RC of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, macOS Big Sur 11.3 Released for Testing
Apple has released the first RC (Release Candidate) build of iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and macOS Big Sur 11.3 to users enrolled in the beta system software testing programs.
RC builds typically indicate the final public version is just around the corner, though there are sometimes multiple RC builds released as well.
Apple announced at their April 20 event that iOS 14.5 would be available to the public next week.
iOS 14.5 RC and iPadOS 14.5 RC feature new Siri voice options that have removed any gender or accent labels, support for Playstation 5 and Xbox X game controllers, support for AirTags, the ability to unlock iPhone using Apple Watch, Maps features like speed traps and road hazard via crowd sourcing, dual SIM support for 5G cellular networks, new privacy options for apps, and numerous other changes. iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 also include new Emoji icons including a woman with a beard, various skin color options for couples Emojis, a syringe, dazed face, coughing face, bandaged heart, and heart on fire.
macOS Big Sur 11.3 RC includes a new system preference panel for Touch Alternatives and Controller Emulation for when using iOS and iPadOS apps and games on an Apple Silicon Mac, support for Playstation 5 and Xbox X game controllers, the ability to print Reminders, the return of the Reminders list view, new customization options for Safari, and a variety of other small changes. New diverse Emoji icons are also included in 11.3.
Any iPhone or iPad user actively enrolled in beta testing programs can download iOS 14.5 RC or iPadOS 14.5 RC from Software Update within the Settings app.
Mac beta testers can download the latest macOS Big Sur 11.3 RC build via Software Update control panel within System Preferences.
Apple has said that iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 will be released next week, and presumably macOS Big Sur 11.3 will be included with that.
Currently, the latest public releases of Apple system software are macOS Big Sur 11.2.3, iPadOS 14.4.2, and iOS 14.4.2.
