The update to iOS 17.4 is available for download. (Image: Tom Eversley, Adobe Stock)
Apple has released the latest version of the iPhone. With iOS 17.4, some fundamental changes and innovations are coming to the smartphone.
Fortunately, we don’t have to do without web apps after installing the update – the Cupertino manufacturer has changed its original plans.
You can find out what new features you can look forward to in our detailed article on the big iPhone update.
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iOS 17.4: All the new features of the update
Sideloading, default browser and gaming apps
Sideloading brings a fundamental innovation to the iPhone. To that Digital Market Act (DMA), alternative app stores can be installed on the iPhone in the future.
Fortnite developer Epic Games is already very interested in making its battle royale game Fortnite available again on iOS, possibly through its own store.
In addition to alternative app stores, there are also alternative payment options for in-app purchases and are no longer exclusively via Apple’s virtual shopping store for applications.
Speaking of paying: Alternative NFC and wallet apps can now be selected for the Apple Pay payment method.
With iOS 17.4 there is for the first time the option to set a default browser – apart from Safari. The browsers on iOS are based on Apple’s WebKit browser engine. In the future, developers will be able to use their own browser engine.
Protection for stolen devices is improved
Stolen device protection can be activated in just a few steps.
With iOS 17.3, Apple introduced an important feature that makes life difficult for thieves.
With theft protection, the smartphone requires additional biometric unlocking, so that the device password alone is no longer sufficient to view or change sensitive data.
Apple has also implemented an additional protection mechanism for particularly critical information. Changing the Apple ID password required re-authentication after an hour – but not in locations defined as secure.
This situation has been adjusted with iOS 17.4 and in the future a second authentication can always be requested via Face ID or Touch ID.
Battery: Practical improvements are coming
The iPhone 15 series gets a practical battery function with iOS 17.4.
The new battery information in iOS 17.4 is initially only available for the iPhone 15 series. The charge status of the battery can now be queried in the settings under “Battery” -> “Battery status”.
The following information is visible with the latest update:
- Battery condition
- Number of charging cycles
- Production date
- First use of the battery
»Siri« instead of »Hey Siri«
In Europey, the voice assistant can now only be addressed with “Siri”. However, the address with “Hey” remains.
In the settings under “Siri & Search”, the “Send messages with Siri” option has also been expanded to include additional languages such as Spanish and French.
Apple Podcasts now has transcript functionality
Apple Podcast supports a transcript function with iOS 17.4.
The developers have revised their own podcast app and now also support transcriptions. Similar to Apple Music or Spotify, the app now displays text for what is being spoken.
You can also search for a specific word or phrase and even skip part of the episode.
New emojis are coming
As is often the case, with a new update comes new emojis.
As with almost every major new release, the emojis are a must. iOS 17.4 also has new symbols and smileys in its luggage:
- Nodding head movement emoji
- Shaking head emoji
- A phoenix (recognizable as a flaming bird)
- A lime
- A mushroom
- A breaking chain
- Different symbols representing families
- More variations of people walking, running, sitting and using different types of wheelchairs
- More variations of people walking with a cane
Apple CarPlay
With iOS 17.4 and supported CarPlay vehicles, Apple Maps offers a new instrument cluster with information about upcoming driving maneuvers.
Users can switch between the main and instrument cluster by tapping the Map Settings button in the upper right corner of the main Map screen, Apple said.
iMessage: New security protocol
iMessage is getting an upgrade.
Apple is introducing a new security protocol for iMessage with the updates to iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, macOS Sonoma 14.4 and watchOS 10.4.
PQ3 protects against so-called “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, in which third parties collect encrypted data in the hope of being able to decrypt it later with a quantum computer.
Apple describes this as follows:
Today we are announcing the most significant cryptographic security upgrade in iMessage history with the launch of PQ3, a groundbreaking post-quantum crypto protocol that advances the state-of-the-art for secure end-to-end messaging. With uncompromising encryption and comprehensive protection measures even against sophisticated quantum attacks […]
More improvements in iOS 17.4
- Vision Pro: The update for iPhone and Apple Watch includes a new feature for the Vision Pro to ignore Double Tab while using the glasses to avoid conflicts with gesture controls.
- Safari: The browser address bar is now wider.
- Dynamic Island: With iOS 17.4, the stopwatch gets a new function. When a stopwatch is started, it now appears on the Dynamic Island and as a live activity on the lock screen.
- Furnishings: After installing iOS 17.4 and restarting, a new welcome screen will appear with the personalized profile picture.
- Shazam: Music discovery can be used to add songs to Apple Music playlists and library, as well as Apple Music Classical.
- Hand gestures: With iOS 17, Apple added hand gestures that triggered effects such as fireworks in many video apps. With iOS 17.4, Apple is integrating an API so that developers can turn off this feature for their apps.
- Caller ID: Caller ID displays the Apple-verified company name, logo, and department name when available.
iOS 17.4: Download and installation
The update to iOS 17.4 is already available for download. To install the latest update, do the following:
- Opens Settings on the iPhone.
- Now go to “General” and then tap “Software update”.
- The update to iOS 17.4 will now appear after a few seconds. Tap “Download & Install” to download the latest version.
Which iPhones will receive the update?
All models that have already received the major update to iOS 17 can download the latest version:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 Mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 Mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd Gen and above)
iPadOS 17.4, macOS 14.4, watchOS 10.4, tvOS 10.4 – download and installation
In addition to iOS 17.4, Apple has released the update for iPadOS 17.4 – other Apple devices will probably follow in the next few days.
How to check iPad, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Mac for updates:
- iPadOS 17.4: Open the settings on the iPad and select “General” -> “Software update”.
- watchOS 10.4: Go to the settings on the smartwatch and tap “General” -> “Software update”. Alternatively, you can trigger the update via the iPhone app under “General” on “Software update”.
- macOS Sonoma 14.4: Click on the system settings and then select “General” -> “Software update”.
- tvOS 17.4: Navigate to the Apple TV settings and select “System” -> “Software update”.
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