iOS 15: New features, compatibility, release date

Update: Apple reached out and pointed out a support page from September 2021 saying the company intended to offer “important security updates” for iOS and iPadOS 14 users for “a period of time.”

Last week, 9to5Mac reported that Apple wasn’t letting users stay on iOS 14 with security updates as it had removed the ability to update to iOS 14.8.1. Now, the company confirmed its efforts to make the iPhone userbase update to iOS 15 instead.

Even before the iOS 15 announcement, 9to5Mac found out that Apple was working on a new way to deliver alternate security updates to iPhone and iPad users. The company later confirmed that it would offer security patches for iOS 14 to users who weren’t ready to upgrade to iOS 15, but it seems that this is no longer the case.

For the first time since iOS 15 was released to the public last September, Apple has updated the official installation and adoption numbers via its Developer website. According to Apple, iOS 15 is currently installed on 72% of iPhones released in the last four years. This is lower than previous iOS updates, but there are multiple factors to keep in mind…

After a short hiatus due to the holidays, Apple is restarting its beta testing process yet again. iOS 15.3 beta 2 is now rolling out to registered developers, just over three weeks after the release of the first beta. Apple is also rolling out new betas of watchOS 8.4, tvOS 15.3, and more.

Update: The latest betas of iOS 15.3, watchOS 8.4, tvOS 15.3, and iPadOS 15.3 are now rolling out to public beta testers as well.

Almost one month after rolling out iOS 15.2 to the public, Apple has a new bug fix update for iPhone users today. The company is now rolling out iOS 15.2.1 to the general public. Apple says today’s update to iOS 15.2.1 includes fixes for CarPlay as well as sharing photos via Messages.

Apple brings some advanced features to iCloud with iOS 15, including iCloud Private Relay, the ability to use more cameras with HomeKit Secure Video, and total control to keep your email private. Let’s look at the latter — here’s how to use Hide My Email with iPhone and iPad now that it’s officially launched with iOS 15.2.

Apple on Thursday released the first beta of macOS Monterey 12.2 to developers, which comes with a new Music app and other improvements. Although the company hadn’t released any new betas for its other operating systems back then, an iOS 15.3 beta build has leaked through the Apple Developer website.

Apple has officially released iOS 15.2 to the general public. This update comes five weeks after Apple introduced iOS 15.1, which finally brought SharePlay as well as other delayed features. Here’s everything new with iOS 15.2 that should make you update your iPhone now.

Apple is releasing today iOS 15.2, iPadOS 15.2, watchOS 8.3, tvOS 15.2, and HomePod Software version 15.2 to all users. This update brings support to Apple Music Voice Plan and more.

After over a month of beta testing, Apple has made the iOS 15.2 Release Candidate available to developers. Head below for the full release notes on everything new in this update, which will be released to the public as soon as next week.

Update: Now available to public beta testers as well.

Update: Now rolling out to public beta testers as well.

After a brief hiatus, the beta train is back in business today. Apple is now rolling out iOS 15.2 beta 4 to registered developers, bringing new features and continued refinements. Today’s update to beta 4 comes just over two weeks after the release of beta 3 to developers and public beta users. Head below for the details. 

Apple on Tuesday stopped signing iOS 15.1, which means that users who updated their devices to iOS 15.1.1 or iOS 15.2 beta can no longer downgrade to iOS 15.1. This comes a month after the company stopped signing the iOS 15.0.2 firmware.

A growing number of iPhone users running iOS 15.1 are reporting connectivity issues with Bluetooth hands-free systems in cars. A thread on the Apple Support forums includes complaints from a number of iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 users, as well as a few potential fixes— none of which appear to be permanent.

Apple previewed its new cycle of operating systems in June during the WWDC21 keynote. With iOS 15, iPadOS 15, watchOS 8, macOS Monterey, and tvOS 15, the company promised tons of new features.

Now that all these systems are available to the public, there are some features that are still a ways away from launching. Here are they.

Apple is delaying support for storing ID cards in the Wallet app until 2022. The company announced this feature at WWDC in June, initially promising that it would be released in “late 2021.” As some of us suspected might occur, this release date has now been pushed to 2022.

Update: Now available to public beta testers as well.

iOS 15.2 beta 3 is now available to developers, and the update continues to bring new refinements and features to iPhone users. Today’s new release includes more tweaks to the Macro feature on iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, new promotions for Apple Arcade, and more.

All aboard the beta train. Apple is now rolling out iOS 15.2 beta 3 to registered developers, bringing new features and continued refinements. Today’s update to beta 3 comes just one week after the release of beta 2 to developers and public beta users. Head below for the details.

Apple released the second developer beta for iOS 15.2 yesterday, and it contains several noteworthy enhancements. New is support for Hide My Email directly inside the default Mail app, along with the return of Legacy Contacts, which first appeared in the initial iOS 15 beta released at WWDC. Watch our hands-on video as we discuss the top iOS 15.2 beta 2 changes and features, and be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more hands-on walkthroughs.

Update: iOS 15.2 beta 2 is now rolling out to public beta testers as well.

Apple continues to make changes to iOS 15.2 with this week’s release of the second beta. The update includes new child safety features in the Messages application, tweaks to the TV application, and more. Head below for our full roundup of the new features in iOS 15.2 beta 2.