It feels like Apple's only just released iOS 14.5, but a month after that launched Apple has iOS 14.6 out!

Work on the iOS 14.6 beta began in April with Apple releasing the first developer beta of iOS 14.6 on 22 April 2021. The beta showed up a few new features including new AirTag features and updates related to the Apple's new lossless and spacial audio features on Apple Music.

iOS 14.6 release date

Apple released iOS 14.6 on Monday 24 April 2021. The company released macOS 11.4 at the same time.

The surprise is that iOS 14.6 isn't going to be the last version of iOS 14 - Apple has started work on iOS 14.7.

What's in iOS 14.6?

iOS 14.6 is not as feature heavy as iOS 14.5 was, perhaps because Apple is gearing up to launch the beta of iOS 15 after the WWDC event on 7 June. Read about what's expected at WWDC in our news round up.

Lossless and spatial audio support for Apple Music

Apple announced on 17 May that it will be upgrading its entire Apple Music catalogue to lossless as well as adding a new spacial audio feature (with support for Dolby Atmos). The updated music will arrive in June and will require iOS 14.6.

New AirTag features

There are changes to the Find My app that will change the options available for AirTag users. 

Previously if you set an AirTag or another compatible device to "Lost" mode, you could only specify a phone number for the person who found the device to contact you on.

Following the iOS 14.6 update it will be possible to specify an email address that can be used to notify you.

Voice control

With this new accessibility option users will be able to unlock their iPhones after restarting using their voice.

Podcast subscriptions

Apple announced a Podcast Subscriptions feature at its Spring Loaded event in April. This new service arrives with iOS 14.6.

Bug fixes

Apple notes that iOS 14.6 "also includes bug fixes for your iPhone". These include: 

  • Unlock with Apple Watch may not work after using Lock ‌‌iPhone‌‌ on Apple Watch
  • Reminders may appear as blank lines
  • Call blocking extensions may not appear in Settings
  • Bluetooth devices could sometimes disconnect or send audio to a different device during an active call
  • ‌‌iPhone‌‌ may experience reduced performance during startup

Battery drain bug fix

Earlier in May Apple released iOS 14.5.1, which was intended to fix a bug with App Tracking Transparency as well as a couple of two zero-day flaws, however some users have experienced battery drain since updating to iOS 14.5.1.

We are not aware yet if iOS 14.6 fixes this battery drain issue. If it doesn't we expect that a fix for this will arrive with iOS 14.7, which Apple is already working on.

Security fixes

There are also more than 30 security fixes in the update. Apple offers details about these security updates on its support page.

The security fixes include improved checks and validations. 

How to get the iOS 14 beta

One of the best things about Apple's beta program (read: How to become an Apple beta tester) is that it gives us an insight into the new features and change that are coming to iPhones. But you should beware that beta versions usually contain a lot of bugs, so the installation is at your own risk.

If you are interested in participating in testing the new updates, you can go to the Apple Beta Software Program and enter your details.

Apple also runs beta programs for iPadOS, tvOS, WatchOS, and macOS.

For more information read: How to join Apple's beta program and try out new software. Also read: How to get the iOS beta.