Out now! iOS 17.4 released with third-party app stores, alternative browser engines
Update:iOS 17.4 is out now for all compatible iPhones. Prepare to update!
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An earlier beta of iOS 17.3 served as a stark reminder that betas are nothing to scoff at and shouldn't be used on daily drivers without an adequately recent backup. In particular, that ill-fated beta caused some iPhones with the Back Tap feature enabled to get stuck in a bootloop, which is never a good thing to experience.
But back to iOS 17.4. What's new and what's changed?
iOS 17.4 new features
From the get-go, there aren't that many changes visible on the outside. In fact, there's little new to play with.
What's major here, however, is Apple complying with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and adopting tons of changes to Safari, the App Store, and iOS itself. The directive, which essentially allows iPhone users in the EU to benefit from sideloading apps from third-party app stores, enjoy non-WebKit-based browsers, and additional safeguards to tone down risks for users will arrive with the public release of iOS 17.4.
Essentially, iOS 17.4 will allow users in the EU to:
- sideload apps from third-party app stores (currently only developers can sideload apps)
- use browsers based on another engine (all iOS browsers right now rely on Apple's WebKit engine)
- choose their default browsers the first time they launch Safari after iOS 17.4
Apple says that it has included more than 600 new APIs as well as expanded app analytics but doesn't miss the opportunity to once again voice concerns about "new avenues for malware, fraud and scams, illicit and harmful content, and other privacy and security threats." One way to combat this is a new safeguard protection dubbed Notarization for iOS apps, which aims to reduce risks by authorizing marketplace developers can peddle apps or take alternative payments.
Still, the word "risk" is used some 22 times in the press release, revealing that Apple is adopting this EU-forced changed very willy-nilly.
Some other features that are featured in iOS 17.4 include:
- Music recognition lets you add songs you have identified to your Apple Music Playlists and Library, as well as Apple Music Classical.
- Siri has a new option to announce messages you receive in any supported language.
- Stolen Device Protection supports the option for increased security in all locations.
- Battery Health in Settings shows battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
- Call Identification displays Apple-verified business name, logo, and department name when available.
- Business updates in Messages for Business provide trusted information for order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts, or other transactions you opt into.
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers enable you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don’t yet accept Apple Pay by typing in your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill.
- Fixes an issue where contact pictures 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 a group they have messaged.
iOS 17.4 sideloading
When sideloading, iOS users in the EU won't be able to benefit from some of the regular perks. For example, purchases of app ouside of the App Store won't be detailed in the latter and Apple won't be able to issue a refund. Family Purchase Sharing and Ask to Buy also won't be compatible with apps downloaded and/or purchased outside of the App Store.
However, App Tracking Transparency will still work with apps coming from alternative stores, so users will be able to forbid apps from sharing tracking their data and sending it to the respective app developer.
iOS 17.4: When is it coming?
Well, iOS 17.4 is out now, so if you have a compatible model, meaning an iPhone XR/Xs or newer, then you're in for a treat.
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Things that are NOT allowed: