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Apple Just Released iOS 13.5 Public Beta 2 for iPhone, Includes COVID-19 Exposure Notification API

Apr 29, 2020 08:01 PM

Apr 30, 2020 01:59 PM

Error message on a smartphone display indicating "Your software is up to date."

If you're a public beta tester, you woke up this morning with your iPhone running iOS 13.4.5. Today, Apple released the second beta for iOS 13.5. No, Apple didn't skip a version — 13.5 public beta 2 is essentially 13.4.5 public beta 2. So why the name change? Apple included the first API for its joint COVID-19 contact-tracing and exposure notification program with Google.

This latest update comes at 1 p.m. PDT on Wednesday, April 29, 13 days after Apple released the first public beta for 13.4.5. As per usual, this update comes three hours after the release of 13.5 developer beta 3, which was our first look into this confusing naming scheme Apple decided with.

With this update, Apple has taken the first steps to making contact-tracing a practical function between iPhones and Android devices. You'll see this in the form of "exposure notifications," which is now an option under Settings –> Privacy –> Health –> COVID-19 Exposure Notifications. These notifications are enabled by default, but can be disabled at any time.

iPhone privacy settings menu displaying app permissions and features.

Health app settings on an iPhone with options for headphone audio levels and notifications.

COVID-19 exposure notification settings on a mobile device.

You'll also find a tweak that makes it faster to enter your passcode after a failed Face ID scan. That should come in handy when using your iPhone when wearing a mask, as masks can make using Face ID near impossible. Now, instead of waiting for iOS to bring up the passcode screen, the screen immediately appears after a failed Face ID scan.

If you have been taking more Group FaceTime calls as of late, you'll know the app zooms in on the profiles of those who are speaking, minimizing those who aren't. This latest update allows you to disable this feature in Settings –> FaceTime –> Automatic Prominence. Just tap the toggle next to "Speaking," and poof, no more zooming.

iOS & iPadOS 13.5 Beta 3 Release Notes
Overview
The iOS & iPadOS 13.5 SDK provides support to develop apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS & iPadOS 13.5. The SDK comes bundled with Xcode 11.4, available from the Mac App Store. For information on the compatibility requirements for Xcode 11.4, see Xcode 11.4 Release Notes.
Music - New Features
A new option is available to share songs, albums, and playlists to Facebook and Instagram Stories. (60895397)

To download and install iOS 13.5 public beta 2, sign up through Apple's beta site, download and install the configuration profile, then update over the air. If you already have the profile, go to Settings –> General –> Software Update to begin the installation of the latest beta build, or you can wait until it installs automatically if "Automatic Updates" is enabled.

Software update screen for iOS 15.6 Double Beta 2 on an Apple device.

Enter passcode screen with empty input fields.

Cover image and screenshots by Jake Peterson/Gadget Hacks

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