iOS 14.4 RC now available to developers, here are the full release notes

The Release Candidate version of iOS 14.4 is now available to developers. Apple has also published the full release notes for the update, including new details on improvements to the Camera app, bug fixes, and much more.

As a reminder, Apple has moved away from the previously-used golden master naming for near-final beta releases. Instead, going forward, the company will use the term “Release Candidate,” or RC, to reference a near-final beta release.

Apple says that iOS 14.4 includes support for recognizing smaller QR codes in the Camera app, as well as the option to classify Bluetooth device types in Settings. Notably, the update also adds new notifications for when your iPhone can’t verify if you’re using a “genuine Apple camera.”

iOS 14.4 also includes a handful of bug fixes related to HDR photography, the Messages app, and more. There is a fix for keyboard lag, which is an issue that has been plaguing many iPhone users since iOS 14 was first released.

iOS 14.4 includes the following improvements for your iPhone:

• Smaller QR codes can be recognized by Camera
• Option to classify Bluetooth device type in Settings for correct identification of headphones for audio notifications
• Notifications for when the camera on your iPhone is unable to be verified as a new, genuine Apple camera in iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max

This release also fixes the following issues:

• Image artifacts could appear in HDR photos taken with iPhone 12 Pro
• Fitness widget may not display updated Activity data
• Typing may be delayed and word suggestions may not appear in the keyboard
• The keyboard may not come up in the correct language in Messages
• Audio stories from the News app in CarPlay may not resume after being paused for spoken directions or Siri
• Enabling Switch Control in Accessibility may prevent phone calls from being answered from the Lock Screen

The iOS 14.4 release notes do not make mention of a new Handoff experience for HomePod mini users, but this could be due to the fact that an update is not yet available for the HomePod mini itself.

iOS 14.4 RC is available to developers and public beta users via an over-the-air update in the Settings app. As usual, if the update does not immediately appear for download, keep checking as it sometimes takes a few minutes to roll out to all registered developers. 

Now that Apple has released iOS 14.4 RC, we expect a release to the general public as early as next week.