Apple has finally released its big iOS 17.4 update to the general public. The company has complied with the EU regulatory authorities to update its platform with the necessary changes oriented toward developers and the public. The update also comes with a plethora of additional features rolling out globally. If you were waiting for the iOS 17.4 update for the iPhone, it is now available for free.
iOS 17.4 released for iPhone with changes imposed by the EU and additional features
Apple has released its major iOS 17.4 update for the iPhone. If interested, you can download and install the latest build from the Settings app on your iPhone. Head over to General > Software Update > and install iOS 17.4 on your iPhone. If you do not see the update, we would advise you to wait a few minutes as it will take time to show up due to high traffic on Apple's servers.
As mentioned, iOS 17.4 is a significant update in various aspects. The update brings system-level changes to the App Store, allowing users to sideload apps on the iPhone through third-party sources. Additionally, developers can now also offer their app stores with their own payment methods. However, these changes are only applicable in countries that fall under the EU.
Apart from this, Apple has also updated the feature set with a boatload of new additions for the global audience. You can check out the full changelog below for more details:
Emoji
- New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in the emoji keyboard
- 18 people and body emoji add the option to face them in either directionApple Podcasts
- Transcripts let you follow an episode with text that highlights in sync with the audio in English, Spanish, French and German
- Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, tapped to play from a specific point and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast, and VoiceOverThis update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
- Music recognition lets you add songs you have identified to your Apple Music Playlists and Library, as well as Apple Music Classical
- Siri has a new option to announce messages you receive in any supported language
- Stolen Device Protection supports the option for increased security in all locations
- Battery Health in Settings shows battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models
- Call Identification displays Apple-verified business name, logo, and department name when available
- Business updates in Messages for Business provide trusted information for order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts or other transactions you opt into
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers enable you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don't yet accept Apple Pay by typing in your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill
- Fixes an issue where contact pictures are blank in Find My
- Fixes an issue for Dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to a group they have messaged
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
While the update does not house features and changes for users in the EU, developers and users can now sideload apps and offer alternative app stores. We will keep you guys updated on the latest features in the update, so be sure to stick around for more details.
