Apple rolls out iOS 14.5 update with App Tracking Transparency, AirTag support, Apple Watch unlock and more – check out list of eligible devices

• One of the highlights of the iOS 14.5 update is App Tracking Transparency.
• Social media giant Facebook is worried that this feature could lead to a decline in its ad revenue, and has been blasting Apple for it for a few months now.
• The update also includes AirTag support, Apple Watch unlock and more.

Apple is rolling out the much-anticipated iOS 14.5 update that was announced at its Spring Loaded event on April 20. The headline feature of the iOS 14.5 update is App Tracking Transparency that Facebook is worried about.

Apart from this, Apple has now unveiled the full changelog that details a slew of features, including AirTag support, the ability to unlock your iPhone using your Apple Watch and more.

Here are all the new features in iOS 14.5:

App Tracking Transparency

This feature requires apps to explicitly ask for the user’s permission before tracking their data across apps and websites for ads or sharing your data with data brokers.

After installing the update, you will be presented with a pop-up when an app requests your permission to track you. You can either allow or deny the request with a single tap.

Notably, this feature has caused an uproar from companies like Facebook, which has been blasting Apple for it.

AirTag support

Apple launched AirTag at its April 20 event, allowing you to track items remotely by simply attaching the tracker to them. Once attached, you can track the item using the Find My app on your iPhone.

This update enables the hardware features required to use the tracker. The Find My app has also been updated to include AirTag support.

Apple Watch unlock

Another important addition in iOS 14.5 is the ability to unlock iPhone using Apple Watch, especially when you’re wearing a mask.

This feature requires your Apple Watch to be paired with your iPhone. When you have the Apple Watch on your wrist, you can unlock your iPhone using Face ID while wearing a mask. It works with iPhone X and later, and Apple Watch Series 3 and later.

New emoji

The iOS 14.5 update adds six new emoji characters, including a woman with beard, a face exhaling, heart on fire and more.

Apart from this, the update also includes a range of Siri enhancements – it now has 14 different voices from different regions and genders. It can also announce incoming calls and the name of the caller. If you have a pair of AirPods or compatible Beats headphones, you can answer calls hands-free.

Other features include battery recalibration for iPhone 11 series, sharing lyrics through Apple Music, updated Apple Podcasts and News apps, audio streaming for Fitness+ users and more.


If you have turned on automatic updates, your compatible iPhone or iPod touch will download and install the iOS 14.5 update. You can also manually download it by going into Settings -> General -> Software update.

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