With iOS 17.4 now available, Apple is almost closing its iOS 17 cycle as WWDC 2024 approaches. With this update, the company offers one of the most significant updates for iPhone users in ages. Although the biggest change focuses on European users, here’s everything we know about this software update.
Release date
Apple released iOS 17.4 on March 5 to iPhone users.
European Union exclusive features
European Union users have the following new features:
Marketplaces – or alternative app stores: App developers in the EU can choose to offer their apps in alternative app stores as long as they meet Apple’s criteria for customer experience, support, and fraud prevention, among other changes.
Notarization for iOS apps: A baseline review that applies to all apps, regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform integrity and protecting users. Notarization involves a combination of automated checks and human review.
Default browser options: EU users can choose a new default browser from a list of the most downloaded browsers on iOS devices just after they update to iOS 17.4.
NFC third-party access: Banks and third-party payment services can be offered for European iPhones.
More access: Developers can ask for additional hardware and software features for Apple.
iOS 17.4 beta 1 features
These are the iOS 17.4 features that are going to be available to all users.
Gaming app changes: Streaming game apps will be available on the App Store globally, which includes Xbox Cloud Gaming and GeForce NOW, offering games inside their own apps.
Messaging with Siri: Siri can read incoming messages in multiple languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, French, German, and more.
Home tab: Apple Music and Podcasts’ Listen Now tab is now called Home.
Podcasts Transcripts: The Podcasts app now offers transcripts for every podcast episode.
New emojis: 28 new emojis are available with iOS 17.4. You can discover them here.
Stolen Device Protection changes: Apple has added an option that a double authentication can always be required instead of only unfamiliar locations.
Beta 2 features
Most features of beta 2 are small improvements rather than new functions:
Home tab: Apple Books also got a new Home tab. It replaces the old “Read Now” option.
Clock Widget: Apple is working on a new widget called City Clock. There are three new options at the moment.
AirPods on Android: Apple keeps working on a new notification that shows on your iPhone when your AirPods are being used on an Android device or Windows PC so you can switch the connection back to your phone.
Beta 4 features
While beta 3 didn’t have any expressive change, beta 4 is responsible for two main features:
iPhone 15 battery lasts longer: Apple says that the iPhone 15 can hold at least 1,000 complete cycles with up to 80% of total battery life, compared to 500 cycles of its predecessors. In addition, there’s a new Battery setting that shows the cycle count of your iPhone, when the battery was manufactured, and when it was first used.
New iMessage protocol: iMessage is also being upgraded with iOS 17.4 with a new post-quantum cryptographic protocol that improves end-to-end secure messaging. You can learn more about it here.
Release Candidate notes
These are all the features Apple announced for iOS 17.4:
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 direction
Apple 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 VoiceOver
This 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 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
Compatible iPhone models
With iOS 17.4 now out, it’s compatible with the following iPhone models:
- iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd gen)
- iPhone 12 mini and iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Below, you can learn more about iOS 17, including existing and upcoming features.
