iOS 13.4: Features, release date, beta test, and how to install

Apple still has plenty left in store for iOS 13 before moving on to iOS 14 (which we will likely hear about this summer at WWDC). A week after the release of iOS and iPadOS 13.3.1, it began beta-testing iOS 13.4. This point release brings several welcome new features.

Update 02/10/20: Apple has released the first public beta version of iOS 13.4. See instructions below for how to register your device to participate in the public beta.

What’s new in iOS and iPadOS 13.4

We don’t know every little change in the new iOS 13.4 beta—there are no official release notes yet—but here are a few of the things discovered by the Apple community so far.

iCloud folder sharing

Finally, one of the most anticipated features of iOS 13, first promoted at WWDC last summer, is about to be released. With the iOS 13.4, iPadOS 13.4, and macOS 10.15.4 release, users can finally share iCloud folders.

Combined iOS and Mac purchases

Another long-sought-after feature, Apple will finally make it possible for developers to sell iPad and iPhone apps bundled together. The new Xcode 11.4 beta automatically enables “unified purchases” for new Catalyst-based apps, but existing apps can enable the feature, too. 

The change applies to more than just initial purchases, too. In-app purchases can be shared across Mac and iOS versions of an app, if the developer enables unified purchasing.

This change means that Apple is aligning Mac and iOS App Store categories. 

CarPlay features and CarKey

There is evidence that iOS 13.4 and watchOS 6.2 will include a new “CarKey” API that lets car makers build apps that integrate with Wallet, and then let you use your iPhone or Apple Watch as your key to lock, unlock, or start your car (provided your car has NFC key capabilities).

CarPlay is apparently adding new navigation and call controls for third-party apps, but we’ll need to wait for app updates in order to see how they work.

New Memoji stickers

There are nine new types of Memoji stickers.

@reneritchie

New Mail toolbar

The Mail app has a new toolbar, with four common functions: Send to Trash, Move Message, Flag, and Reply. The Reply button opens a panel with a host of common functions like reply, reply all, forward, and archive.

IDG

iPhone SE 2/iPhone 9 support?

If the rumors of a March release for a new lower-cost iPhone (called either the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 9) are correct, then this would be a good time to start testing an iOS point release with support for the new models. We don’t have any confirmation of whether this is the case or not, but don’t be surprised if data sleuths find references to the new model hidden in the code.

How to get the iOS or iPadOS 13.4 beta

Registered iOS developers can head to developer.apple.com/download on the device to which you want to install the new beta software. From there, you can download and install a profile. 

Make sure the profile is enabled by heading to…