Juli Clover, MacRumors:

Apple today seeded the first betas of upcoming iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 updates, and while the new software serves as a deadline for when app developers must comply with App Tracking Transparency rules, there are also a handful of other changes worth noting.

Follow the headline link for a detailed list of new features.

The most significant of these new features, to me, was the ability to use your Apple Watch to unlock your iPhone when Face ID is stymied by your mask.

I generally don’t install a first beta on my daily carry iPhone, but this feature pushed me to make an exception. I did the install and I have to say, this beta (at least so far) is rock solid.

If you do install the beta and want to enable Apple Watch unlock:

• first you’ll need to install the watchOS 7.4 beta on your Apple Watch (also rock solid for me)
• go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode
• Scroll down to the new UNLOCK WITH APPLE WATCH section
• Tap the Apple Watch switch
• Make sure WiFi is enabled on your iPhone (no need to be connected to a network)

I threw on a mask and put this through it’s paces. It works really well. Kudos to the engineering team. Well done.