Apple releases iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, watchOS 6.2, tvOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4

Apple has released iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, tvOS 13.4, macOS 10.15.4 and watchOS 6.2 to the public, with the operating system updates introducing support for the Powerbeats 4 earphones along with a collection of bug fixes and improvements.

Released on Tuesday, the updates to iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 replace the previous version of the operating systems, iOS 13.3.1 and iPadOS 13.3.1, which were released on January 28. Users are able to manually request the update on their iPhone or iPad via the Settings app, by selecting General then Software Update, then the option to install the update if it is available to that device.

For users with automatic updates enabled on their device, a notification will display once the update has been downloaded, indicating the update is ready to be installed.

The updates are largely expected to include elements offered within the earlier beta releases, which involved Apple issuing five generations of builds to developers and members of its public beta-testing program. The most recent beta release was on March 10.

One of the reasons for the update releases is thought to be the launch and availability of the Powerbeats 4, a set of earphones from Beats announced on March 16. Apple typically issues software updates after major product launches, in order to ensure compatibility with the new hardware.

Earlier builds of iOS and iPadOS 13.4 included changes such as the return of iCloud folder sharing, a way for developers to sell macOS and iOS apps as a single purchase, new Memoji stickers, toolbar updates for Mail, keyboard shortcuts for Photos, Family Sharing tweaks in the TV app, and new CarPlay controls. References to a CarKey API were also found, suggesting a future use of an iPhone or Apple Watch as an NFC car key.

34 Comments

dysamoria 3430 comments · 12 Years

About 4 years ago

Is iOS 13 finally safe to install on devices where we’ve been holding off on it due to the utter mess it has been so far?

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

dysamoria said:

Is iOS 13 finally safe to install on devices where we’ve been holding off on it due to the utter mess it has been so far?

I've been using iOS 13 since the day it was released and I think your statement is utter nonsense. I'm sure you called iOS 12 an utter mess too, and 11, and 10, and 9. Phooey on your question. If one post here says it's still a mess you won't install it?

Jhosea 5 comments · 8 Years

iOS 13 has ran perfect for me. I honestly can’t remember the last time that I really had a bad experience. It has been several years ago.

dewme 5737 comments · 10 Years

dysamoria said:

Is iOS 13 finally safe to install on devices where we’ve been holding off on it due to the utter mess it has been so far?

If you’re under the impression that iOS 13 is an “utter mess” I’d say the answer is no.

For everyone else, it’s fine.

razorpit 1793 comments · 17 Years

lkrupp said:

dysamoria said:

Is iOS 13 finally safe to install on devices where we’ve been holding off on it due to the utter mess it has been so far?

I've been using iOS 13 since the day it was released and I think your statement is utter nonsense. I'm sure you called iOS 12 an utter mess too, and 11, and 10, and 9. Phooey on your question. If one post here says it's still a mess you won't install it?

Utter nonsense? Let's be honest, 13 had some big hangups on day 1. I fought with iPad OS on my Pro and that was acceptable. If I had to put up with all of them on a mission critical device such as my iPhone I would have been going back to my backups ASAP.

With that said, iOS 13 is pretty good now.