If you are an iPhone user, make sure to check for a major update now. The iOS 17.4 update is currently rolling out, introducing significant new features.
The most notable addition in iOS 17.4 is support for third-party app stores. iPhone users in the European Union can now download applications from sources other than Apple’s official App Store. This change is a result of legislation from the EU’s Digital Markets Act, marking one of the most significant changes for the iPhone in recent years. It’s important to note that this feature only applies to iPhone users in the EU.
For users in the U.S. and other regions, iOS 17.4 brings new emoji to the table, including 18 new ones such as a mushroom, lime, broken chain, and a burning phoenix emoji.
Another feature in iOS 17.4 is written transcripts for episodes in the Apple Podcasts app, available in English, French, Spanish, and German podcasts.
iOS 17.4 also includes various smaller updates listed in Apple’s release notes:
- Music recognition allows you to add identified songs to your Apple Music Playlists and Library.
- Siri can now announce messages you receive in any supported language.
- Stolen Device Protection offers increased security options in all locations.
- Battery Health in Settings provides battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use details for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
- Call Identification displays verified business information when available.
- Business updates in Messages for Business deliver trusted information for various transactions.
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers allow you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that do not yet accept Apple Pay.
- Fixes various issues, including contact pictures in Find My and phone number display in Dual SIM mode.
To download iOS 17.4 on your iPhone, go to Settings, tap General, and then tap Software Update to update your phone.
Editors’ Recommendations
