The iOS 17.4 update for iPhone is expected to arrive any day now, with a wave of revolutionary changes for those in European Union countries — and a series of more traditional iterative updates for everyone.
While the changes heading to EU countries are the most dramatic changes, likely to have the biggest impact on the overall iPhone experience, several useful features are available to everyone, including Siri and CarPlay tweaks.
Let’s run through some of the things coming in the iOS 17.4 update, which should be released sometime this week.
iOS 17.4: What to expect
- Apple Podcast Transcripts: Similar to Apple Music’s song transcripts, Apple Podcasts is getting a new transcription feature that not only presents podcasts in written form, but also allows users to tap specific words to jump to that point in playback.
- CarPlay upgrades: Supported CarPlay vehicles with dual screen capabilities can now switch between screens to focus on the main screen or instrument display by tapping the map configuration button.
- Protection against a stolen device: Previously, Stolen Device Protection could only offer security delays when your device was outside of its known locations, but the iOS 17.4 update now allows these security delays to take place in any location — further increasing the security of your account if your iPhone is lost or someone steals it.
- Caller ID: Calls from companies verified by Apple will now display names, logos, and event departments where available.
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers: These virtual card numbers allow you to pay with Apple Cash even at merchants that don’t support Apple Pay. Simply copy the number from your wallet using Safari AutoFill and continue paying with ease.
- Siri language changes: A welcome addition for bilingual iPhone users, Siri will gain the ability to read messages in other languages supported by the assistant, other than the one it’s primarily set to.
- Support for game streaming apps: Apple has lifted restrictions on game streaming apps on its platform, meaning services like Xbox Cloud Gaming are finally free to make their way to the iPhone.
- Several bug fixes and tweaks including blank contact images in Find My, Dual SIM errors in messages, new Emojis and more.
Meanwhile, those living in EU countries can expect the following changes to the iOS platform on iPhone:
- Support for third-party app markets: The new iOS 17.4 update will enable the existence of a third-party app market alongside the App Store for the first time on the iPhone. Epic Games is already pushing to be one of the first companies to launch its own marketplace on the platform, bringing Fortnite back to iPhone players in the process.
- Wider browser support: iOS 17.4 will allow non-WebKit browsers to appear on the platform for the first time. This opens the door to fully realized versions of popular browsers such as Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox.
- Choose your default browser: A new Safari popup will prompt iPhone users to set their default browser, reminding them that other options are available.
- Third-party in-app payment methods: Users will now be able to choose third parties to process payments for in-app purchases, bypassing Apple’s traditional options for the first time.
- Default NFC and Wallet apps for Apple Pay: iPhone users will now be able to choose the default NFC app and wallet to use with Apple Pay, giving them more freedom when making purchasing decisions.
When will iOS 17.4 be released?
We don’t know the exact date and time when Apple plans to widely release iOS 17.4, but we do know that it will almost certainly come in the next few days. How do we know that? Here’s how:
Usually Apple itself sets the deadlines for when its updates will go live, but this time the company is marching to the beat of a different drum: the European Union.
The changes to the iPhone platform go hand in hand with new EU policy changes aimed at ensuring that digital markets remain open to competition. This new set of regulations has a deadline for what the regulation calls “gatekeepers” (of which Apple is one) to make these changes to their platforms.
That deadline is March 6, which means Apple’s update is likely to arrive today or tomorrow. If Apple misses the deadline, they could be in trouble with the EU again, days after being fined €1.8 billion (~$2 billion) for “abusive App Store rules” related to masking third-party payment options page for streaming services.
How can I update to iOS 17.4?
iOS 17.4 will be available to all users and will be easy to download using your iPhone to navigate Settings > General > Software Update. From here you can tap to install the update and the rest of the process should be automatic.