Apple today released a plethora of operating system updates, including iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, tvOS 14.6, watchOS 7.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.4. In general, today’s software updates add new features and not just bug fixes, although some new features will not be available until later.
Those features are spatial audio with Dolby Atmos and the corresponding support for lossless streaming audio formats on Apple Music. These capabilities were announced a week ago, but Apple says they won’t go live until sometime in June. Those audio features are the only new features in tvOS 14.6, so that update isn’t much to write home about.
However, there is a lot more to the other updates. As of watchOS 7.5, users can now subscribe to podcasts in the Podcasts app. And watchOS now supports Apple Card Family, a shared credit card system designed to help couples build credit together while managing their family members’ expenses. watchOS 7.6 also enables EKG and irregular heart rate notifications in two new regions: Malaysia and Peru.
macOS Big Sur 11.4 adds support for podcast subscriptions, but that’s the only new feature in the update. However, there are several bug fixes, including one specifically intended to address an issue with the popular game civilization VI on the 16-inch MacBook Pro.
As usual, the release notes are most comprehensive for iOS and iPadOS. Like watchOS 7.6, iOS and iPadOS 14.6 add support for podcast subscriptions and Apple Card Family. They also add the option to provide an email address instead of a phone number for the AirTag’s lost mode, as well as an accessibility feature that allows users to unlock their iPhones using voice control.
Here are the full release notes for iOS 14.6:
iOS 14.6 supports Apple Card Family and Podcasts subscriptions. This release also includes bug fixes for your iPhone.
For information about the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
Apple Card Family
- Apple Card can be shared with up to five people, including anyone 13 or older in your Family Sharing group
- Apple Card Family adds support for families to track expenses, manage expenses with optional limits and controls, and build credit together
Podcasts
- Subscription support for channels and individual shows
AirTag and Find My
- Lost mode option to add email address instead of phone number for AirTag and Find My Network Accessories
- AirTag shows the owner’s partially masked phone number when tapped with an NFC-enabled device
Accessibility
- Voice Control users can unlock their iPhone for the first time after a reboot using only their voice
This release also fixes the following issues:
- Unlock with Apple Watch may not work after using Lock iPhone on Apple WatchR
- Reminders can be displayed as blank lines
- Call barring extensions may not appear in Settings
- Bluetooth devices can sometimes disconnect or send audio to another device during an active call
- iPhone may experience decreased performance during startup
And for macOS Big Sur 11.4:
macOS Big Sur 11.4 adds subscriptions and channels for Apple Podcasts and contains important bug fixes.
Podcasts
- Apple Podcasts subscriptions are available for purchase through monthly and annual subscriptions
- Channels group collections of programs from podcast creators
This release also fixes the following issues:
- Bookmarks in Safari may be reordered or moved to a folder that may appear hidden
- Certain websites may not display properly after your Mac wakes from sleep
- Keywords may not be included when exporting a photo from the Photos app
- Preview may stop responding when searching PDF documents
- 16-inch MacBook may stop responding while playing Civilization VI
For more detailed information about this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT211896
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
All of these updates should now be available on all supported devices.