Following the release of iOS 14.7, watchOS 7.6, and several other operating system updates this week, Apple has acknowledged that a bug in iOS 14.7 could prevent users from being able to unlock their Apple Watches by simply unlocking their paired Touch ID-equipped iPhones.
Apple's temporary workaround for the bug is for the user to type their passcode into their Apple Watch to unlock it rather than relying on their iPhone, and Apple says the issue will be addressed in a future software update.
Users who have forgotten their Apple Watch passcodes will need to reset their Apple Watches. Enterprise users whose iPhones are loaded with MDM profiles that require alphanumeric passcodes will need to work with their MDM administrators to remove the passcode requirement and then unpair, erase, and set up their Apple Watches again.
We have seen a few signs of iOS 14.7.1 in our site analytics over the past few days, so this will presumably be a relatively short turnaround on a bug fix update rather than a more significant update with an extended beta testing period. We have not seen any sign of a larger iOS 14.8 update in our analytics, and we expect that we will only see minor bug fix updates until Apple officially releases iOS 15 in a few months.
The report suggests that Apple will continue to monitor the situation and will give employees at least a month's notice before requiring workers to return to their offices.
The iPhone maker becomes one of the first U.S. tech giants to delay plans for a return to normality as Covid persists and cases involving a highly transmissible variant increase. Apple will give its employees at least a month’s warning before mandating a return to offices, the people said, asking not to be identified discussing internal policy.
After over a year of remote work, many employees at not only Apple but many other companies have expressed interest in continuing their remote work arrangements, seeking increased flexibility and in some cases an escape from high housing prices near many corporate headquarters in Silicon Valley and beyond.
While some companies have embraced the move, Apple has so far attempted to take a hybrid approach, arguing that in-person collaboration is essential to the company's culture and future. So while Apple may have delayed its plans to return to at least some in-person work for most employees, it remains to be seen how things will shake out over the long term.
New Safari updates are normally introduced alongside new macOS updates for the current version of macOS and security updates for older versions of macOS, but the Safari 14.1.2 update is available on its own and Apple has not yet released macOS Big Sur 11.5.
The Safari update can be downloaded by going to System Preferences and clicking on the Software Update section.
We'll update this article when Apple provides details on the security fixes.
Apple today released iOS 14.7 to the public after several months of beta testing. iOS 14.7 is a smaller update than some of the updates that preceded it, but there are still a few notable features.
We've highlighted everything that's new in iOS 14.7 below.
MagSafe Battery Pack Support
Apple in July introduced the MagSafe Battery Pack, which is designed to work with the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max. iOS 14.7 introduces support for the MagSafe Battery Pack, and the update is required to use it.
On the iPhone, you can view the charge level of the MagSafe Battery Pack through the Batteries widget either on the Home Screen or through the Today View, with the battery charge level available right alongside the iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods battery readings.
Two current Apple Card owners who want to share a single Apple Card account can now merge their accounts together, resulting in a higher shared credit limit with the lower APR of the two accounts.
The account merging process can be initiated in the Wallet app.
HomePod Timer Management
With iOS 14.7, there's now an option to manage timers on the HomePod through the Home app.
Air Quality Information
Air Quality information in the Weather and Maps app has expanded to Canada, France, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Spain.
Podcasts Updates
In the Podcasts app, the Podcasts library now has an option that lets users see all shows or only followed shows.
Bug Fixes
There are several noteworthy bug fixes that Apple has addressed in the iOS 14.7 update. Apple's release notes include the following:
An issue that could cause Dolby Atmos and Apple Music lossless audio playback to unexpectedly stop has been fixed.
The battery service message that may have disappeared after reboot on some iPhone 11 models is restored.
A bug that caused Braille displays to show invalid information when composing Mail messages has been fixed.
A bug that could cause the share playlist menu option to go missing in Apple Music has been addressed.
The iOS 14.7 update also appears to fix a bug that could cause an iPhone's WiFi to stop working if connected to a WiFi network named "%p%s%s%s%s%n." This isn't mentioned in Apple's release notes, but connecting to a network with that name could impact the iPhone's functionality and it is no longer an issue after installing iOS 14.7.
iOS 14.7 Issues
According to Apple, there's a bug in iOS 14.7 that can prevent users from being able to unlock their Apple Watches by unlocking paired Touch ID-equipped iPhones.
As a temporary workaround, Apple recommends that users type their passcode into their Apple Watch to unlock it rather than relying on the Apple Watch, with the bug set to be addressed in a future software update.
