Everything New in iOS and iPadOS 13.4: iCloud Folder Sharing, Updated Mail Toolbar, New Memoji Stickers, and More

Apple today released the first iOS and iPadOS 13.4 betas for developers, bringing quite a few useful new features, design tweaks, and changes that are worth knowing about.

Below, we've rounded up all of the changes that we've found in iOS and iPadOS 13.4 so far.

New Mail Toolbar

The Mail app has an updated toolbar design that moves the reply icon away from the delete icon. Apple in iOS 13 moved these two buttons together, resulting in some people accidentally deleting emails instead of replying to them.

The trash icon also happened to be placed right where the reply icon had been in iOS 12, causing muscle memory issues.

mailapptoolbar
The new design, which is available when viewing an email, places the reply button on the far right, the delete button on the far left, and Folder and Flag icons in between them.

iCloud Folder Sharing

When iOS 13 was first introduced, iCloud Folder Sharing was announced as one of the new features. It was apparently difficult to implement, though, as it was removed during the beta testing period.

icloudfoldersharing
In iOS 13.4, iCloud Folder Sharing is finally available, allowing folders within the Files app to be shared with other people.

New Memoji Stickers

Apple in iOS 13 introduced Memoji stickers, which are emoji-style stickers that feature your Memoji and Animoji characters. In iOS 13.4, there are nine new sticker poses to choose from, including shocked face, face with hearts, eyes rolling, and more.

newmemojistickers

Universal macOS/iOS/tvOS Purchases

Apple has introduced new functionality that will allow developers to bundle iOS apps, tvOS apps, and macOS apps together for a single purchase price.

This will allow developers who make iOS and macOS apps to sell them in a single bundle, which is not a feature that's been available.

The change will be convenient for both developers and customers, as iOS and macOS users will be able to make one purchase for a cross-platform app. Developers will also be able to create discounted Mac and iOS bundles for the first time.

CarPlay

There are new call controls and third-party navigation controls in CarPlay, according to iMore's Rene Ritchie.

CarKey API

There appears to be a new API in iOS 13.4 called CarKey that is designed to allow the iPhone and the Apple Watch to unlock, lock, and start a compatible car, according to 9to5Mac.

Users will be able to use CarKey in vehicles that have NFC capabilities, with the iPhone or Apple Watch unlocking the car when held nearby. Authentication via Face ID will not be required, and the initial pairing process will be done through the Wallet app.

CarKey can be shared with other people, like family members, with drivers able to invite them through the Wallet app to have access to the key on their Apple devices. Based on signs in the code, Apple is working with some car manufacturers to implement the feature in the iOS 13.4 update.

Location Services

According to Apple's release notes for the iOS 13.4 and iPadOS 13.4 updates, when an app requests the Always location services authorization for the first time after being authorized for While Using the App, the user's iPhone or iPad will immediately show the authorization prompt.

It's not yet quite clear what this change means, but some apps that want always on access to a user's location have been upset with the location services changes that Apple introduced in iOS 13 limiting that access.

Some apps, like Tile, want always on access to provide full tracking functionality.

Keyboard Shortcuts on iPad

For the iPad, there are new keyboard shortcuts in the Photos app for navigating between tabs, search, and create albums. In full screen mode, there are also keyboard shortcuts for deleting photos, duplicating photos, and entering Edit mode.

Shazam Shortcuts Action

There's a new Shortcuts option to "Shazam It" when creating a shortcut in the Shortcuts app.

shazamshortcut

iPadOS Hardware Key Remapping

As noted by developer Steve Troughton-Smith, there appears to be a new option for remapping hardware keys on a keyboard that's connected to an iPad.

ipadhardwarekeyremapping

Other Features

See a feature we missed? Let us know in the comments and we'll add it to the list.

Top Rated Comments

baryon Avatar
50 months ago
I wonder if Mail can now... you know, get mail automatically again?

Edit: Seems like it can! Looks like they fixed it!
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
subjonas Avatar
50 months ago
Wow carkey is a big deal. That should have its own article.
I’ve been waiting for that feature for a long time. Now we just need car companies to implement it.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MacsRgr8 Avatar
50 months ago
Finally iCloud folder sharing!
Now.. if only iCloud Drive would let me pick which folders are synced to my Mac(s) and which are just online storage...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
randyhudson Avatar
50 months ago
Some apps, like Tile, want always on access to [S]provide full tracking functionality[/S] use your phone's battery and location to sell services to other Tile customers.

