Over the last month, Apple has been testing among developers the iOS 17.4 beta, the next big iOS update. Rumors suggested that this week we would see the final version published and that is what happened. Apple has officially released iOS 17.4 and all users can download and install this version which, for many, is the largest and most profound iOS update at least in Europe. Remember that this update introduces profound changes to the iOS architecture to adhere to and comply with the Digital Markets Law (DML) of the European Union.
iOS 17.4 now available, the big (and long-awaited) update to iOS 17
iOS 17.4 is now officially available Worldwide. However, we all know that the profound changes we have been talking about for some time They will only arrive in the European Union to comply with the LMD. These changes include the arrival of alternative application stores, the compatibility of different web browsing engines, the possibility of paying with different payment systems other than Apple Pay, etc. More than 300 changes introduced in the iOS architecture that are available today for developers and users in the European Union.
In addition to these changes, Apple has introduced improvements and new features throughout iOS so that the update would make some sense beyond the borders of the EU. Among these functions we find the automatic podcast transcription on Apple Podcast, new emojis, the Stopwatch integration as Live Activity or the deactivation of automatic reactions by developers in their apps.
Remember that Apple took a step back with web apps since it was initially going to remove them from iOS 17.4. However, a few days ago announced that web apps would remain as is as they were currently in the new update already available a few minutes ago.
You can install the new version of iOS 17.4 by entering from your iPhone to Settings > General > Software Updates, and in a few minutes the update will appear that you can download through your Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, you can do it by connecting your iPhone to your Mac or your Windows computer with iTunes and follow the steps to update to the new version.
An update full of great news
Beyond these main changes, below we leave you a list of the main new features that have been included in the relative betas and that have finally reached iOS 17.4, extracted from an article that we published you a few days ago en Actualidad iPhone.
- Third-party stores may be installed where we can buy and download applications from outside the App Store. These app stores can be set as default instead of the App Store. (Europe only)
- Payment methods external to Apple will be allowed. Developers may include other payment methods and may even link to other websites to make them. (Europe only)
- Internet browsing applications will be able to use their own engines instead of being forced to use WebKit, the Safari engine. (Europe only)
- Banks and payment applications will have access to the iPhone's NFC to be able to use their own payment platforms other than Apple Pay. These payment methods can be configured as default. (Europe only)
- Cloud gaming applications will be allowed. GeForce Now, Xbox Cloud and other platforms will be able to have their own applications without having to resort to Safari to function.
- New Emoji including: mushroom, lime, phoenix, broken chain, head saying "yes" and head saying "no."
- Ability for Siri to read messages in the language of your choice.
- The “Listen Now” tab is now “Home” in the Podcasts and Music apps.
- Podcasts will offer you automatic transcriptions of the podcast you are listening to.
- Safari's navigation bar is longer.
- iPhone Theft Protection (released in iOS 14.3) lets you choose whether the 1-hour delay for making some changes is required always or only when you're away from your familiar locations.
- Improvements in CarPlay (when the new version is released, for now only in the USA).
- SharePlay can now also be used on HomePod and Apple TV.
- The timer now has Live Activity on the lock screen.
- Within the App Store, in your account, you have a Purchase History that includes all purchases made, not just the applications.
- 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 messages you receive in any supported language.
- The battery status in settings shows the number of battery cycles, manufacturing date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
- Caller ID displays Apple-verified company name, logo, and department name when available.
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers let you pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don't yet have Apple Pay by typing your Wallet number or using Safari autofill.
- Fixes an issue where contact images are blank in Search.
- Fixes an issue for Dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to a group they have sent a message to.