For those of you waiting for the iOS 14.2 update, we have great news! Apple finally released it, and the users will get new features, fixes, as well as more than 100 new emoji. The iOS 14.1 release had some serious flaws, and we can hope that Apple solved them along with the 14.2 version.
iOS 14.2 became available for all iOS 13-compatible devices, meaning the iPhone 6S and newer, as well as the 7th generation iPod touch.
Upgrades
Behold the upgrades for iOS 14.2, as listed by Apple itself:
- Over 100 new emoji, like animals, food, musical instruments, faces, household objects, gender-inclusive emoji, and more
- Support added for iPhone 12 Leather Sleeve with MagSafe
- Optimized battery charging for AirPods for slowing the rate of battery aging
- Headphone audio level notifications now able to alert the user when audio level could impact the hearing
- New AirPlay controls for entertainment throughout the house
- Eight new wallpapers for both light and dark mode
- Intercom support with HomePod and HomePod mini added using iPhone, iPad, CarPlay, Apple Watch, and AirPods
- Ability to connect HomePod to Apple TV 4K when it comes to stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio
- Option to provide statistics regarding Exposure Notifications, without identifying the user, to participating Public Health Authorities
- Magnifier is now able to detect people nearby, and report their distance using the LiDAR sensor from the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max devices
Fixes
The fixes brought by the iOS 14.2 update are also worth mentioning, as the following problems were addressed:
- The keyboard on the Lock Screen misses touches when trying to enter the passcode
- Reminders could default to times from the past
- The Apple Watch app unexpectedly closes
- Workout GPS routes or Health data are prevented from syncing when asked between Apple Watch and iPhones
- Audio is incorrectly labeled as “Not Playing” within the CarPlay Dashboard
- Photos widget doesn’t display content
- Weather widget sometimes displays temperatures in Celsius when set to Fahrenheit
- Next-hour precipitation chart description in Weather is incorrectly indicating when precipitation stops
- Voice Memos recordings get interrupted when someone calls the user
- The screen becomes black during Netflix video playback
- Apple Cash fails to send or receive money via Siri
- Apps becomes out of order on the Home Screen dock
- Camera viewfinder appears black when launched
- Devices are prevented from charging wirelessly
- Exposure Notifications is disabled when transferring data to a new iPhone using iPhone Migration or restoring iPhone from iCloud Backup
Emoji
The following emoji are included in the iOS 14.2 update:
- Musical Instruments: Accordion, Long Drum
- Faces: Smiling Face with Tear, Disguised Face
- People: Ninja, Person in Tuxedo, Woman in Tuxedo, Mx. Claus, People Hugging, Person with Veil, Man with Veil, Woman Feeding Baby, Person Feeding Baby, Man Feeding Baby
- Miscellaneous: Knot, Coin, Boomerang, Ladder, Elevator, Headstone, Placard, Feather, Rock, Wood, Screwdriver, Carpentry Saw, Hook, Hut, Pickup Truck, Roller Skate, Transgender Symbol, Transgender Flag
- Clothing: Thong Sandal, Military Helmet
- Body Parts: Anatomical Heart, Lungs, Pinched fingers
- Animals: Black Cat, Bison, Mammoth, Beetle, Cockroach, Fly, Beaver, Polar Bear, Dodo, Seal, Worm
- Food: Bell Pepper, Flatbread, Fondue, Bubble Tea, Blueberries, Olive, Tamale
- Household: Potted Plant, Teapot, Piñata, Plunger, Mouse Trap, Bucket, Magic Wand, Nesting Dolls, Sewing Needle, Mirror, Window, Toothbrush
Apple’s official security page lists 24 security patches that are bundled with iOS 14.2, and fixes for browser, keyboard and audio issues are included. iOS 14.2 is easily a very stable update, and any Apple user should try it out.
Those willing to get their hands on the iOS 14.2 update will just have to wait for an automatic notification to appear on their devices’ screens. But if patience is not among your qualities, you can also trigger the update manually by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
