Apple right now launched the iOS 17.4 replace that brings some main adjustments to the iPhone (and the iPad) in Europe. Lots of the largest adjustments in iOS 17.4 are restricted to folks within the European Union, however there new additions within the replace which might be obtainable worldwide.
On this article, we have rounded up all the things new in iOS 17.4.
EU Modifications
Apple is altering the way in which the App Retailer and apps function within the European Union with the intention to adjust to the Digital Markets Act. These adjustments are included in iOS 17.4, however are restricted to nations which might be within the European Union.
Different App Shops and New App Retailer Phrases (EU)
App builders within the EU can choose to supply different app shops or set up their apps by different shops, and Apple has a complete new charge construction that goes together with this transformation. There is a new enterprise construction that builders can choose in to, which applies to each apps distributed within the App Retailer and apps which might be distributed by different means.
App builders utilizing the brand new system might want to pay a normal charge of 0.50 euros per person per yr, with the primary million installs supplied without cost. Apps distributed by different app shops can have no fee. Apps distributed by the App Retailer can pay a decreased 17 p.c fee, or 10 p.c for these within the small enterprise program or for person subscriptions older than a yr.
Builders can select to not choose in to the brand new system and may use the present system with the identical 15/30 p.c fee that is obtainable elsewhere on the earth. Apple has a charge calculator to assist builders decide what they will pay with the present setup, with the brand new setup, with the brand new setup utilizing different app shops, and with the brand new setup utilizing the App Retailer.
Customers are in a position to set their most well-liked different app retailer because the default app retailer on their gadget if desired. EU customers will see an choice for this within the Settings app.
There are an enormous variety of behind-the-scene adjustments which might be enabling this characteristic within the EU, with updates to all types of system messaging. Customers within the EU will, for instance, get a pop up warning when an app from another app retailer accommodates malware, and there are new screens for verifying the data from another app.
A Display Time setting will permit mother and father to determine whether or not their kids’s units are in a position to set up apps from different app marketplaces.
Different Fee Choices (EU)
Apple can also be permitting apps to make use of different cost choices of their apps, and there’s no longer a requirement to make use of in-app buy. Builders who distribute apps by the App Retailer and use another cost choice will see a 3 p.c low cost of their App Retailer charges.
Builders who distribute by different apps and likewise use another cost choice can pay Apple no charges past the set 0.50 euro charge per person.
With different funds, purchases for digital items and companies may be made instantly in an app or a developer can select to hyperlink to their web site to have a person make a cost. Apple is requiring builders to make use of a identified, safe cost supplier.
Third-Get together Browser Updates (EU)
After updating to iOS 17.4, EU customers that open Safari will see a pop up that enables them to decide on a brand new default browser choice from an inventory of the preferred browsers on iOS.
Apple can also be permitting different browser engines, and won’t restrict browsers like Chrome to the WebKit engine.
NFC Entry (EEA)
Third-party cost apps and banks have entry to the NFC chip within the iPhone in iOS 17.4, and may supply contactless funds instantly on the iPhone with out utilizing Apple Pay or the Pockets app within the European Financial Space. Customers can set a default contactless cost supplier that prompts at tap-to-pay terminals or when the Facet button on the iPhone is pressed twice.
The choice for setting a default contactless cost supplier is obtainable within the Settings app within the European Financial Space, and this part may also present particulars on all apps which have requested and been granted contactless cost entry.
EEA customers may also change the default Pockets app on the iPhone.
Internet Apps (EU)
Apple initially restricted the performance of Progressive Internet Apps (PWAs) within the European Union in iOS 17.4, however after a detrimental response from EU customers, Apple walked the choice again.
Dwelling Display Internet Apps will not be disabled, however WebKit is required. Internet apps added to the iPhone from a browser that doesn’t help WebKit is not going to work.
Gaming App Modifications (Worldwide)
Streaming recreation apps at the moment are allowed on the App Retailer worldwide, which suggests companies like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce NOW may be supplied as standalone iPhone and iPad apps.
