Apple recently released iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2, the second major updates to the iOS and iPadOS 14 operating system updates that were released in September. iOS 14.2 and iPadOS 14.2 come two weeks after the launch of iOS 14.1.

The iOS 14.2 update can be downloaded for free and it is available on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the new software, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 12.4.9 for older devices.

iOS14

Apple's new iOS update comes with a number of new features.

New Emoji

Apple traditionally updates iOS with new emojis each fall, and iOS 14.2 is the emoji update. iOS and iPadOS 14.2 include new Emoji 13 characters with options that include smiling face with tear, ninja, pinched fingers, anatomical heart, black cat, mammoth, polar bear, dodo, fly, bell pepper, tamale, bubble tea, potted plant, piñata, plunger, wand, feather, hut, and more, with a full list available here.

2020emoji
Along with emoji, iOS 14.2 includes support for Intercom, which turns the HomePod, HomePod mini, and other devices into intercoms that can be used throughout the home.

Intercom

Intercom allows family members to communicate with one another in the home by sending and receiving spoke messages through ‌HomePod‌ speakers or through iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and CarPlay. Intercom can be activated by saying "Hey ‌Siri‌, Intercom" to activate it, followed by a message, and it can even be used when people are away from home.

homepodminiintercom
You can choose specific HomePods or devices in the home to send a message to everyone in the household or send a reply to an Intercom message sent by someone else. On devices like ‌‌iPhone‌‌ and ‌‌iPad‌‌, Intercom messages are shown as notifications with the option to listen to an audio message.

Also related to ‌HomePod‌, the standard full-size ‌HomePod‌ can now be connected to Apple TV 4K for stereo, surround sound, and Dolby Atmos audio.

Music Recognition and New Playing Widget

In Control Center, there's a new Music Recognition toggle that the integration of the Apple-owned Shazam app in the iOS operating system. Music Recognition lets you discover music playing around you and it can recognize music playing in apps even when you're wearing AirPods.

musicrecognitioncontrol
Music Recognition can be added to Control Center through the Settings app, and it can be used by activating the Control Center and then tapping on the Shazam icon to song recognition, a process simpler than asking ‌Siri‌ or opening the Shazam app.

There's a redesigned Now Playing widget in the Control Center that lists recently played albums that you might want to listen to when no music is playing. There's also a redesigned interface for AirPlay, which makes it easier to play music across multiple ‌AirPlay‌ 2-compatible devices at the same time.

applemusicsuggestions

AirPods Optimized Battery Charging

AirPods owners should know that the iOS 14.2 update adds optimized battery charging for the AirPods, which will slow battery aging by reducing the amount of time that AirPods spend fully charged. The feature works by monitoring your usage habits and avoiding a full charge until just before the AirPods are needed.

airpodschargingcase

A14 Camera Features for iPad

For iPad Air owners, the iPadOS 14 update adds new A14 camera functionality that was also introduced in the ‌iPhone‌ 12 lineup. Scene Detection uses intelligent image recognition to identify objects to improve photos, and Auto FPS reduces frame rate when recording video to improve low light capture.

ipadairdesign

People Detection

For those with low vision, Apple added a new "People Detection" accessibility feature in the Magnifier app that takes advantage of the camera to let ‌iPhone‌ users know how far away other people are, a useful tool for social distancing.

magnifierpeopledetection

Apple Watch App Changes

For the Apple Watch app on the ‌‌iPhone‌‌, Apple tweaked the design slightly, updating the watch with one of the new Solo Loop Apple Watch bands included with the Apple Watch Series 6 and the Apple Watch SE.

iOS14

Apple Card Features

With the iOS 14.2 update, Apple Card users will get a yearly spending history option that allows them to see how much they've spent in the current calendar year and how much Daily Cash they've earned. Before iOS 14.2, ‌Apple Card‌ spending activity was limited to a weekly or monthly summary.

apple card yearly spending activity

New Wallpapers

There are eight new wallpaper options available in iOS 14.2, both with artistic and realistic scenes with different looks for dark and light mode.

iphonewallpaperios142

For more on all of the new features in iOS 14, make sure to check out our iOS 14 roundup.

Related Forum: iOS 14

Popular Stories

iOS 18

Apple Releases iOS 18.5 With New Wallpaper, Screen Time Changes, Carrier Satellite Support for iPhone 13 and More

Monday May 12, 2025 10:06 am PDT by
Apple today released iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5, the fifth updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that came out last September. iOS 18.5 and iPadOS 18.5 come a little over a month after Apple released iOS 18.4 and iPadOS 18.4. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. The iOS 18.5 update has a...
tvOS 18 Feature

Apple Releases tvOS 18.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:01 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.5, the latest version of the tvOS operating system. tvOS 18.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.5 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌ owners who have...
iPhone 17 Pro Blue Feature Tighter Crop

WSJ: Apple Weighing Price Hikes for iPhone 17 Lineup Without Blaming Tariffs

Monday May 12, 2025 3:36 am PDT by
Apple is considering raising prices for its upcoming iPhone 17 models set to release this fall, according to people familiar with the matter cited by The Wall Street Journal. The company reportedly aims to pair the potential price hikes with new features and design changes to justify the increased cost to consumers, rather than attributing them to U.S. tariffs on goods from China. The...
iOS 18

iOS 18.5 Expected This Week With These New Features

Monday May 12, 2025 7:20 am PDT by
Following more than a month of beta testing, Apple is expected to release iOS 18.5 to the general public this week. While the software update is relatively minor, it still includes a handful of new features and changes for iPhones. Below, we recap everything new in iOS 18.5. Pride Wallpaper Apple recently announced its 2025 Pride Collection, including a new Apple Watch band, watch face,...
macOS Sequoia Feature

Apple Releases macOS Sequoia 15.5

Monday May 12, 2025 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sequoia 15.5, the fifth major update to the macOS Sequoia operating system that launched last September. macOS Sequoia 15.5 comes a little over a month after the launch of macOS Sequoia 15.4. Mac users can download the ‌‌‌macOS Sequoia 15.5‌‌‌ update through the Software Update section of System Settings. It is available for free on all Macs able to run ...
Mayday Calendar

Apple Acquisition Hints at Upgraded Calendar App on iOS 19 or Beyond

Friday May 9, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Apple acquired Canadian startup Mayday Labs in April 2024, according to a European Commission listing, spotted by French blog MacGeneration. The acquisition had not received widespread attention from tech publications until now. Apple is legally required to report certain acquisitions to the European Commission, under the terms of the EU's Digital Markets Act. Mayday Labs founder Jeremy...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

20th Anniversary iPhone Will Be Mostly Glass With All-Screen Design

Monday May 12, 2025 2:52 am PDT by
Apple will mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone X in 2027 by launching a mostly glass, curved iPhone without any cutouts in the display, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Writing in his latest Power On newsletter, Gurman said the all-screen device will arrive later in 2027, suggesting a fall release. The model will be preceded by Apple's first foldable iPhone, claims the reporter....