5 Things to Know About the iOS 14.2 Update is a post by Adam Mills from Gotta Be Mobile.
Apple’s confirmed an iOS 14.2 update for iPhone and the software is currently in beta testing ahead of a release later this year.
Like iOS 14.1, iOS 14.2 is a milestone release (x.x) which means it will bring new features, security enhancements, and fixes for bugs impacting the current version of iOS 14.
We don’t have an official iOS 14.2 release date yet, but iPhone users who don’t want to wait for the official rollout can try the firmware out right now via Apple’s beta programs.
With iOS 14.2 on the way, we want to take you through everything there is to know about Apple’s next big update for iOS 14 users.
In this guide to 14.2 we’ll take you through the update’s known changes, what you can expect from the iOS 14.2 release date and release time, key information about the iOS 14.2 beta, and more.
iOS 14.2 Beta
If you don’t want to wait for the official version of iOS 14.2 to arrive, you don’t have to.
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The iOS 14.2 beta is available to those Apple’s developer program and those enrolled in the Beta Software Program.
While a developer account requires you to pay Apple money, the company’s Beta Software Program is free to anyone with a compatible device and working Apple ID. Most people should install the public iOS 14.2 beta.
Before you download the iOS 14.2 beta onto your phone remember that pre-release software is almost always plagued with bugs and performance issues. These issues could impact the performance of your core apps, your device’s battery life, and its overall speed which makes it a less than ideal daily driver.
You should be able to fix some of these problems on your own, but some bugs and performance issues will probably require a fix from Apple down the road.
If you can’t stand the beta’s performance on your iPhone you can downgrade back to iOS 14.1 or iOS 14.0.1. The downgrade path back to other versions of iOS is closed.
Apple is currently on iOS 14.2 beta 4.
iOS 14.2 Release Date
Apple hasn’t confirmed an official iOS 14.2 release date. And with the company on its fourth beta, iOS 14.2 will likely stay in testing for a few more weeks so that Apple can work out the remaining kinks.
We’ll most likely see a release sometime in November, possibly alongside the iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12 Pro Max. These models arrive on November 13th so we could see iOS 14.2 arrive shortly before they hit shelves.
We’ll let you know when we learn more.
iOS 14.2 Release Time
We don’t have an official iOS 14.2 release date yet, but we know exactly when Apple will roll the software out on whatever day it chooses.
The official version of iOS 14.2 will probably arrive in and around 10AM Pacific. It sometimes takes a few minutes for iOS updates to show up so there’s no need to worry if you don’t see new software right when the clock strikes 10AM.
Apple will also release iOS 14.2 beta updates for developers and those in the Beta Software Program in and around 10AM Pacific. The company typically releases new beta updates every 1-2 weeks.
Keep this timeline in mind if you plan to install the official version of iOS 14.2, or new iOS 14.2 betas, right away.
iOS 14.2 Update: What’s New
Apple’s x.x updates always bring a mix of features, security patches, and under-the-hood improvements and that’s exactly what you can expect from iOS 14.2.
Developers digging through the beta have discovered a new Music Recognition control for Control Center. The feature will let iOS 14.2 users discover music around them.
iOS 14.2 is set to bring new emojis to the iPhone’s keyboard. The list includes ninja, smiling face with tear, disguised face, lungs, beaver, dodo, and a whole lot more.
In addition to those changes, here are the other known changes on board iOS 14.2:
- New “People Detection” feature in Magnifier in Control Center that uses AR (Augmented Reality) to show you the distance between yourself and other people.
- Revamped media controls in Control Center where you’ll see content suggestions if nothing is being played. Apple’s also made some slight changes to the look of the Home app.
- If you touch the AirPlay button while inside of an application, you’ll now see a popup menu instead of it taking over the entire screen.
- The Apple Watch icon has also been updated to reflect the new Solo Loop band that was released alongside the company’s new Watches.
- A new function for Apple Card users. The software includes a new yearly spending history option for the Apple Card.
Apple’s also confirmed plans to enable 5G in dual SIM mode on the iPhone 12 series in a software update later on this year. It didn’t call the software update out by name, but there’s a chance its on board iOS 14.2.
Apple could add, or subtract, from the iOS 14.2 change log as the beta progresses so keep an eye out for changes as the software makes progress behind the scenes.
iOS 14 Jailbreak
If you still jailbreak, make sure you avoid the iOS 14.2 beta. The only way you can jailbreak a device right now is if it’s running iOS 14.0, iOS 13, or iOS 12.
We don’t expect developers to release a tool that’s compatible with the iOS 14.2 beta and it’s unclear if we’ll see a public release for iOS 14.2, iOS 14.1, or iOS 14.0.1.
For more on the iOS 14 jailbreak, take a look at our guide.
