Apple’s iOS 13.5 update made your iPhone jump to the secondary authentication method more quickly when you’re trying to use the face ID while wearing a face mask, but it’s still an arduous process that you have to go through each time you want to unlock the iPhone. IOS 14.5 corrects this by adding a new automatic unlock option for those who also own an Apple Watch; I accept, and this is too good a feature to wait for.
I say “wait” because iOS 14.5 is not yet technically available to the public. Apple is testing the update as part of a developer beta – that wonderful phrase that suggests that you will have a potentially problematic experience if you choose to put it on the iPhone now. I will and will come back about it; I love being able to access the latest features, but having a slow or demanding iPhone – especially if it’s my primary device – isn’t the best experience.
Still, in these pandemic times, having to tap-tap-tap my iPhone, after getting used to the wonderful convenience of Face ID, is also not much fun. So much so that I think I’ll go ahead and install iOS 14.5 beta. What is the worst that could happen?
If you want to join me, see how you can enter this beta version normally for developers. To start, 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 the normal operating system if the beta has too many bugs for your taste.
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Then open Safari on your iPhone and browse to Beta Profiles. Tap “Download” in the iOS 14.5 beta box and don’t be stopped by the warning screen:
When prompted by your iPhone to download a configuration profile to your device, tap “To allow.” Once this is done, close Safari and open your Definitions app. Touch General> Profile, where you will find the profile you just downloaded. Touch it and then touch Install at the top right corner. Eventually, you will be asked to restart your iPhone as part of the installation process. Do it.
Once your iPhone boots up again, tap Definitions again and then General> Software update. You should now be able to download the iOS 14.5 Developer Beta (if you haven’t started the download yet).
Once this is done, you will find the new Apple Watch unlock feature at Settings> facial ID and password. However, you Besides that need to repeat these same steps to install the beta developer for 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).
Ddo not assume that this useful feature will work whenever you use your iPhone while using your Apple Watch. The feature, designed for pandemic cases, requires your iPhone to detect that you are wearing a face mask. If this happens, and you are also using your Apple Watch (password enabled and unlocked), your iPhone will automatically unlock. If you are not wearing a mask, you will have to unlock your iPhone the old way.