FTFY
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
HouseofG Avatar
50 months ago

I wonder if Mail can now... you know, get mail automatically again?
Amen. And the new mail without new emails actually showing has been driving me nuts since the first iOS 13 beta.


This. And great, I have to train my muscle memory again. And why has the trash can have to be all over to the left? Bad for one handed operation.
Here’s a crazy idea... let US choose what is in that bar and where.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Gsmaniac Avatar
50 months ago
I’m most excited about CarKey. My dreams of only ever having to carry around my phone in my pocket is nearly complete.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 17

iOS 17.2 Will Add These 12 New Features to Your iPhone

Friday December 1, 2023 12:19 pm PST by
iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below. iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list. Journal ...
iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.1.2 With Security Fixes

Thursday November 30, 2023 10:12 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2, small updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that Apple introduced in September. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 come a few weeks after the release of iOS 17.1.1, another bug fix update. iOS 17.1.2 and iPadOS 17.1.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update....
iOS 17

28 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in December's iOS 17.2 Update

Friday December 1, 2023 2:57 am PST by
Apple made the first beta of iOS 17.2 available to developers in October. Since then we've seen three more betas, and with each iteration Apple continues to add more new features and changes, many of which users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 28 new things that are coming to your iPhone when the finalized version is publicly released this December. 1. Help...
apple card 1

Apple Ending Apple Card Partnership With Goldman Sachs

Tuesday November 28, 2023 3:09 pm PST by
Apple is ending its credit card partnership with Goldman Sachs, according to The Wall Street Journal. Apple plans to stop working with Goldman Sachs in the next 12 to 15 months, and it is not yet clear if Apple has established a new partnership for the Apple Card. Apple and Goldman Sachs will dissolve their entire consumer partnership, including the Apple Card and the Apple Savings account....
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.2 Beta 4

Tuesday November 28, 2023 12:18 pm PST by
Apple is wrapping up development on iOS 17.2, with the update expected to come out in December. While we're getting to the end of the beta testing period, Apple is still tweaking features and adding new functionality. We've rounded up everything new in the fourth beta of iOS 17.2. Default Notification Sound Under Sounds & Haptics, there's a new "Default Alerts" section that allows you to ...
iPhone 16 Mock Header Updated 1

iPhone 16 to Include Action Button Across Entire Lineup

Thursday November 30, 2023 4:08 pm PST by
The release of the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max saw the introduction of an entirely new user-configurable button known as the Action button, and now, MacRumors has seen extensive evidence confirming Apple is planning to include the Action button on the entire iPhone 16 range. Designs and plans for the Action button date back to at least 2021, as the button was intended for release alongside hapt...
anker new xmas

Anker's Cyber Week Sale Enters Final Days With Up to 60% Off Sitewide

Friday December 1, 2023 12:05 pm PST by
Anker's Black Friday/Cyber Week event is entering its final days this weekend, and it's still offering up to 60 percent off sitewide. There are also a few "mystery boxes" that can include hundreds of dollars in savings, if you're willing to risk not knowing what you're buying ahead of time. All of these sales will end on December 3. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Anker. When you...
paramount plus logo

Apple and Paramount Considering Discounted TV+ Streaming Bundle

Friday December 1, 2023 4:40 am PST by
Apple and Paramount have discussed bundling their TV streaming services at a discount, according to a new report by The Wall Street Journal. The companies have talked about offering a combination of Paramount+ and Apple TV+ that would cost less than subscribing to both services separately, according to people familiar with the discussions. The discussions are in their early stages, and it is ...
General Apps Messages

Green Bubbles on iPhone to Gain These 7 New Features Next Year

Thursday November 30, 2023 9:00 am PST by
Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will finally support RCS in the Messages app on the iPhone starting later next year. This change will result in several improvements to the messaging experience between iPhones and Android devices. RCS will become the new default standard for messaging between iPhones and Android devices, but these conversations will still have green bubbles like...