on and a new alert and location function for an AirTag that is potentially tracking us
• Vaccination certificate and Wallet:Wallet (Cards app) and Health natively support European vaccination certificates. A new Wallet widget is also there
• System update via 4G:if it was already possible to perform iOS updates via 5G on iPhone 12 and later models, it is possible under iOS 15.4 to do the same via the 4G cellular internet connection from any iPhone (iOS 15 compatible )
• Emergency calls:when an iPhone is first started, the emergency call functionality is presented with an invitation to check the corresponding settings, including choice of contact for the emergency call
• Apple Podcasts :added filters to help you navigate through the episodes and podcasts you follow
• Driver's license and ID card in Maps:certain lines of the source code of iOS 15.4 beta 2 mention the possibility of integrating the driving license and the identity card in the Maps application (in the United States initially). This is a new feature presented during the introduction of iOS 15 in 2021, announced for 2022, but still not available on iPhone
• Fixed a major privacy bug:Apple has permanently fixed a security flaw that allowed the company's servers to receive audio recordings from Siri and Dictation, even if the user had not authorized the sharing of this information
• Application TV :choice of what appears in the sectionTo be continued
• Notes :customization of swipe gestures left or right to, for example, create a quick note or take a screenshot
• iPhone 13 Pro :access to 120 Hz is now more open to third-party developers
• Face ID :can now unlock even while wearing a mask or glasses, with two options offered to the user (classic Face ID unlocking or unlocking with mask). This feature is only available on iPhone 12 and later models however
• Universal control :the toolUniversal Controlis finally operational
• Trousseau iCloud:new ability to add notes for each of your passwords. Another change is the ability to hide iOS security warnings displayed for passwords showing potential security vulnerabilities. Also, the Password Book can no longer save password entries without an associated username. Finally, the account switcher has been improved
• Keyboard :ability to add a shortcut to change the brightness of your iPad keyboard (Magic Keyboard) within Control Center
• Emojis :123 additional emoticons, also available on watchOS 8.5 and other new iPad, Mac and Apple TV OSes
• SharePlay :now accessible directly from Apple Music
• Apple Card :new widget displaying balance and expenses
• Cards: integration of COVID-19 vaccination certificates
• Shortcuts :enabling or disabling the notification that appears when a custom automation is triggered
• Mail :addition of personalized domains from the iPhone (accessible to subscribers of the paid iCloud+ service)
• ProMotion :possibility of taking advantage of it from all the applications on iPhones which allow it
• Third-party controllers:management of adaptive triggers for Sony DualSense PS5 gamepads
• Apple Music :new quick access shortcut with long press on the app icon, Read Most Recent, to restart playback on the last song listened to, and Read My Station, for subscribers only, to start playback of the station personal music
• iPad and volume buttons:on the iPad mini 6,that we tested, the volume buttons reverse their operation depending on the landscape or portrait orientation of the tablet. This very practical function should be available for all iPads with iOS 15.4
• Photo and visual search:iOS visual search helps identify objects in photos and images. The function also provides additional information as appropriate (directions, Wikipedia links, etc.)
• Siri :new American English voice option named Quinn. This one is gender neutral,as reported by Techcrunch, making Siri the first intelligent voice assistant with a gender-neutral voice. Incidentally, this addition brings the total number of voices in American English to 5 for the Apple voice assistant
• Loupe :new possibility of selecting the camera used for the magnifier, front or rear
• Text recognitions:it is possible to scan text directly in Apple Notes and Reminders, without going through the photo taking step. Apple has already made a tutorial on it elsewhere

Also note

• Passkeys :as the source code of iOS 15.4 indicates, Apple is preparing the future of iCloud Keychain. With Passkeys, you no longer need passwords to connect to a service. The user's identification and connection to the service in question are done by verifying a set of two keys. One private, the other public, are generated during the initial creation of the user account with the service
• Notifications for web apps:web apps are becoming more and more popular, they can already use the macOS notification system on Safari. They can now also use the iOS notification system via Safari on the iPhone or iPad
• Resale:Apple seems to be preparinga tool to scan iPhones to exchange, as noted in the code of this beta
• Tap to Pay :new tools available for developers allow you to take advantage of a notable new feature. It's about powertransform the iPhone into a contactless payment terminal. Your iPhone will soon be able to be used to get paid by credit card, for example. A useful feature for professionals, self-employed in particular, but also small businesses and independent beginners
• Safari :In WebKit, the source code refers to pages in night mode, suggesting that in the future Safari may display some pages in light or dark mode, regardless of the iPhone's day/night view mode and app.See the details here
• Apple Music :apparently, third-party developers offering apps that take advantage of Apple Music content can no longer allow users to modify the playback of music from the Apple platform, such as the tempo

Find below in English, all the new iOS 15.4 features, presented in English:

How to update

Do not hesitate to consultThis itemexplaining the procedure to follow to update your iPhone or iPad to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS available.

watchOS, HomePodOS et tvOS ?

watchOS 8.5

The watchOS system is available in version 8.5, with the following additions:

• Apple TV :it is possible to validate purchases and Apple TV subscriptions from the watch
• Vaccination certificates:also available in Wallet on the watch, including European COVID-19 vaccination certificate
• Health :improved detection of cardiac arrhythmias
• Fitness+ :some content is accessible directly from the watch
• System :possible restoration of the watch with an iPhone running iOS 15.4
• Security :resolution of a bug making the user's IP address visible in emails despite Apple's Mail Privacy Protection supposed to hide the information from third parties

To update your Apple Watch, go to the Watch app, sectionGeneral > Software Update

HomePodOS 15.4

Here are the new features brought by HomePodOS 15.4:

• Support for up to 6 different users for voice commands in Italian and Indian
• Also supports Siri voice recognition in Dutch (Belgium and Netherlands) and French (Belgium)

The update is carried out by going to the Home application, in Home, thenHome settings > Software update.

tvOS 15.4

For tvOS 15.4, here are the changes to the program:

• Apple TV and Wi-Fi:Connections to Wi-Fi hotspots made easier with iPhone. The latter can manage the access configuration maneuver before handing over to the Apple TV once the internet connection is established.
• Others :some interface improvements (new add to playlist button and new volume management buttons, for example), not to mention bug and security fixes

To update your Apple TV, go toSettings > Software updates > Update software.

What is the most significant new feature for you?

Editor-in-chief for iPhon.fr. Pierre is like Indiana Jones, looking for the lost iOS trick. Also a long-time Mac user, Apple devices hold no secrets for him. Contact: pierre[a]iphon.fr.