Apple has filed a subpoena against the Coalition for App Fairness, requesting details on their communications as Apple fights a series of antitrust lawsuits. The Coalition for App Fairness comprises several companies who have been critical of Apple's App Store rules and fees, including Epic Games, Spotify, Deezer, Tile, and Match Group.
Members of the Coalition for App Fairness earlier this month filed a lawsuit (via Apple Insider) attempting to prevent Apple's subpoenas from being approved. The Coalition for App Fairness is afraid that Apple will use those private communications to retaliate against coalition members.
The Coalition for App Fairness says that it is not involved in Apple's antitrust matters, which were filed before the coalition was formed. Apple has also subpoenaed communications from Forbes Tate Partners LLC, a public affairs firm used by the Coalition for App Fairness, and Meghan DiMuzio, the coalition's executive director.
Apple is seeking a "host of documents and communications," such as formation documents, activities, meeting minutes, recruitment efforts, membership lists, financing, communications between coalition members and potential members, and communications between coalition members and any foreign or domestic governmental entity or official relating to Apple.
The Coalition for App Fairness says that if the subpoenas are approved, it could "chill the candor" of member discussions and the "effectiveness of the Coalition's advocacy efforts."
Yet Apple has made intrusive demands for documents and communications with not even the slightest connection to that issue, such as the Coalition's internal governance documents, financial support, public-relations strategy, and vast amounts of confidential communications between and among Coalition staff, members, and others. The true purpose of Apple's discovery requests should be obvious: the company is seeking to punish its political opponents by prying into their confidential communications through burdensome and intrusive discovery.
Communications between coalition members are "irrelevant to the claims and defenses in the antitrust cases and are disproportional to the needs of the cases," according to the filing.
The Coalition for App Fairness has asked the judge to "quash" Apple's subpoenas entirely. Apple is seeking the documentation for the class action antitrust lawsuit that it is dealing with.
In iOS 15, Apple introduced a new Focus feature that aims to help reduce distractions and let you zone in on a single thing. Focus does this by filtering notifications based on what you're doing.
With Focus, you can set your device to help you be in the moment by creating a custom Focus or selecting a suggested one based on the context, like during work hours or while you're winding down for bed. It's also possible to create Home Screen pages with apps and widgets that apply to moments of focus to only display relevant apps and reduce temptation.
How to Create a Custom Focus
Launch the Control Center and tap the Focus button.
Tap the New Focus button at the bottom, indicated by a plus sign.
Select Custom to create a new Focus.
Give your custom Focus a name and choose a colour/emoji/icon to make it recognizable, then tap Next.
On the next screen, tap Add Person to choose the people you want to receive notifications from when the Focus mode is enabled. You can also choose to receive calls from Everyone, No One, Favorites, or All Contacts, with this being a separate call-specific option.
Tap Allow [X] Person or Allow None.
On the next screen, tap Add App to choose apps you want to receive notifications from when the Focus mode is enabled.
Tap Allow [X] Apps or Allow None.
On the next screen, choose whether to Allow Time Sensitive notifications when the Focus is enabled or tap Not Now to decide later.
Tap Done to finish creating the custom Focus.
Once your custom Focus is created, you can adjust its options anytime by going to Settings -> Focus and selecting its name. There, you'll find additional settings available to you, including the option to Hide Notification Badges on app icons and an option to hide certain Home Screen pages using the Custom Page toggle. You can also choose to Dim Lock Screen appearance and Show On Lock Screen any silenced notifications you receive.
In addition, note the Smart Activation option, which when turned on allows your device to turn on the custom Focus automatically at relevant times throughout the day, based on signals like your location, app usage, and more. Alternately, choose Add Schedule or Automation to have the Focus turn on automatically at a set time, location, or while using a certain app.
How to Turn On a Focus
Turning a Focus on is easy. Simply launch the Control Center, tap the Focus button, then select the Focus you want to enable. You can also tap the ellipsis (three dots) button to enable it For 1 hour, Until this evening, or Until I leave this location.
To disable the Focus, just tap the Focus button again in Control Center and then tap the active Focus. Remember, when you turn on/turn off a Focus, it's turned on/off across all your devices.
For more information on the new Focus mode options available in iOS 15, make sure to check out our Focus guide.
Apple has made it clear that most of its employees will not be able to work remotely on a permanent basis, but that isn't stopping some corporate staff from continuing to push for more relaxed remote working rules, reports Recode.
In a new petition that went out this week, employees are asking Apple to allow employees to work from home on a more permanent basis. Apple has agreed to a hybrid work schedule that will require employees to come into the office on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, with the option of working remotely on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Some employees are not happy with this arrangement because it requires that they continue to live in the areas near Apple's campuses, which are expensive. Housing prices in Cupertino where Apple's two main campuses are located start at over $1 million.
