iPadOS 14.5 arrived with beta testers at the beginning of February 2021 and now we know a little more about the new features coming in the next update to Apple’s iPad software.
Apple has also released a new beta for the iPhone. iOS 14.5 is similar to the iPad software. There is also a new beta for tvOS 14.5 and watchOS 7.4. And macOS 11.3 is also in beta.
New features in iPadOS 14.5
Apple will add the search function for emojis that is already available in both macOS and iOS. This is great news if you are fed up of having to scroll through thousands of symbols to find the one you want to use.
Another change is the fact that the Apple logo will be turned in the right direction when you start up your iPad in landscape mode and have a Magic Keyboard or Smart Keyboard connected. Previously, the logo was always displayed in portrait mode.
New features shared with iOS 14.5
Support for PS5 and XBox controllers – the update adds support for Sony and Microsoft latest controllers. Both the Playstation 5 Dualsense controller and the Xbox Series X controller will be able to be used with the iPhone, iPad and Mac following the OS updates.
Unlock iPhone wearing a mask – one of the most anticipated new features coming in iOS 14.5 is the ability to unlock an iPhone using an Apple Watch. This is a way around the issue of not being able to use Face ID to unlock an iPhone when wearing a mask. We don’t know if a version of this feature will come to the iPad but we suspect it won’t.
Privacy features – Prior to the arrival of the beta Apple had already indicated that the 14.5 release would focus on privacy. Apple has said that it’s going to change the rules relating to how developers and advertisers can track user. The tougher rules have not gone down well with companies that make a living from tracking for advertising purposes, such as Facebook.
Shared Apple Card – Another new feature that appears to be coming to iOS 14.5 will allow multiple people to use the same Apple Card account, probably via Apple’s Family Sharing feature.
Earlier in January Apple updated iPadOS 14 to iPadOS 14.4. Read about the new features: New software for HomePod, Apple Watch, Apple TV and iPad.
Author: Karen Haslam, Editor
Macworld editor since 2008, Karen has worked on both sides of the Apple divide, clocking up a number of years at Apple's PR agency prior to joining Macworld two decades ago.
Karen's career highlights include interviewing Apple's Steve Wozniak and discussing Steve Jobs’ legacy on the BBC. Her focus is Mac, but she lives and breathes Apple.