Why Is iOS 15 Missing Features on Release?

Waiting for Apple to deliver on its promises doesn’t necessarily need to be a bad thing. Looking at it from the bright side, we’d rather Apple ship features when they’re truly ready for public use than deliver a half-baked experience that dampens the user experience.

So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at all the new iOS 15 features that have been delayed and won’t be available from day one.

1. 3D Navigation on CarPlay

Apple Maps on iOS 15 improves GPS navigation with new visuals. You’ll see 3D landmarks, like the Golden Gate Bridge, on a new 3D driving map that displays road details such as turn lanes, median strips, bike lanes, and pedestrian crosswalks.

iOS 15’s Maps app also automatically switches from the standard 2D view to a 3D road-level perspective when approaching a complex interchange. There’s just one problem—CarPlay support for detailed 3D navigation with Maps is coming in a software update later in 2021.

2. Apple ID Legacy Contacts

iOS 15 makes it easier to decide what happens to your Apple ID account and content after you die. You can cherry-pick people who will be permitted to access your Apple ID and personal information when you pass away, like your relatives or loved ones.

Apple is calling this Legacy Contacts, but it doesn’t look like it’ll be ready when iOS 15 launches. Apple’s release notes state that Legacy Contacts has been removed from the iOS 15 beta for reasons unknown, only saying the feature “will return in a future release.”

3. App Privacy Reports

App Privacy Reports, a privacy-focused feature, provide insights into how often apps are accessing your data. When turned on in Settings > Privacy > Record App Activity, your iPhone records every time apps or websites access your location, microphone, camera, photos, and so on.

As you use different apps, the feature creates a seven-day summary of when each app accesses your data. The feature won’t be available from day one, though. According to Apple, App Privacy Reports will arrive “as part of a software update to iOS 15” in 2021 or 2022.

4. Driving Licenses and IDs in the Wallet App

Support for adding state-issued IDs and driving licenses to the Wallet app was non-existent in iOS 15 betas. It isn’t part of the inaugural iOS 15 release either. Instead, it’ll arrive later in 2021.

Adding a driver’s license or ID to your iPhone and paired Apple Watch will let you present it securely at TSA checkpoints via the Wallet app. Arizona and Georgia will be the first US states to implement support for the feature, with Connecticut, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Oklahoma, and Utah to follow, according to an official announcement published on Apple Newsroom.

5. Digital Car Keys

You can add digital car keys to iOS 15’s Wallet to securely unlock and start a car. This requires Ultra Wideband support for spatial awareness in both the vehicle and your device, meaning you’ll need at least an iPhone 12 or Apple Watch Series 6 to make use of this nice feature.

But you already know what we’re about to tell you—don’t keep your fingers crossed for immediate availability because Apple has acknowledged that digital car keys in Wallet won’t be arriving until later in 2021. As mentioned, only compatible vehicles can use digital car keys.

6. SharePlay

SharePlay is another headline feature that won’t be ready for iOS 15’s public launch. Put simply, Apple has said that it needs more time to work out the kinks. SharePlay is now supposed to arrive “later this fall” (at least we now know it’s coming in 2021, not 2022).

With SharePlay, you can share your iPhone’s screen or create watch or listening parties while on a FaceTime video call. All you will need to do for this is start playing a song or video while on a call, though you’ll need to wait before you can start doing that.

7. Universal Control

Universal Control lets you control iPads and Macs using a keyboard, mouse, or trackpad. The mouse pointer moves seamlessly between device screens, no setup required. If you use both your iPad and Mac to get things done, you’ll find Universal Control a productivity boost.

It’s unclear when Universal Control will be available; it’s never made it into iOS 15 betas. Considering that Apple has so far remained quiet on Universal Control, it looks like we’ll have to wait until later in 2021 or 2022 to take advantage of this cool cross-device feature.

Will You Update to iOS 15?

Note that none of the missing iOS 15 features we’ve listed in this article have been pulled permanently. It’s just that Apple needs some additional time to work out the kinks until Universal Control, SharePlay, and other delayed features meet its standards of quality.

But even when Apple does release every feature for iOS 15, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to use them. That’s right, some of the new iOS features are reserved for Apple’s newest devices.