After rolling out the feature in iOS 15.4 beta in January, Apple has rolled out the stable iOS 15.4 update that brings the ability to unlock with Face ID while wearing a mask on iPhone 12 and newer. The company also rolled out macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4 updates that brings Universal Control, so you can use a single mouse and keyboard across your iPad and Mac.
The updates also include new emoji, an additional voice for Siri, and other features and bug fixes for these devices, and also adds dynamic head tracking for Music with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip.
Live Text makes text interactive in your photos, so you can copy and paste, look up, and translate in Photos, Screenshot, Quick Look, Safari, and live previews with Camera (iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR and later). Even though it is not mentioned in the changelog, the update also adds 120Hz animations in third-party apps on iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max phones, as Apple had promised.
Universal Control
Universal Control was first announced with macOS 12 Monterey, and the feature is finally available with macOS Monterey 12.3 and iPadOS 15.4. This feature will allow users to use a single mouse and keyboard and seamlessly move between their Mac and iPad. It will also support dragging and dropping content back and forth between these devices.
If you want Universal Control to work, devices must be signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID using two-factor authentication. Devices must be within a few meters of each other and have Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Handoff turned on.
Check out the complete changelog below.
iOS 15.4
iOS 15.4 adds the ability to unlock with Face ID while wearing a mask on iPhone 12 and newer. This update also includes new emoji, a new voice option for Siri, and other features and bug fixes for your iPhone.
Face ID
- Face ID while wearing a mask option on iPhone 12 and newer
- Apple Pay and password autofill in apps and Safari can be used with Face ID while wearing a mask
Emoji
- New emoji including faces, hand gestures, and household objects are now available in emoji keyboard
- Handshake emoji allows you to choose separate skin tones for each hand
FaceTime
- SharePlay sessions can be initiated directly from supported apps
Siri
- Siri can provide time and date information while offline on iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11 or newer
- Siri now includes an additional voice, expanding the diversity of options
Vaccine cards
- EU Digital COVID Certificate support in Health enables you to download and store verifiable versions of COVID-19 vaccination, lab results, and recovery records
- COVID-19 vaccination cards in Apple Wallet now support the EU Digital COVID Certificate format
This release also includes the following enhancements for your iPhone:
- Safari webpage translation adds support for Italian and Chinese (Traditional)
- Podcasts app adds episode filters for seasons, played, unplayed, saved, or downloaded episodes
- iCloud custom email domains can be managed from Settings
- News offers enhanced discovery of audio content in the Today feed and Audio tab
- Camera in keyboard can be used to add text to Notes and Reminders
- Shortcuts now supports adding, removing, or querying tags with Reminders
- Emergency SOS settings have changed to use Call with Hold for all users. Call with 5 Presses is still available as an option in Emergency SOS settings
- Close-up in Magnifier uses the ultra-wide camera on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max to help you see small objects
- Saved passwords can now include your own notes in Settings
This release also includes bug fixes for your iPhone:
- Keyboard may insert period between typed numbers
- News widgets in Today View may not open articles when tapped
- Photos and videos may not sync to iCloud Photo Library
- Speak Screen Accessibility feature may quit unexpectedly within the Books app
- Live Listen may not turn off when switched off in Control Center
iPadOS 15.4
iPadOS 15.4 adds Universal Control so you can use a single mouse and keyboard across your iPad and Mac. This release also includes new emoji, an additional voice for Siri, and other features and bug fixes for your iPad.
Universal Control
- Universal Control allows you to use a single mouse and keyboard across iPad and Mac
- Text can be typed on either iPad or Mac and you can drag and drop files between them
Emoji
- New emoji including faces, hand gestures, and household objects
- Handshake emoji allows you to choose separate skin tones for each hand
FaceTime
- SharePlay sessions can be initiated directly from supported apps
Siri
- Siri can provide time and date information while offline on iPad Pro with A12Z Bionic and later
- Siri now includes an additional voice, expanding the diversity of options
This release also includes the following enhancements for your iPad:
- Volume controls can be set to adjust as you rotate your iPad, on iPad (5th generation and newer), iPad mini (4th and 5th generation), iPad Air 2, iPad Air (3rd and 4th generation), and iPad Pro
- iCloud custom email domains can be managed from Settings
- Safari webpage translation adds support for Italian and Chinese (Traditional)
- Podcasts app adds episode filters for seasons, played, unplayed, saved, or downloaded episodes
- News offers enhanced discovery of audio content in the Today feed and Audio tab
- Camera in keyboard can be used to add text to Notes and Reminders
- Shortcuts adds support for tags in Reminders; add, remove, or query tags when creating and editing Shortcuts
- Security recommendations can now be hidden
- Saved passwords can now include your own notes in Settings
This release also includes bug fixes for your iPad:
- Keyboard may insert period between typed numbers
- News widgets in Today View may not open articles when tapped
- Photos and videos may not sync to iCloud Photo Library
- Speak Screen Accessibility feature may quit unexpectedly within the Books app
- Live Listen may not turn off when switched off in Control Center
macOS Monterey 12.3
macOS 12.3 adds Universal Control so you can use a single mouse and keyboard across your Mac and iPad. This release also includes new emoji, dynamic head tracking for Music, and other features and bug fixes for your Mac.
Universal Control (beta)
- Universal Control allows you to use a single mouse and keyboard across iPad and Mac
- Text can be typed on either Mac or iPad and you can drag and drop files between them
Spatial Audio
- Dynamic head tracking is available in Music with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip
- Customizable spatial audio settings for Off, Fixed, and Head Tracked are now in Control Center with supported AirPods on Mac computers with the M1 chip
Emoji
- New emoji including faces, hand gestures, and household objects are available in emoji keyboard
- Handshake emoji allows you to choose separate skin tones for each hand
This release also includes the following enhancements for your Mac:
- Siri now includes an additional voice, expanding the diversity of options
- Podcasts app adds episode filter for seasons, played, unplayed, saved, or downloaded episodes
- Safari webpage translation adds support for Italian and Chinese (Traditional)
- Shortcuts now supports adding, removing, or querying tags with Reminders
- Saved passwords can now include your own notes
- Battery capacity readings have improved accuracy
This release also includes bug fixes for your Mac:
- News widgets in Today View may not open articles when clicked
- Audio may sound distorted while watching video in the Apple TV app
- Some photos and videos may be unintentionally moved when organizing albums in Photos