Beta 2 of iOS 14.5 & iPadOS 14.5 Released for Testing

Apple has issued the second beta versions of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, watchOS 7.4, and tvOS 14.5 to users who are involved in the respective beta testing programs.

iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 beta include new Emoji icons like a coughing emoji, a heart on fire, a bandaged heart, a woman with a beard, a vaccine, a variety of new skin shades for couples, amongst others.

Aside from Emoji, betas of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 also include some handy new features like an ability unlock an iPhone using Apple Watch, support for PS5 and Xbox Series X controllers, some new privacy focused features aimed at getting user consent for tracking, 5G dual-sim support for iPhone 12, and of course various bug fixes and other enhancements.

Betas are a work in progress, so it’s important to remember beta tested emojis and features may not make it to the final versions, or may change along the beta testing period.

If you’re actively enrolled in the beta testing programs you can download iOS 14.5 beta 2 or ipadOS 14.5 beta 2 from the Software Update mechanism of the Settings app.

iPhone and iPad users who are enrolled in the beta testing programs for iOS and iPadOS can download the iOS 14.5 beta 1 and ipadOS 14.5 beta 1 update from the Software Update mechanism on their devices.

If you’re participating in the watchOS 7.4 beta and tvOS 14.5 beta programs those can also be downloaded from those devices software update functions.

Multiple beta builds are typically issued and worked on before releasing final versions to the general public, which can offer a suggestion as to when a final release of system software will become available to everyone. Being on the second beta, it’s reasonable to expect the final version of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5

The most recent stable builds of system software for Apple devices are currently iOS 14.4 and iPadOS 14.4 for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, macOS Big Sur 11.2.1 for Mac, tvOS 14.4 for Apple TV, and watchOS 7.3 for Apple Watch.