News: Apple Releases iOS 14.4 Public Beta 2 for Software Testers

Apple released the second public beta for iOS 14.4 today, Wednesday, Jan. 13. The most notable addition to this beta isn't user-facing — baked into 14.4 beta 2's code is evidence that Apple will start issuing warnings on iPhones using unapproved cameras. Of course, those warnings will only apply to phones that have had their cameras replaced.

Apple released the first iOS 14.4 beta on Dec. 16, and the public beta the next day. With the first beta, Apple included additional App Clip experiences, new modem firmwares, a patch for black pixels in HDR videos, and iOS' much-awaited privacy-related feature for apps to request permission to track you across your iPhone.

• Update: Apple's iOS 14.4 Release Candidate Now Available for iPhone

The biggest addition to 14.4 beta 2 is "Device Type," a new feature that allows you to tell iOS whether your Bluetooth device is a "Car Stereo," "Headphone," "Hearing Aid," "Speaker," or "Other." You'll find this option in Settings -> Bluetooth, after tapping on your device.

You'll also receive a prompt when plugging a device into your iPhone via Lightning — iOS will want to know if it's a pair of headphones, even if it's actually your Mac!

Apple released 14.4 public beta 2 (build number 18D5043d) at 1 p.m PST, three hours after the release of dev beta 2.

iOS & iPadOS 14.4 Beta 2 Release Notes

Update your apps to use new features, and test your apps against API changes.

Overview

The iOS & iPadOS 14.4 SDK provides support to develop apps for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices running iOS & iPadOS 14.4 beta 2. The SDK comes bundled with Xcode 12.3, available from the Mac App Store. For information on the compatibility requirements for Xcode 12.3, see Xcode 12.3 Release Notes.

General

There are no new release notes for this beta software update.

How to Download & Install the Latest iOS 14.4 Beta

To update your iPhone to iOS 14.4 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.