In June, employees sent a letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook asking for a more flexible approach, which prompted a reply from Apple's VP of people, Deirdre O'Brien. She said that in-person collaboration is "essential" to Apple's culture and future.
The second letter going around this week suggests two "pilot arrangements" that would give employees an opportunity to work remotely for at least one year. Under the proposal, employees would be able to work remotely five days a week with the approval of their manager or department head, and in some cases, with a cost-of-living compensation adjustment. The letter also complains that it is too early to return to the office, with the full text available below.
Dear Tim, Deirdre, and Team,
Thank you for all the work you and the team do to keep Apple's culture so rich, vibrant, and inclusive! We especially appreciate the People's team's efforts over the last few weeks to understand our personal situations. However, it has been disappointing to see these personal stories not acknowledged individually or by any change in policy. We continue to be concerned that this one-size-fits-all solution is causing many of our colleagues to question their future at Apple. Around 68% of the respondents to our informal survey somewhat or strongly agreed that the lack of location flexibility would likely cause them to leave Apple; that's over 1100 members of our Apple family, and we care about every single one of them.
With COVID-19 numbers rising again around the world, vaccines proving less effective against the Delta variant, and the long-term effects of infection not well understood, it is too early to force those with concerns to come back to the office. Furthermore, allowing some greater flexibility than the current 3/2 schedule would enable us to truly validate whether some people working remotely, not just everyone occasionally working from home, is compatible with Apple's culture of collaboration.
We propose the following adaptations to the Flexible Work Arrangement (FWA) and Temporary Remote Work Arrangement (TRWA) programs to make them part of the Hybrid Working Pilot. These new arrangements would be limited to one year with no promise to be extended.
Local WFH Temporary Pilot Agreement:
This proposal is intended to accommodate employees who work better from home--or who do not feel comfortable in the office while the pandemic is still not under control--by allowing them to continue working from home unless the particular needs of their role require them to be in the office.
Required: Approval of direct manager.
Default work location is home, but the employee will still have an assigned desk in the office.
WFH location must be within commutable distance to the employer's assigned office.
A fixed WFH/in-office schedule may be part of this arrangement at the manager's discretion.
Remote WFH Temporary Pilot Agreement
This proposal is intended to accommodate employees whose living situations are not compatible, or have become incompatible, with commuting to an Apple office
Required: Approval of department head.
Default work location is current permanent home address; employee will not have an assigned desk in the office.
Employee's compensation may be adjusted based on location, the same as for permanent remote employees.
We believe that these two proposals are essential to making the Hybrid Working Pilot successful. Together, they ensure the Pilot encompasses the full range of office and non-office working arrangements, allow us to retain many of our colleagues, who have expressed the desire for location-flexibility in their current roles, and enable individuals and teams to respond more quickly to the changing regional conditions of COVID-19 without relying on previous company-wide guidance. We hope you agree that the risks of these adapted policies are minimal while their potential benefits are enormous and look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Apple employees maintain a Slack channel with more than 6,000 members where they have been discussing Apple's remote work policies and where the two petitions have been drafted from. Last week, employees complained to The Verge that Apple has been cracking down on remote work policies and approving fewer remote work requests following the hybrid model announcement.
Approximately 10 people from the Slack channel have claimed they are planning to quit if forced to return from the office, and it's likely that number is larger as not all employees participate in the channel.
Many tech companies in the Bay Area where Apple is located have gone fully remote or are offering more expansive work from home options for their employees. Google and Facebook, for example, are letting some employees work remotely on a permanent basis.
In Santa Clara County where Apple's Apple Park and Infinite Loop campuses are located, there is once again a mask recommendation, which is not yet a mandate. Employees are correct that Delta variant cases are ramping up in California, which does have the potential to impact Apple's September return plans.
According to Apple's release notes, today's update allows users to manage timers directly from the Home app on the iPhone and the iPad. Apple says the update also includes general performance and stability improvements.
There have been multiple complaints of sudden HomePod failures possibly due to overheating with the prior 14.6 update, but it is not clear if the 14.7 software fixes these issues.
HomePod software is installed automatically on the HomePod unless the feature is disabled, but the HomePod can also be manually updated in the Home app by following the instructions in our HomePod update how to.
Update September 29, 2022: This product has been recalled due to a potential fire hazard.
Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, accessory maker Hyper today announced that its stackable 65W and 100W chargers based on space saving and power efficient gallium nitride (GaN) technology are now available.
