Apple has updated macOS, iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and its HomePod firmware.
macOS Catalina 10.15.4 can be downloaded from the Mac App Store for free using the Update feature in the System Preferences app. According to Apple’s release notes:
macOS Catalina 10.15.4 introduces iCloud Drive folder sharing, Screen Time communications limits, Apple Music time-synced lyrics view, and more. The update also improves the stability, reliability, and security of your Mac
Finder
iCloud Drive folder sharing from Finder
Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link
Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files
Screen Time
Communication limits for controlling who your children can communicate with and be contacted by throughout the day and during downtime
Playback control of music videos for your children
Music
Time-synced lyrics view for Apple Music, including the ability to jump to your favorite part of a song by clicking a line in lyrics view
Safari
Option to import Chrome passwords into your iCloud Keychain for easy AutoFill of your passwords in Safari and across all your devices
Controls for duplicating a tab and for closing all tabs to the right of the current tab
HDR playback support on compatible computers for Netflix content
App Store with Apple Arcade
Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
Pro Display XDR
Customized reference modes that you can tailor to specific workflow needs by selecting from several color gamut, white point, luminance, and transfer function options
Accessibility
Head pointer preference for moving a cursor on the screen based on the precise movements of your head
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements.
High Dynamic Range output to HDR10-compatible third-party displays and TVs connected with DisplayPort or HDMI
OAuth authentication support with Outlook.com accounts for improved security
CalDav migration support when upgrading to iCloud reminders on a secondary device
Resolves an issue where text copied between apps may appear invisible when Dark Mode is active
Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly
Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminder
Fixes an issue with screen brightness for the LG UltraFine 5K display after waking from sleep
iOS and iPadOS have been upgraded to version 13.4. They can be over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update. According to Apple’s release notes, the upgrades:
iOS 13.4 introduces new Memoji stickers and iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app. This update also contains bug fixes and improvements.
Memoj
Nine new Memoji stickers, including Smiling Face with Hearts, Hands Pressed Together, and Party Face
Files
iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app
Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link
Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files
Always-visible controls to delete, move, reply to, or compose a message in conversation view
Responses to encrypted emails are automatically encrypted when you have configured S/MIME
App Store with Apple Arcade
Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
List view for See All Games
CarPlay
Third-party navigation app support for the CarPlay Dashboard
In-call information appears on the CarPlay Dashboard
Augmented Reality
AR Quick Look supports audio playback in USDZ files
Keyboard
Predictive typing support for Arabic
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:
Adds status bar indicator to display when VPN has disconnected on iPhone models with all-screen displays
Fixes an issue in Camera where the viewfinder may appear as a black screen after launch
Addresses an issue where Photos may appear to use excess storage
Resolves an issue in Photos that may prevent sharing an image to Messages if iMessage is disabled
Fixes an issue in Mail where messages may appear out of order
Addresses an issue in Mail where the conversation list may display empty rows
Resolves an issue where Mail may crash when tapping the Share button in Quick Look
Fixes an issue in Settings where cellular data may incorrectly display as off
Addresses an issue in Safari where webpages may not be inverted when both Dark Mode and Smart Invert are active
Resolves an issue where text copied from web content may appear invisible when pasted when Dark Mode is activ
Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly
Addresses an issue where Reminders may not issue new notifications for an overdue recurring reminder until it is marked as completed
Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminders
Fixes an issue where iCloud Drive appears to be available in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote even when not signed in
Addresses an issue in Apple Music where music videos may not stream in high quality
Resolves an issue where CarPlay may lose its connection in certain vehicles
Fixes an issue in CarPlay where the view in Maps may move away briefly from the current area
Addresses an issue in the Home app where tapping an activity notification from a security camera may open a different recording
Resolves an issue where Shortcuts may not appear when tapping on the Share menu from a screenshot
Improves the Burmese keyboard so punctuation symbols are now accessible from numbers and symbols
Apple has also provided separate release notes for the iPadOS update, which are available below and cover all of the new mouse and trackpad features.
iPadOS 13.4 introduces support for mouse and trackpad with iPad for greater precision and navigating the system with Multi-Touch gestures, and adds iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app and new Memoji stickers. This update also contains bug fixes and improvements.
