iOS 13.5 beta is out with COVID-19 exposure notification API, easier unlocking when wearing a mask

Earlier this month Apple released the first public beta of the upcoming iOS 13.4.5, and today the company has made the third beta available for testing by people who enrolled their devices into the Apple Beta program.

Here's the thing, though. It isn't called iOS 13.4.5 anymore, from this point on it shall be known as iOS 13.5. That's because this version includes a beta iteration of the new exposure notification API, which should aid health authorities track the spread of COVID-19.

This means developers can now start writing apps that take advantage of this API. There's a user-facing toggle to it as well, which lets you opt in or out of participating in COVID-19 exposure notifications.

Because of this new API being added, the new iOS beta is using a different SDK than iOS 13.4, which is why the switch from iOS 13.4.5 to iOS 13.5 became a must.

Otherwise, this build includes easier unlocking of your iPhone with a passcode when you're wearing a mask. If the Face ID sensors detect that you're wearing a mask, then the passcode keyboard will instantly pop up, making getting into your handset that much faster.

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