The new HyperJuice chargers each feature a pass-through AC power outlet that is rated up to 1500W, which can be used to power devices with a pronged power cord like the full-size HomePod, or to stack additional HyperJuice chargers to create a "supercharger" with up to 64 ports and up to 1600W of power from a single wall outlet.
Priced at $69.99 on Hyper's online store, the smaller 65W charger features two USB-C ports rated at 65W and one USB-A port rated at 18W. The larger 100W version retails for $99.99 and is equipped with three USB-C ports rated at 100W and one USB-A port rated at 18W. (The 100W version is currently out of stock.)
Hyper says GaN semiconductor material based on Navitas GaNFast technology allows these chargers to be 10x smaller, 100x faster, and 5x more power efficient than traditional silicon chargers. A report earlier this year claimed that Apple is planning its own GaN chargers, but it is unclear when they would be released.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Hyper. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
Apple today seeded a second release candidate version of an upcoming macOS Big Sur 11.5 update to developers for testing purposes, with the new update coming one week after the release of the first RC version.
Developers can download the macOS Big Sur 11.5 beta using the Software Update mechanism in System Preferences after installing the proper profile from the Apple Developer Center.
macOS Big Sur 11.5 introduces an update to the Podcasts app that allows the Podcasts Library tab to show all shows or only followed shows. It also addresses an issue that could cause music not to update play count and last played date in the library, and a bug that caused smart cards not to work when logging into Mac computers with the M1 chip.
Apple Music Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and Apple Music Lossless are now rolling out to Apple Music subscribers in India, based on reports circulating on Twitter.
The new Apple Music features began rolling out to customers in other countries at the beginning of June, but Apple delayed the launch in India. Since June, the Apple Music website in India has had a "coming soon" label, and it appears the feature will soon be available to all.
High resolution and lossless audio on Apple Music has landed in India. I am enjoying some Tool in high res audio on the 6 HomePods I’m running together pic.twitter.com/gxHppW8VNq
— Sahil Mohan Gupta (@DigitallyBones) July 19, 2021
The Apple Music website in India has not yet been updated to make it clear that Spatial Audio and Lossless quality have launched, but it's likely to be updated once the new features can be accessed by everyone.
Apple Music users in India who have been upset that the new Apple Music functionality has been unavailable will be relieved to hear that the rollout has started.
Apple today released iOS 14.7, marking the seventh major update to the iOS operating system that came out in September 2020. iOS 14.7 comes two months after the launch of iOS 14.6, a major update that added Apple Card Family Support, Podcast Subscriptions, and more.
The iOS 14.7 update can be downloaded for free and the software is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update.
According to Apple's release notes, iOS 14.7 adds support for the recently introduced MagSafe Battery Pack, which is compatible with the iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max.
The update also introduces an Apple Card Family feature for combining credit limits, plus it introduces new features for the HomePod and the Weather app. Apple's full release notes are below.
iOS 14.7 includes the following improvements and bug fixes for your iPhone: - MagSafe Battery Pack support for iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max - Apple Card Family adds the option to combine credit limits and share one co-owned account with an existing Apple Card user - Home app adds the ability to manage timers on HomePod - Air quality information is now available in Weather and Maps for Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, South Korea, and Spain - Podcasts library allows you to choose to see all shows or only followed shows
Bug Fixes: - Share playlist menu option missing in Apple Music - Dolby Atmos and Apple Music lossless audio playback may unexpectedly stop - Battery service message that may have disappeared after reboot on some iPhone 11 models is restored - Braille displays could show invalid information while composing Mail messages
iOS 14.7 may be the last update to the iOS 14 update as Apple transitions work to iOS 15, which was introduced at WWDC. iOS 15 is set to be released this fall.
Update: An earlier version of this article said that Apple had released both iOS 14.7 and iPadOS 14.7. It does not appear that Apple has released an iPadOS 14.7 update for iPads, which is unusual as these updates have never previously been separated.
Apple today released watchOS 7.6, the sixth major update to the watchOS 7 operating system that was released in September 2020. watchOS 7.6 comes two months after the release of watchOS 7.5.
The watchOS 7.6 update can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.
According to Apple's release notes, the watchOS 7.6 update brings support for the ECG app and irregular heart rhythm notifications to 30 additional regions.
No other new features were discovered during the beta testing process, and it's likely that watchOS 7.6 will be one of the final updates to the watchOS 7 operating system as Apple works to transition to watchOS 8.
Apple today released tvOS 14.7, the seventh update to the tvOS 14 operating system that initially debuted in September 2020. tvOS 14.7 comes two months after the launch of the tvOS 14.6 update.
tvOS 14.7, which is a free update, can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System > Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates enabled will be upgraded to tvOS 14.7 automatically.