Mouse and Trackpad Support
All-new cursor design highlights app icons on the Home Screen and Dock and buttons and controls in app
Magic Keyboard for iPad support on iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation or later) and iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation or later)
Magic Mouse, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Trackpad, Magic Trackpad 2, and third-party Bluetooth and USB mouse support
Multi-Touch gestures on Magic Keyboard for iPad and Magic Trackpad 2 enable you to scroll, swipe between app spaces, go Home, access App Switcher, zoom in or out, tap to click, secondary click (right-click), and swipe between pages
Multi-Touch gestures on Magic Mouse 2 enable you to scroll, secondary click (right-click), and swipe between pages
Files
iCloud Drive folder sharing from the Files app
Controls to limit access only to people you explicitly invite or grant access to anyone with the folder link
Permissions to choose who can make changes and upload files and who can only view and download files
Memoji
Nine new Memoji stickers, including Smiling Face with Hearts, Hands Pressed Together, and Party Face
Always-visible controls to delete, move, reply to, or compose a message in conversation view
Responses to encrypted emails are automatically encrypted when you have configured S/MIME
App Store with Apple Arcade
Universal Purchase support enables the use of a singular purchase of a participating app across iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
Recently played Arcade games appear in the Arcade tab so you can continue playing on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV
List view for See All Games
Augmented Reality
AR Quick Look supports audio playback in USDZ files
Keyboard
Live Conversion for Zhuyin automatically transforms Zhuyin into the correct characters without pressing the space bar to convert text or select candidates
Live Conversion for Japanese automatically transforms Hiragana into the correct characters without pressing the space bar to convert text or select candidates
Predictive typing support for Arabic
Swiss German keyboard layout supported on iPad Pro 12.9-inch
On-screen keyboard layout for iPad Pro 12.9-inch now matches Smart Keyboard
This update also includes bug fixes and other improvements. This update:
Fixes an issue in Camera where the viewfinder may appear as a black screen after launch
Addresses an issue where Photos may appear to use excess storage
Resolves an issue in Photos that may prevent sharing an image to Messages if iMessage is disabled
Fixes an issue in Mail where messages may appear out of order
Addresses an issue in Mail where the conversation list may display empty rows
Resolves an issue where Mail may crash when tapping the Share button in Quick Look
Fixes an issue in Settings where cellular data may incorrectly display as off
Addresses an issue in Safari where webpages may not be inverted when both Dark Mode and Smart Invert are active
Resolves an issue where text copied from web content in a third-party app may appear invisible when pasted if Dark Mode is active
Fixes an issue in Safari where a CAPTCHA tile may display incorrectly
Addresses an issue where Reminders may not issue new notifications for an overdue recurring reminder until it is marked as completed
Resolves an issue where Reminders may send notifications for completed reminders
Fixes an issue where iCloud Drive appears to be available in Pages, Numbers, and Keynote even when not signed in
Addresses an issue in Apple Music where music videos may not stream in high quality
Addresses an issue in the Home app where tapping an activity notification from a security camera may open a different recording
Resolves an issue where Shortcuts may not appear when tapping on the Share menu from a screenshot
Improves the Burmese keyboard so punctuation symbols are now accessible from numbers and symbols
Apple is also releasing iOS 12.4.6 for older iPhones, with the update adding security improvements.
watchOS 6.2 can be downloaded for free through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General > Software Update and following the instructions. Per Apple’s release notes
watchOS 6.2 includes new features, improvements, and bug fixes:
Introduces in-app purchases for Apple Watch apps
Fixes an issue where music playback could pause when switching from Wi-Fi to Bluetooth connectivity
ECG app on Apple Watch Series 4 or later now available in Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey
Irregular heart rhythm notifications now available in Chile, New Zealand, and Turkey
tvOS 13.4 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 turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 13.4 automatically. The upgrade provides support for the Powerbeats 4 earphones along with of bug fixes and improvements.
According to Apple’s release notes, HomePod Software Version 13.4 includes “general improvements for stability and quality.” The speaker should automatically update. If not:
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Make sure that your iOS device is updated to the latest version of iOS.
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On your iOS device, open the Home app and tap the house icon in the upper-left corner.
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Tap Software Update.
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Tap Install. This will install the update on all of your HomePod speakers you have set up in your home.
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