The new version introduces the exposure notification API, group Face ID and FaceTime changes and more.
Apple has officially released iOS 13.5 and iPadOS 13.5, major updates that arrive more than a month after the launch of iOS and iPadOS 13.4.1. iOS 13.5 is an important health-related update that brings many features related to the ongoing health crisis.
IOS and iPadOS 13.5 updates are available on all eligible devices via OTA in the Settings app. To access updates, just go to Settings> General> Software update . Apple has also released iOS 12.4.7 for older devices, with the update bringing security fixes.
The iOS 13.5 update introduces the exposure notification API created by Apple and Google , designed to allow public health authorities to create COVID-19 contact tracking apps in order to slow the spread of the virus.
Exposure notification is a Bluetooth-based API that will be incorporated into apps created by public health authorities in each country. It doesn’t work without an accompanying app installed , but Apple has added exposure registration details in the Privacy section of the Settings app.
iOS 13.5 lays the foundation for exposure notifications, and now that the update has been released to the public, health apps from governments and health authorities can be released. So far, over 22 countries have registered to participate and apps that use the API are expected to arrive in the near future.
In addition to laying the foundation for the exposure notification API and accompanying apps, iOS 13.5 makes it easier to unlock an iPhone with Face ID when wearing a mask.
With the update, the passcode interface opens more quickly when an iPhone detects that a user is wearing a face mask, so it is faster to unlock the device through the passcode than before.
There is a change to group FaceTime , with Apple introducing a new switch to disable the feature that automatically maximizes the panel of the person who is speaking.
An “ Automatic Prominence ” section in the FaceTime part of the Settings app allows you to disable it, displaying all the people who use FaceTime in a grid with windows of equal size regardless of who is speaking.
Apple in iOS 13.5 is adding a new feature for automatic sharing of medical record information with emergency operators when making emergency calls. You can activate this feature, along with an option to share information on the lock screen when an iPhone is locked.
The new version introduces a new Apple Music feature that allows you to share songs on Instagram Stories. Tapping the Share button on a song in Apple Music creates a story with title, album title and animated background.
iOS 13.5 also fixes two security vulnerabilities affecting the Mail app on iPhone and iPad. One vulnerability allowed an attacker to remotely infect an iOS device by sending emails that consume a significant amount of memory, while another allowed remote code execution.
The update fixes a bug that could cause iPhone to crash when a specific text string was shared in Sinde language. It could also fix an issue with the Personal Hotspot that prevents it from working for some people and it could also fix a VPN-related vulnerability, both bugs that Apple has promised to fix in upcoming iOS updates.
Here are the full release notes for the update:
iOS 13.5 accelerates access to the passcode field on Face ID devices when you wear a face mask and introduces the exposure notification API to support COVID-19 contact tracking apps from public health authorities. This update also introduces an option to control the automatic prominence of video panes on group FaceTime calls and includes bug fixes and other improvements.
Face ID and passcode
- Simplified unlocking process for devices with Face ID when wearing a face mask
- The Passcode field appears automatically after you swipe up from the bottom of the lock screen when wearing a mask
- It also works when authenticating with the App Store, Apple Books, Apple Pay, iTunes and other apps that support Face ID login
Exposure notification
- Exposure Notification API to support public health authorities COVID-19 contact tracking apps
FaceTime
- Option to control automatic prominence of group FaceTime calls so that video frames don’t change size when a participant speaks
Emergency services
- Option to automatically share health and other essential information from your medical record with emergency services when making an emergency call (U.S. only)
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements:
- Addresses an issue where users may see a black screen when trying to stream video from some websites
- Addresses an issue in the sharing sheet where suggestions and actions may not be loaded
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