Apple’s iOS 17.4 update has sent tremors through the tech landscape, particularly when it comes to how we use our iPhones within the European Union.
The App Store’s ironclad rule has loosened significantly – Apple now begrudgingly welcomes third-party app stores onto iPhones within the EU. Developers can also bypass Apple’s payment systems entirely, offering alternative ways for users to pay for apps and subscriptions. Even the NFC chip, historically the exclusive domain of Apple Pay, is opening up to other wireless payment providers.
While the EU-specific changes steal the spotlight, iOS 17.4 offers other major updates for users worldwide. Apple Podcasts embraces the power of automatic transcription in English, Spanish, French, and German. No more straining to catch every word – the text highlights alongside the audio, making it a breeze to follow along or jump to a specific point in a podcast.
The emoji realm gets a vibrant injection of fun with a mushroom, a majestic phoenix, a zesty lime, a freedom-evoking broken chain, and faces shaking in disbelief. Apple refines its inclusivity too, with 18 people and body emoji now facing either direction for richer self-expression.
iOS 17.4 turns your favorite emoji into stickers you can add to photos within the Markup editor. Or, try the new peel, resize, and stick feature in Messages to react to a message or send inline responses bursting with personality.
Other improvements include battery health reporting, where iPhone 15 and 15 Pro users get enhanced battery health information in Settings, including cycle count and manufacture date. Siri can read back messages in any supported language, and stolen device protections gain another layer of defense. And with an update to caller ID, Apple-verified businesses will have their name, logo, and department clearly displayed when they call you. Naturally, a host of bug fixes round out the experience.
How to Get iOS 17.4
Ready to try these features? Head to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone and tap “Download and Install.”