Apple beforehand solely allowed cloud gaming companies to be supplied through the net, however devoted apps that allow customers stream video games from servers at the moment are permitted.
Mini video games, chatbots, and plug-ins are additionally now in a position to make use of the in-app buy system.
New Emoji
iOS 17.4 introduces new emoji characters that embrace lime, an edible brown mushroom, a phoenix, a damaged chain, shaking head vertically (as in a “sure” nod), and shaking head horizontally (a “no” head shake).
There are additionally 18 folks and physique emojis that now have the choice to face in both route.
These emoji are a part of the Unicode 15.1 replace that was authorized in September 2023.
Messaging with Siri
The Routinely Ship Messages setting underneath Siri & Search has been renamed “Messaging with Siri,” and there’s an choice to set Siri to learn incoming messages in a selected language like Spanish, French, German, Chinese language, and plenty of extra.
The change doesn’t replace the first language that Siri listens in and responds to, however is restricted to message playback.
Podcasts and Music
The “Hear Now” tabs within the Apple Music and Podcasts apps have been renamed to “Dwelling.”
Podcasts additionally makes use of the Apple Music Now Taking part in bar when collapsed.
Podcast Transcripts
The Podcasts app now provides transcripts, just like how lyrics work within the Apple Music app. You possibly can comply with together with an episode because the textual content is highlighted in sync with the audio.
Podcast transcripts can be found in English, Spanish, French and German, and the transcripts help looking for a selected phrase or phrase.
Music Recognition
Songs which were recognized with music recognition may be added to Apple Music Playlists, the Apple Music Library, and Apple Music Classical.
New iMessage Safety Protocol
With iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 Apple is introducing a “state-of-the-art” post-quantum cryptographic protocol for iMessage known as PQ3.
PQ3 protects towards “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” assaults the place a malicious actor collects encrypted information with the hope of decrypting it with a quantum laptop in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later. Quantum computer systems are anticipated to finally be capable to make large-scale calculations that will permit them to decrypt content material secured with conventional encryption strategies, however that will not be potential with PQ3.
iPhone 15 Battery Well being
Apple in iOS 17.4 modified the Battery interface within the Settings app on iPhone 15 fashions. These units now present Battery Well being with a readout comparable to “Regular,” for a fast at-a-glance technique to see the standing of the iPhone’s battery.
Tapping into the battery well being readout reveals the battery cycle depend, manufacture date, and first use will probably be listed. This info was beforehand hidden within the Normal > About part of the Settings app.
Apple additionally up to date the help info for the battery, as the corporate retested and located that the iPhone 15 battery can keep 80 p.c of its unique capability at 1,000 full cost cycles.
Stolen Machine Safety
Within the Stolen Machine Safety part of the Settings app, there’s now an choice to require a safety delay at all times or solely when away from acquainted areas.
Apple says that this characteristic is designed to present customers the choice for elevated safety in all areas.
Stopwatch Dwell Exercise
iOS 17.4 provides a Dwell Exercise operate for the Stopwatch characteristic on the iPhone. When activated by the Clock app, the Stopwatch now reveals up within the Dynamic Island and on the Lock Display.
There are controls for pausing the Stopwatch, clearing it, and beginning a brand new lap.
Name Identification
Name identification in iOS 17.4 shows Apple-verified enterprise names, logos, and division names when the data is obtainable.
Messages for Enterprise
With Messages for Enterprise, companies can present opt-in info for order statuses, flight notifications, fraud alerts, and different transactions.
Apple TV App
The “How you can Watch” part within the Apple TV app that reveals the place a film or TV present may be seen now has an inventory interface moderately than a card interface.
App Retailer
The App Retailer’s Buy characteristic now reveals account-wide buy historical past for an Apple ID. It contains TV and film purchases, music purchases, subscriptions, and app purchases, and it’s the similar interface that’s obtainable when accessing the acquisition info for any Apple ID.
