Apple has just released the first development beta of the software for the next major iPhone release, iOS 17.5, as predicted. And, right after that, it’s also available as a public beta version. While there will be a lot of changes in the coming weeks before the final release, early indications are that a lot is to be expected. Here’s what we know.
Apple iOS 17.5 beta is now available.
Updating the application installation
As part of its response to the European Union’s Digital Markets Act, Apple is opening up the iPhone to alternative markets. With iOS 17.5, it looks like there will be a mechanism to do this.
Apple previously said this: “Web distribution, available with a software update later this spring, will allow authorized developers to distribute their iOS apps to users in the EU directly from a developer-owned website.” The groundwork for this appears to be being laid in the first development and public betas.
With this update, users in the EU will be able to install apps from the developer’s website. It will not be active with downloadable apps until the general release of the software in May.
Apple will also make a number of APIs available for integration with the system’s functionality for developers.
Unauthorized trackers
It looks like there will be an update to Find My to make it easier to find trackers who are following you without your knowledge. You can read all about it here. It appears to be in sync with Google introducing its own Find My Network, with Apple and Google working together on common industry specifications.
The new detail is that it appears that the iPhone will be able to recognize trackers that are not certified by Apple, which is currently not the case.
Small redesigns
There are several redesigned elements in iOS 17.5, including a Podcasts widget that changes color dynamically. Similarly, the Books app and the browser passcode icon in the Settings app have had tweaks. As Craig Federighi would say, “Truly, we live in an age of miracles.”
Other things
There is a change for mobile device management so that, according to MacRumors, “MDM solutions can enforce the iOS beta version during device auto-enrollment starting with iOS 17.5 beta.”
There appear to be indications in the iPadOS 17.5 beta, released at the same time, that Battery Health will be a menu item on the iPad in the coming weeks. The same beta seems to have accidentally revealed the existence of the new Apple Pencil. All the details here.
I’ll check back to see what other news the betas reveal.