iOS 17.4 release in just a few days with these big new features and fixes

If you live in the European Union, iOS 17.4 will be a mass upgrade. On January 25, Apple began beta testing the update and described many of the changes that affect apps and the App Store experience on iPhone. The primary goal of this edition is to harmonize with the Law on Digital Markets in the EU, whose deadline is March 6. We expect Apple to release iOS 17.4 sometime near that date.

There are around 600 new APIs, expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser engines, NFC access for mobile payment systems, and options to process app payments and distribute iOS apps outside of the App Store. Commissions have also been reduced, to 10 percent for the first year for most developers (and for subscriptions after the first year) and 17 percent for all digital transactions. This is almost halved compared to rates in the rest of the world.

Update February 27: The release candidate for iOS 17.4 is now available. It will arrive on all iPhones next week, just before the EU’s deadline to comply with the Digital Markets Act.

iOS 17.4: New features in the EU

Apple’s press release details all the changes intended for the EU and they are big, bringing alternative app stores and payments, along with a host of other changes, including:

• New options for distributing iOS apps from alternative app markets: New APIs and tools that allow developers to offer their iOS apps for download from alternative app markets.

• A new framework and APIs for creating alternative app marketplaces: Marketplace developers can install apps and manage updates on behalf of other developers from their dedicated Marketplace app.

• New frameworks and APIs for alternative browser engines: Developers can use browser engines, other than WebKit, for browser apps and apps with an in-app browsing experience.

• Interoperability request form: Developers can submit additional requests for interoperability with iPhone and iOS hardware and software features.

There are also new security features for apps that are meant to mitigate the risks Apple says are inherent in downloading apps from places other than the App Store:

• Notarization for iOS applications: A basic review that applies to all applications, regardless of their distribution channel, focused on platform integrity and user protection. Notarization involves a combination of automated checks and human review.

• Application installation sheets: Use notarization information to provide quick descriptions of apps and their functions before download, including developer, screenshots, and other essential information.

• Authorization for Marketplace Developers: Ensures that marketplace developers adhere to ongoing requirements that help protect users and developers.

• Additional protections against malware: Prevents iOS apps from running if they are found to contain malware after being installed on the user’s device.

iOS 17.4: General new features

Other features in beta for users in the US and the rest of the world include:

Apple Cash virtual card numbers: iOS 17.4 makes it easier to spend money from your Apple Cash account by assigning a virtual card number, which can be used as a prepaid debit card when Apple Pay is not available.

New emojis: A number of new emojis, from the Emoji 15.1 standard, are present in iOS 17.4.

SharePlay Music Control for HomePod and Apple TV: Family and friends with an iPhone will be able to control the music on your HomePod or Apple TV, with permission. It works similar to the CarPlay feature that arrived in iOS last year.

Apple Music “Home” tab: The tab that was previously labeled “Listen Now” has been renamed “Home”.

Protection against a stolen device: Users can now choose constantly require a delay when changing security settings, not just when away from known locations.

Podcast Transcripts: The Podcast app will offer transcripts in English, French, German and Spanish for podcast episodes. They can be auto-generated or podcast publishers can supply their own.

Live Stopwatch Activity: There is now a Live Activity when you have the stopwatch on.

CarPlay dashboard experience: In supported vehicles, CarPlay will display information about upcoming maneuvers. Users will be able to switch between the main screen and the dashboard screen by tapping the map configuration button at the top right of the main Maps app screen.

Adjusting the Battery Settings UI: For the iPhone 15 series, Apple includes a “Battery Health” list that shows the battery health. For example, if the battery has no problems, the list shows “Normal”. Tapping the Battery Health list displays a section that shows the maximum capacity, number of cycles, date of manufacture and first use.

iMessage Post-Quantum Cryptography: Apple announced “the most significant cryptographic security upgrade in the history of iMessage” using PQ3, a revolutionary post-quantum cryptographic protocol that advances the state of the art of secure end-to-end messaging.

iOS 17.4: Release Notes

Apple’s official release notes for iOS 17.4 in the US describe several new features coming to the iPhone.

Emoji

• New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain and head nodding emojis are now available on the emoji keyboard
• 18 person and body emoticons add the option to rotate them in any direction

Apple Podcasts

• Transcripts allow you to follow the episode with the text highlighted and synchronized 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, Contrast Enhancement, and VoiceOver

This update includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

• Music Recognition lets you add songs you’ve identified to your Apple Music playlists and library, as well as Apple Music Classical
• Siri has a new option to announce the messages you receive in any supported language
• The protection against stolen devices supports the option for increased security in all locations
• Battery Health in Settings shows the number of battery cycles, date of manufacture and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models
• Caller ID displays the Apple-verified company name, logo, and department name if available
• Business updates in Messages for Business provide reliable information for order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts, or other transactions you’ve opted-in for
• Apple Cash virtual card numbers allow you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don’t yet accept Apple Pay by entering your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill
• Fixes an issue where contact images 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 the group they messaged

The release will also include several security updates that will be released when the public release arrives next week.

iOS 17.4: How to Install Public Beta Candidate

If you want to be among the first to install iOS 174, you can sign up for the public beta and get the release candidate now. The beta installation process has changed in iOS 16.4. Here’s how the new process works now:

1. Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
2. Sign up for the beta software program.
3. Click Register your iOS device.
4. Open it settings app, tap In generalthen Software update.
5. Under Beta Updates, select iOS Public Beta.

It may take a few moments after registration for the beta option to appear in Software Update.

iOS 17.4: How to install the developer beta

You will need to be registered as an Apple developer. Starting with iOS 17, you don’t need to be in the $99/year developer program to access the developer beta. A free developer account is sufficient. You can get it through Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it through the Apple Developer app:

1. Download the Apple Developer app from the App Store.
2. Open the app.
3. Tap Account.
4. Sign in using your regular Apple ID.

If you want to sell apps to the App Store, you’ll need to pay $99/£79 per year for a paid account. Apply to the Apple Developer Program (here) or through Apple’s Developer App. You can compare free and paid accounts here.

Registered developers can choose the public beta version instead Public beta version of iOS on the software update screen. It may take some time after registering as a developer until the option appears in software updates.

Some developers have an Apple ID registered for developer access that is different from the Apple ID associated with their personal Apple account and data. To use a different Apple ID for beta access than the one used in the rest of iOS, open settings > In general > Software update > Beta updates and select Apple ID at the bottom of the screen.

Find out everything you need to know about iOS 17 in our iOS 17 superguide.