Apps are nonetheless listed, however underneath a brand new “Apps” part.
There is a new Metropolis Digital Clock widget that may be added to the Dwelling Display or Lock Display.
Apple Money Digital Card Numbers
Within the Pockets app, Apple Money customers can generate a digital card quantity to make purchases when Apple Pay just isn’t an choice.
Actual-Time Apple Card, Apple Financial savings, and Apple Money Funds App Integration
Apple in iOS 17.4 is giving third-party funds apps real-time info on Apple Card, Apple Money, and Apple Financial savings accounts transactions for up-to-the-minute funds reporting.
Hand Gesture Reactions in Video Apps
With iOS 17.4, there is a new API for builders that can be utilized to show off hand gesture reactions in video calls. iOS 17 added a gesture reactions which might be enabled by default in all video calling apps, resulting in awkwardness when transferring the fingers in sure methods throughout critical calls.
On-line therapists and different professionals have had so as to add disclaimers concerning the characteristic, as there was no technique to flip it off on the supplier’s finish. Following iOS 17.4 and macOS Sonoma, builders can flip off the fireworks, confetti, and different choices of their apps. Customers have been already in a position to flip off reactions on their iPhones, iPads, and Macs within the Settings app.
Hey Siri
With iOS 17.4, the choice to say Siri as a substitute of Hey Siri is now obtainable for French, German, and Spanish audio system.
CarPlay Instrument Cluster Replace
In supported CarPlay automobiles, there’s now an Apple Maps choice to point out details about upcoming turn-by-turn maneuvers within the instrument cluster. CarPlay customers will be capable to swap the show sort between the principle and instrument cluster by tapping on the map configuration button positioned within the higher proper of the principle Maps display screen.
The choice is obtainable in automobiles that help the dual-screen Apple Maps CarPlay expertise.
Subsequent-Era CarPlay Help
Subsequent-generation CarPlay is about to launch within the U.S. later in 2024, and code in iOS 17.4 references eight new CarPlay apps.
- Automobile Digital camera: This app will show the automobile’s rear-view digicam feed.
- Cost: For electrical automobiles, this app will show battery degree, charging standing, time remaining till the battery is absolutely charged, and extra.
- Local weather: This app will present entry to a automobile’s local weather controls inside CarPlay, permitting you to regulate the temperature of the A/C or heating system, fan velocity, heated seats, heated steering wheel, and extra.
- Closures: This app will show if any of the automobile’s doorways are opened, and it may also show automobile warning symbols.
- Media: This app will present entry to FM and AM radio station controls inside CarPlay, together with different media choices like SiriusXM. It’s unclear if SiriusXM will supply satellite tv for pc connectivity, or stay restricted to web streaming. Customers will be capable to choose from an inventory of music genres, comparable to High 40 and Rock.
- Tire Strain: This app will show air strain for every of the automobile’s tires, and supply low strain, excessive strain, and flat tire warnings.
- Journeys: This app will present a wide range of driving-related information, together with the automobile’s common velocity, gasoline effectivity or power effectivity, the overall time elapsed and distance traveled on a visit, and extra.
A picture in iOS 17.4 beta means that CarPlay may also probably show a “Goodbye” display screen after the motive force shuts off the automobile.
Bug Fixes
There are two bug fixes in iOS 17.4. The replace addresses a difficulty that would trigger contact pictures in Discover My to be clean, and it fixes a Twin SIM drawback that would trigger the quantity utilized in a gaggle message to alter from major to secondary.
Safety Updates
iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 repair a number of vulnerabilities, together with two that will have been actively exploited to realize entry to person units.
Apple patched an RTKit vulnerability and a WebKit vulnerability that it says could have been exploited, so it’s a good suggestion to replace immediately.
Learn Extra
For particulars on the entire options which might be included within the iOS 17 replace, we have a devoted roundup.
