Beta 5 of iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, macOS Monterey 12.3 Available for Testing

Apple has released the fifth beta versions of macOS Monterey 12.3, iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, watchOS 8.5, and tvOS 15.4 to users enrolled in the beta testing programs for device system software.

The new beta versions continue to refine the beta experience, and are available now to download for developers and public beta users.

iOS 15.4 beta includes support for using Face ID with a mask, iCloud Keychain notes, new Emoji icons, a stalking warning for AirTags setup, a gender neutral Siri voice option, an Apple Card widget, support for COVID EU digital vaccination passes, and support for contactless payments with Tap-to-Pay which allow an iPhone to accept payments directly. iPadOS 15.4 beta also includes support Face ID with a mask, the gender neutral Siri voice option, new Emoji icons, iCloud Keychain notes, and the Apple Card widget, along with support for Universal Control.

macOS Monterey 12.3 includes support for Universal Control, the feature that allows a single keyboard and mouse to control multiple Macs and iPads by moving a cursor across screens. MacOS Monterey 12.3 also removes Python 2, and includes new Emoji icons.

Interested Mac and iPad beta testers can get Universal Control now by using the beta versions on their eligible devices.

The new Emoji icons included in the betas include a salute, melting face, troll, pregnant man, disco ball, low battery icon, biting lip, bubbles, face with tears, hands forming a heart, empty jar, empty nest, x-ray, coral, beans, and more.

Users actively enrolled in the beta testing programs are able to find the beta 5 build available now through the respective software update mechanisms.

For iOS and iPadOS beta users, that would be in Settings > General > Software Update.

For macOS beta users, that would be from  Apple menu > System Preferences > Software Update.

tvOS and watchOS beta testers can download the latest betas through those devices software update mechanisms as well.

Apple usually runs through multiple beta builds before releasing a final version to the broad public, and with beta 5 here it would be a reasonable assumption to think the final releases of macOS Monterey 12.3, iOS 15.4, iPadOS 15.4, watchOS 8.5, and tvOS 15.4 would be available soon. There have been rumors of an upcoming Apple Event falling on the week of March 8, but thus far no invitations have been sent out by Apple.

The most recently available stable versions of system software currently are iOS 15.3.1 for iPhone, iPadOS 15.3.1 for iPad, and macOS Monterey 12.2.1 for Mac.