Apple's tvOS updates are usually minor in scale, focusing on under-the-hood bug fixes, performance updates, and small tweaks rather than major outward-facing changes. No new features were discovered during the tvOS 14.7 beta testing process.
Apple does not provide detailed release notes for its tvOS updates, but it does offer some tvOS details through its tvOS support document.
tvOS 14.7 may be one of the final updates to the tvOS 14 operating system as Apple shifts its attention to tvOS 15, which is set to come out this fall.
Mesh technology offers whole home Wi-Fi coverage that is easily expandable by adding additional nodes, with Wi-Fi 6 offering faster speeds with lower latency compared to Wi-Fi 5, which was previously known as 802.11ac. HomeKit support, which rolled out with a software update last week, allows the AX4200 nodes to be managed through the Home app on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, complete with improved network security options.
Nanoleaf, known for its range of smart lighting panels, recently launched new HomeKit-enabled "Elements Wood Look" hexagon lights with a wood grain veneer designed to offer a more natural lighting experience that blends in better with home decor and creates a cozy ambiance in the room. Apple is now carrying these lights for $299.95.
Other accessories added to Apple's online store include various protective cases and sleeves for the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, and AirPods Pro, as well as Belkin's wall-mounted Wemo Stage Scene Controller that allows you to control smart lights, shades, thermostats, door locks and other HomeKit-enabled accessories.
In a recently updated support document, Apple has indicated that customers should not use products containing hydrogen peroxide to disinfect Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, HomePod, AirPods, and more. On the other hand, Apple has confirmed it is okay to use a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe to disinfect products.
We've emphasized the wording added to the support document below:
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.
Apple says to avoid getting moisture in any opening when disinfecting products, and warns against submerging an Apple product in any cleaning agents, as liquid damage is not covered by Apple's standard warranty.
Many common household cleaning brands offer solutions with hydrogen peroxide, such as Lysol, so be sure to read labels as necessary.
Nomad today is hosting a 30 percent off sitewide sale, giving you the chance to save on iPhone cases, AirPods cases, Apple Watch bands, charging accessories, and more. This "Summer Vibes Sale" will last through July 25 and you'll need to enter the code SUMMER30 to see the discount.
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
This coupon code can only be applied to full-priced items on Nomad, and it is not valid on any of Moment's camera gear that is sold on Nomad's website.
In terms of cases, Nomad sells MagSafe-compatible cases and folios for the iPhone 12 series. The Rugged Case with MagSafe is priced at $41.97 (regular $59.95) and the Rugged Folio with MagSafe is priced at $55.97 (regular $79.95).
There are plenty of other opportunities for savings during the Summer Vibes Sale, including discounted AirTag Keychains, wallets, the Nomad titanium Apple Watch band, MacBook Sleeves, and other products. Head to Nomad's website to browse the full sale before it ends July 25.
Apple's new MagSafe Battery Pack will begin arriving to customers around the world this week, and one lucky person has already snagged one.
Steven Russell from Memphis, Tennessee said he managed to pick up the MagSafe Battery Pack from a local Apple Store over the weekend, and he has since shared photos on Reddit, providing a closer look at its design and thickness.
Russell shared some early impressions of the battery pack, noting that it is designed with hard but smooth plastic and has a very strong magnetic attraction to his iPhone 12 Pro, even with Apple's silicone MagSafe case on the device. He added that while the battery pack is quite thick, its rounded edges make it comfortable to hold.
Priced at $99 in the United States, the MagSafe Battery Pack attaches magnetically to the back of the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, or iPhone 12 Pro Max, providing additional hours of battery life. Apple says the battery pack is able to wirelessly charge the iPhone at up to 5W on the go, or at up to 15W when the battery pack is connected to a 20W or higher power adapter with a Lightning to USB-C cable.
When you attach the MagSafe Battery Pack to an iPhone 12 running iOS 14.7 or later, it will automatically begin to charge the iPhone and a charging status will appear on the Lock screen. iOS 14.7 is currently in beta and should be released within the next few days.
The MagSafe Battery Pack can be ordered on Apple's online store in a white color only and currently has a late July delivery estimate.
Update: Russell has also confirmed that the MagSafe Battery Pack can wirelessly charge AirPods, which is to be expected, as the battery pack is functionally equivalent to the MagSafe Charger in this regard.
One more thing to add. I have been asked if it wirelessly charges AirPods. Answer appears to be yes. pic.twitter.com/2WCcKSOlbI
— Steven Russell (@stevenrussell) July 19, 2021
Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Nomad. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.
