Apple just released iOS 17.4, an update that changes various aspects of the user experience in European Union countries. As already widely anticipated, the Cupertino company has adapted to Digital Markets Act and thus opened the iPhone operating system to third-party stores. This means that, once this update has been downloaded, users will be able to download applications from sources other than the App Store (but there is no shortage of controversy).
But the news doesn’t just concern the marketplaces. Users can use alternative payment methods to complete in-app purchases, install web browsers with alternative rendering engines, and even manage the default web browser.
iOS 17.4 is available: alternative marketplaces and more
All the new features introduced by iOS 17.4 are listed in the changelog below:
Apps in the EU
European Union residents will now have new options to:
- Install apps from alternative platforms
- Install web browsers with alternative rendering engines
- Manage the default web browser when you first open Safari
- Use alternative payment options for apps on the App Store that show the external purchases icon
Emoji
- The new Mushroom, Phoenix, Lime Fruit, Broken Chain, and Nodding Heads emojis are now available in the emoji keyboard.
- 18 people and body part emojis now include an option to face them in the opposite direction.
Podcast
- Transcripts allow you to follow the content of the episodes with the text that highlights in sync with the audio in English, Spanish, French and German.
- You can read the full episode transcript, search for a word or phrase within it, or select a location to play from. It is also compatible with accessibility features such as “Text Size”, “Increase Contrast” and VoiceOver.
The update includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
- Song Recognition lets you add detected songs to your Apple Music and Apple Music Classical playlists and library.
- Siri includes a new option to read received messages aloud in any supported language.
- “Stolen Device Protection” introduces the ability to enable a higher level of security in any location.
- “Battery Status” in Settings shows charge cycles, manufacturing date, and first use on all iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
- Fixed an issue where contact pictures were not displaying in the Find My app.
- Fixed an issue for Dual SIM users where the phone number would switch from primary to secondary and be visible to a group where a message was sent.