How to Use Every New Feature in iOS 14.6

Apple’s iOS 14.6 and iPadOS 14.6 launched this week, adding several new features to iPhones and iPad devices including new voice controls, expanded tracking functions for AirTags, Family Sharing options for Apple card payments, and, of course, tons of bug fixes.

Here’s a round-up of all the new features in iOS/iPadOS 14.6 and how to use them — and don’t forget you can install the software update under Settings > General > Software Update.

Unlock your screen with your voice

Users can unlock their iPhone’s screen with a voice command after restarting the device. The new accessibility feature is available for all users with voice commands enabled. To turn on voice controls:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control.
2. Tap “Set up Voice Control.” iOS will download the necessary files in the background. When it’s done, you’ll see a mic icon on the screen indicating voice controls are turned on.
3. You can also view voice commands and modify or create your own under Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control > Customise Commands.

Apple Card Family Group spending features

An Apple Card can now be shared with up to five other accounts in your Family Sharing group. Users must be 13 years or older to use Apple Card payments. Along with the family sharing option, users can track expenses and set spending limits and other restrictions.

You’ll find all the options in Settings > [username] > Family Sharing.

Note: Apple Card is currently unavailable in the Australian market.

New AirTag tracking functions

Apple’s recently released AirTags have a couple of new features included in iOS/iPadOS 14.6, including:

• Tapping an AirTag with an NFC-capable device (like your iPhone or iPad) shows a partial phone number of the AirTag’s owner.
• “Lost mode” in the Find My app now lets you add an email instead of a phone number.

Other new features in iOS/iPadOS 14.6

• Apple Music Losses Audio prep: Apple Music’s new Lossless Audio quality option won’t hit the app until sometime next month, but iOS 14.6 preemptively adds support for the audio format to all applicable iOS and iPadOS devices.
• Paid content support for Apple Podcasts: Podcasts creators can now add optional paid content and subscriptions for their shows in the Apple Podcast app. This doesn’t affect free content.
• Several security updates and bug fixes.

[iDrop News]