Apple has just deployed the first beta of iOS 15.4, reserved for the moment only to developers. The next version of the iPhone operating system promises to be rich in new features, some of which will be of great service to users. Among these, two particularly caught our attention.
Face ID will work with a mask and without Apple Watch
The first concerns Face ID. After two years of pandemic, Apple has finally decided to offer Face ID the improvement that we no longer expected. In iOS 15.4, the iPhone’s facial recognition system is able to authenticate you without you having to lower your mask, and without having to own an Apple Watch. When the device restarts after installing iOS 15.4, the iPhone displays a setup screen asking if you want to use Face ID with or without a mask.
While noting that its facial recognition authentication system is more accurate without a mask, Apple says the iPhone is able to recognize unique features around the eye area to authenticate you. If you decide to activate this option, you will have to go through a Face ID configuration step so that it analyzes the area around your eyes.
This step can be done later. Apple has indeed integrated the option into the Face ID and Passcode menu of iOS Settings. In addition, the Cupertino company has added another option to add glasses to the configuration of Face ID with a mask. However, don’t count on unlocking your iPhone with a mask and sunglasses, the option is only for glasses for reading.
Configurable personal domain email addresses from iPhone
Other good news: iOS 15.4 will allow you to configure the email addresses of your personal domains directly from your iPhone. If you use iCloud with a paid subscription (iCloud+), you will be able to send and receive messages with your personalized addresses in iCloud Mail.
Adding a custom email domain in iCloud Mail was already possible, but getting there so far required logging into the icloud.com web interface.
The first beta of iOS 15.4 is currently reserved for developers only, but should arrive in public beta very soon.