iOS 14.6 brings New Tricks
Apple does not slow down when adding new features to the iPhone and iPad through updates for iOS and iPadOS.The latest updates, iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 come just weeks after the release of iOS 14.5. The number of meaningful updates that add new features is something we can get used to, Apple.
Below are the best tips and tricks we found after the initial release of iOS 14 and iPadOS 14. Here’s what we know about Apple’s big WWDC event on June 7th and the latest iPhone 13 rumors.
New Apple card family sharing feature
With the release of iOS 14.6, Apple added the Apple Card Family Sharing. It allows you to share your Apple Card account with anyone in your family sharing group.
Sharing is now only possible if you’re inviting someone who doesn’t have an Apple Card. But Apple has said that the ability to merge Apple Card accounts will be available starting in July. Inviting someone to share your Apple Card account, either as a co-owner who is responsible for both of you making payments (both account holders are good for credit) or as a participant.
To set up the Apple Card family, open the wallet app on your iPhone, select your Apple card and tap on the three-dot menu icon, then share my card. From there, you can select anyone over 13 and your family sharing group.
If you still need it, Face ID now works with a mask
Wearing a face mask during an epidemic keeps you safe. But unlocking iPhone with your Face ID-equipped while in public can be an incredibly frustrating experience. You must reduce the split per second, or wait until it asks for your PIN code. No option is perfect.
When the bottom half of your face is covered, iOS 14.6, the iPhone will look for your associated Apple Watch to unlock itself. If your watch is close by, your iPhone will unlock — in most cases, just as quickly as it does when using Face ID. Pretty cool, right?
Siri Updated! You can choose from four new Siri voices.
Siri’s voice will no longer default to a female voice for the first time. In reality, Apple has introduced two entirely new voices to the mix, as well as minor tweaks to the existing ones.
When setting up a new device, English speakers have a total of four voices to pick from. If you want to change Siri’s voice, you can do so at any time by going to the Settings app. Full instructions can be found here. Once you’ve selected a new sound for Siri, be sure to come back and comment with your favorite. I went with voice 3.
New home screen features
Now the iPhone has an app drawer-like feature called the App Library. The app library acts as a repository to store all the apps you don’t use regularly. You can access the application library by scrolling past your current home screens and moving your screen from right to left.
Another first feature for the iPhone is the ability to place widgets on the home screen. Apple has given developers the tools to create a new style widget that guarantees that your Android friends will be jealous.
Stop apps from tracking you
One of the most controversial aspects of iOS 14.6 is the request for apps to monitor you across your Apple devices. If you reject the request or block the application from contacting you completely, the developer should respect your decision.
If an app gets caught tracking you without permission, it can be removed from the App Store. To test the new feature, go to Settings> Privacy> Tracking on your iPhone or iPad.
Create a smart stack widget to your liking
Speaking of widgets, you are not locked in to use Apple’s curated Smart Stack Widget. You can create your own widget stack using the same technique you use to create an application folder. Seriously, it takes longer to decide which widget to include than to create it.
Custom application icons? Proceed…
Apple has added new features to its shortcut app and the most popular addition is the ability to create your own app icons and fully customize the look of your phone. So instead of the Apple Mail app icon, you can download an icon instead of the cute cat or Gmail icon and use it to launch the app.
App clips are small apps that you do not install
Think of app clips as small apps, it only shows part of what you can do with the whole app. For example, the Yelp app clip shows you a menu for business hours and a specific restaurant, and nothing more.
Want to try this? Open the Apple Maps app on your iPhone, search for Panera bread, tap a place, and select food to order. Pretty cool, right? After using an application clip, you can re-access the application library in the recently added folder.