Apple’s update for iOS 13.5 made your iPhone jump to the secondary authentication method faster when you try to use Face ID while wearing a face mask, but it’s still an arduous process that you have to do every once you want to unlock your iPhone. iOS 14.5 fixes this by adding a new auto-unlock option for those who also own an Apple Watch; Yes, and this is too good a feature to expect.
I say “wait” because iOS 14.5 is not yet technically available to the public. Apple is testing the update as part of a beta for developers – this wonderful phrase that suggests you can enjoy a potentially wrong experience if you choose to slap your iPhone right now. I go on and on about this; I love being able to access the latest features, but having a slow or otherwise complicated iPhone (especially if it’s my main device) isn’t the best experience.
However, in these times of pandemic, it is necessary to do so touch-touch-touch my iPhone after getting used to the wonderful convenience of Face ID is not much fun either. So much so, that I think I will go ahead and install iOS 14.5 beta. What’s the worst that can happen?
If you want to join me, here’s how you can access this developer beta normally. To get started, back up your iPhone, whether you’re sending it to iCloud (via Settings> your Apple ID> iCloud> iCloud Backup) or by connecting your iPhone to a computer and performing a manual backup. This is important, as you will want to be able to return to your normal operating system if the beta version is too wrong for your liking.
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Then open Safari on your iPhone and go to Beta profiles. Tap “Download” in the iOS 14.5 beta box and don’t let the warning screen show you:
When your iPhone asks you to download a configuration profile to your device, tap “Allow.” Once done, close Safari and open the file Configuration application Tap General> Profile, where you will find the profile you just downloaded. Tap it, then tap it Install at the top right. Finally, you will be prompted to restart your iPhone as part of the installation process. Do this.
Once you’ve booted your iPhone, tap it Configuration again, and then General> Software Update. You should now be able to download the beta for iOS 14.5 developers (if you haven’t started downloading it yet).
Once done, you’ll find the new Apple Watch unlock feature Settings> Face ID and Password. However, you will too you must repeat these same steps to install the beta developer watchOS 7.4 (updating your Apple Watch as you normally would at the end, instead of going to the Software Update section of your iPhone).
Dwe do not assume this useful function will work every time you use your iPhone while wearing the Apple Watch. The feature, designed for a pandemic life, requires your iPhone to detect that you are wearing a face mask. If you do, and you also bring your Apple Watch (with password and unlocked), your iPhone will be unlocked automatically. If you are not wearing a mask, you will need to unlock your iPhone the old-fashioned way.