Apple has officially released the iOS 13.5 update due to the corona crisis. This includes, for example, the interface required for tracing apps.
Tracing apps, which could be used to monitor possible chains of Covid-19 infection, are considered to be an effective means of preventing the virus from spreading further in the corona crisis. So far, the publication of such an app, the use of which is also advocated by Health Minister Jens Spahn, has failed due to a missing interface in the mobile operating systems of Google and Apple. The iPhone company has now finished the Contact Tracing API – and is distributing the corresponding update.
iOS 13.5 and iPadOS 13.5 ready
After the Golden Master version of the update iOS 5.13, in which the API is included only on Monday released for developers was, it is now officially rolled out. The same goes for iPadOS 13.5. In addition to the API, Apple also delivers new features for Face ID and Facetime with iOS 13.5 – also due to the corona crisis.
In iOS 13.5 you can find the new Covid-19 contact protocol option in the settings under data protection and there under health. The function is deactivated by default, it can only be activated if an authorized app is activated for it.
Apple explains how it works
In the accompanying statement from Apple it says that the iPhone uses Bluetooth and sends randomly generated IDs in the vicinity. The device also collects the same ID from devices of other users. This allows you to anonymously see which user was in contact with whom. The ID should be automatically deleted after 14 days. How the ID is evaluated and the notification in the event of a corona infection is in the hands of the national tracing apps.
In addition to the interface, Apple also brings an already announced Face ID function for mask wearers with iOS 13.5. In this case, the switch to entering the passcode should take place faster than before. This also applies to applications such as the App Store, which rely on authentication via Face ID. Another innovation concerns Facetime calls in conference mode. Here, the size of the video images is no longer automatically changed when a participant speaks. In addition, minor bugs, such as in the mail app on the iPad, have been eliminated.