Release: iOS 13.5 & iPadOS 13.5

Apple has released the sixth major update for iOS & iPadOS 13 this morning and is available for all compatible devices as an over-the-air update or via finder or iTunes. A security fixes update (iOS 12.4.7) has also been released for all non-compatible iPhone, iPod and iPad models.

Compatible models & how to download

• iPhone ~ SE/2, 6s, 7/s, 8, X/s, Xr, 11 [355MB – 420MB download]

• iPod Touch ~ 7th generation

• iPad ~ Mini 4/5, Air 2/3, iPad 5/6/7, Pro (all models and sizes) [330MB download]
  

• Over-the-air [requires Wi-Fi connection] (settings > general > software update)

• macOS Catalina 10.15 (finder > device > check for update)

• Windows & macOS Mojave 10.14 and lower (iTunes > device > check for update)

iOS 13.5 & iPadOS 13.5 Changes

Face ID (compatible devices)

Simplified unlocked process for Face ID when a mask is being worn;

Swipe up from the bottom of the lock screen to trigger passcode when wearing a mask;

Supports login and any application that requires Face ID (e.g. Apple Pay, App Store, etc.).

Apple has added face mask detection to Face ID. If the device recognises a user is wearing a face mask, the passcode interface will be displayed faster. Alternatively, you can now swipe up from the bottom of the display on the Face ID interface to trigger the passcode interface. All Face ID integrated services – such as 'Sign in with Apple', 'Apple Pay', 'iTunes', and 'App Store' – have been updated to reflect these changes.

COVID-19 Exposure Notification API (iOS only)

Supports COVID-19 contact tracing apps from public health authorities.

Developed co-operatively by Apple & Google, with close guidance from public health officials in the U.S., the API will regularly send out a beacon via Bluetooth that includes a random Bluetooth identifier if it is connected to a public health authority app. The API will download a list of keys from the beacons and will cross-check against a list if you have come in contact with a person confirmed to have COVID-19. If there is a match you may be notified of the next steps. All keys are temporary and randomly generated with Bluetooth metadata being encrypted, making it extremely difficult for the devices' owner to be identified. As the framework is a behind-the-scenes API, it integrates into already downloaded public health authority apps with the ability to turn the logging off via settings. The Federal Government has confirmed they are evaluating the API to determine whether it will be integrated into the COVIDSafe app, which has had over six-million downloads. The API will give control to the Australian Government to determine was constitutes an 'exposure event', identify the number of exposure events a person has had, and can contact exposed users based.

Group FaceTime

New "Automatic Prominence" setting (settings > FaceTime);

Toggle automatic larger tile size on and off when someone is speaking in Group FaceTime.

Emergency Services (iOS & U.S. Only)

Automatically share health and other information from your Medical ID

* This feature is only available in the United States so won't be covered as it is not relevant. If it becomes available in Australia the article will be updated accordingly.

Apple Music

Users can now share songs, albums, and playlists to Facebook and Instagram Stories

(Music > listen to song/album/playlist > ••• in mini-player > share > Instagram/Facebook)

Bug Fixes

Fixed black screen issue when trying to play videos from some websites

Fixed issue in "share" where suggestions and actions may not load

Fixed Mail vulnerability that allowed an attacker to remotely infect the device by sending emails

Fixed Mail vulnerability that allowed remote code executions