Apple iOS 14.7: Everything to know about the latest iPhone update – CNET

Apple’s iOS 14.7 is out, and the small update comes with useful features like MagSafe battery pack support for the iPhone 12 and managing timers on your HomePod. The April iOS 14.5 update brought the abilities to unlock your iPhone with Face ID while wearing a mask, stop apps from tracking you for advertising purposes and choose from four Siri voices. You can check out the beta now, ahead of the general iOS 15 release expected this fall.

Here’s what you need to know about iOS 14.7. Plus, check out everything to know about Apple’s upcoming iOS 15 update. 

Read more: iOS 14.6’s best new iPhone features

How to download iOS 14.7 now

Since Apple released iOS 14.7 to the public, you should get a prompt telling you that iOS 14.7 is now available and asking if you’d like to download it. Or you can do the following: 

1. Open the Settings app.

2. Select General.

3. Tap Software Update. 

Your device will connect to Apple’s servers and prompt you to download and install the update. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. When your device reboots, it will be running iOS 14.7. (Check out our full instructions on preparing your phone and downloading iOS 14 here.)

What devices does iOS 14.7 work on?

iOS 14.7 is compatible with all the same devices as iOS 14. Generally, these include the iPhone 6S all the way up through the iPhone 12, along with the iPhone SE and the seventh-gen iPod Touch. For the full list of devices compatible with iOS 14, click here. 

New features included in iOS 14.7

The latest operating software update appears to be smaller, and focused on under-the-hood changes. Here are some of the features included in the final beta version. 

MagSafe battery pack support for iPhone 12

If you have an iPhone 12 (any model), iOS 14.7 will allow for MagSafe battery pack support, so you can buy a $99 MagSafe battery pack that will magnetically attach to your phone and charge it on the go. 

Set timers on your HomePod using the Home app

While you’ve been able to set timers on HomePod for a while, you previously needed to do this using Siri. In iOS 14.7, you can set a timer for your HomePod through the Home app without having to ask Siri, as 9to5Mac found in the developer beta code. The new option is located below HomePod alarms. 

Weather app air quality feature expanding to more countries

iOS 14 added the ability to see air quality measures in the Weather app, but only in a few regions. In the iOS 14.7 developer beta, this feature appears to be expanded to more countries, 9to5Mac spotted. 

Changes to your Podcasts library

Your Podcasts library will allow you to choose to see all shows or only shows that you follow. 

Apple Card Family

If you use the Apple Card, iOS 14.7 offers the option to combine credit limits and share one co-owned account with an existing ‌‌Apple Card‌‌ user. 

Battery drain bug fix

Several people have reported an issue with their iPhone battery draining quickly since updating to iOS 14.6. It’s unclear whether Apple is addressing this issue in iOS 14.7, but the release notes say that a battery service message that might’ve disappeared after reboot on some iPhone 11 models has been restored. 

For more, check out some of the best hidden iPhone features we’ve found in iOS 14. And before you make any OS updates, make sure your iPhone and iPad are ready to do so.