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Release record

iOS 14.5

Full article
Public release
Recorded milestones
12
Beta cycle
84d
Average interval
8d
Public release
Apr 26, 2021

Release notes

Overview

Editorial synthesis with inline references and a source ledger when citations are available.

iOS 14.5 let Face ID iPhones unlock through a nearby authenticated Apple Watch while the wearer used a face mask, introduced AirTag and Precision Finding, expanded Siri voices and hands-free calling, and added more representative emoji choices.[1][2]

App Tracking Transparency required permission before covered cross-company tracking, while Podcasts, Maps, Reminders, 5G, gaming, Fitness+, and CarPlay gained additions. Apple also documented fixes across communications, Safari, Keychain, battery reporting, displays, and AirPods switching.[3][4]

Source ledger

References

Sources are linked to the claims they support. Publication and access dates are shown when available.

  1. About iOS 14 Updates

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 14.5 — Unlock iPhone with Apple Watch, AirTag, Emoji, and Siri

    Back to text ↑
  3. About iOS 14 Updates

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 14.5 — Privacy, Podcasts, 5G, and fixes

    Back to text ↑
  4. About the Security Content of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5 security content

    Back to text ↑
  6. About iOS 14 Updates

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · iOS 14.5

  7. About the Security Content of iOS 14.5 and iPadOS 14.5

    Apple Support · 2026-07-29 · Released April 26, 2021

  8. iOS & iPadOS 14.5 Release Notes

    Apple Developer · 2026-07-29

Documented & observed

Changes in this version

Source-linked features, fixes, known issues, removals, and community-observed behavior recorded across this version’s appearances and verified builds.

Release changes

Changed in this release

Features, fixes, removals, and regressions first observed in this release record.

enhancement · changed

App, controller, Fitness+, and CarPlay updates

documentedconfirmed

The release redesigned Podcasts, enabled Maps incident reporting and ETA sharing, added Reminders sorting and printing, supported current Xbox and PlayStation controllers, streamed Fitness+ through AirPlay 2, and added CarPlay ETA sharing with Siri or keyboard controls.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 14 Updates · iOS 14.5 — Podcasts, Maps, Reminders, Gaming, Fitness+, and CarPlay

compatibility · changed

iPhone 12 5G improvements

documentedconfirmed

The iPhone 12 family could use 5G with Dual SIM, while Smart Data Mode and international carrier support were refined for coverage, battery life, and data consumption.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 14 Updates · iOS 14.5 — 5G improvements

feature · introduced

AirTag and Precision Finding

documentedconfirmed

AirTag support arrived in Find My, including sound playback, crowd-assisted location, Lost Mode contact information, and Precision Finding on U1-equipped iPhone 11 and iPhone 12 models.

Recorded at Public

  1. [1] About iOS 14 Updates · iOS 14.5 — AirTag and Find My
  2. [2] Apple Introduces AirTag · Precision Finding and Find My network

Milestones

Release history

Every recorded channel appearance in chronological order. Open an appearance for any available build, scope, notes, and sources.

  2. +3 days
  3. +12 days
  4. +14 days

    Developer beta

    Beta 3

    Timeline onlyLegacy record

    Developer beta; build 18E5164h

    Availability
    available
    Sources
    Awaiting claim-level sources
    Open this appearance
  5. +1 day
  6. +12 days
  7. +8 days
  8. +8 days
  9. +7 days
  10. +6 days
  11. +7 days
  12. +6 days

    Public release

    Public

    Source-linked recordEditorially verified

    The public iOS 14.5 release added Apple Watch-assisted unlocking, AirTag, App Tracking Transparency, expanded Siri and emoji choices, 5G improvements, and substantial app and accessory updates.

    Availability
    available
    Sources
    13 linked
    Open this appearance

Historical context

Cycle comparison

Pace, intervals, and duration compared with earlier releases on the same platform.

Historical avg for .5 releases

44 days, 6.5 milestones

Based on 6 previous iOS .5 releases

Cycle vs. platform average

84d (avg: 58d)

26 days longer than the iOS average

Longest gap in this cycle

14 days

Between Beta 2 and Beta 3

Previous .5 releases (iOS)

Previous comparable iOS releases
VersionYearCycleMilestonesAvg. Interval
iOS 26.5202642d86d
iOS 18.5202540d68d
iOS 17.5202441d68d
iOS 16.5202351d79d
iOS 15.5202241d68d
iOS 13.5202050d610d

Scroll horizontally to compare every historical field.

Official release notes