Apple releases fourth developer betas of iOS 13.5, iPadOS 13.5 with Exposure Notification

Apple has moved on to its fourth generation of betas for the current cycle, providing developers with new builds of iOS 13.5 and iPadOS 13.5 that integrate Exposure Notification and improved Face ID unlocks for mask wearers.

The newest builds can be downloaded via the Apple Developer Center for those enrolled into the test program, or via an over-the-air update on devices running the beta software. Public betas typically arrive within a few days of the developer versions, via the Apple Beta Software Program website.

Apple provided the third round of betas on April 29, and included a renumbering of the current beta versions of iOS and iPadOS to version 13.5. The second round, which used version 13.4.5 for both iOS and iPadOS, arrived April 15. The first round for iOS, iPadOS, and tvOS landed March 31, with watchOS 6.2.5's build appearing on April 1.

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Release notes for the builds have yet to offer real information about new features arriving in the new versions, except for the first software hooks required for the Exposure Notification API, intended to be used by in-development COVID-19 contact tracing apps. The hooks specifically do not do anything on their own and require an app to function properly.

Apple provided developers with sample code and user interfaces for the Exposure Notification feature on May 4.

A change was also made to how Face ID treats face masks, which cover the bottom half of the user's face and interferes with facial recognition. On detecting a face mask, Face ID will automatically skip the process and prompt for a passcode entry, saving users from having to wait for the timeout.

Given the proximity to WWDC 2020, it is likely that there won't be any major introductions outside of coronavirus-related functionality in these releases, effectively making them maintenance releases.

Both AppleInsider and Apple itself strongly advise users don't install the betas on primary devices or hardware they deem as "mission-critical" at all, as there is the highly remote possibility of data loss or other issues. Testers should instead install betas onto secondary or non-essential devices as a safer alternative, and to always make sure there are sufficient backups of important data before updating.

Find any changes in the new betas? Reach out to us on Twitter at @AppleInsider or @Andrew_OSU, or send Andrew an email at andrew@AppleInsider.com.

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8 Comments

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

About 4 years ago

So is the exposure notification an app or an API for apps to use? Is it on by default and how do we turn it off?

agilealtitude 165 comments · 6 Years

lkrupp said:

So is the exposure notification an app or an API for apps to use? Is it on by default and how do we turn it off?

API. It's meant for health authority devs to integrate with. Interestingly, I read somewhere that is is on by default. That is likely to change.

rorwessels 81 comments · 13 Years

agilealtitude said:

lkrupp said:

So is the exposure notification an app or an API for apps to use? Is it on by default and how do we turn it off?

API. It's meant for health authority devs to integrate with. Interestingly, I read somewhere that is is on by default. That is likely to change.

Yes, it is on by default. However, it can be turned off. Settings --> Privacy --> Health --> "COVID-19 Exposure Notifications"

caladanian 380 comments · 10 Years

Opt-out makes sense here. :smile:

caladanian said:

Opt-out makes sense here. :smile:

I would have preferred an opt-in.. Personally I think that's more in the spirit of GDPR and other privacy laws. This is a technology that could be perverted into a dreadful weapon against free peoples.