iOS 17.4 now available with major App Store changes and more

Apple today released iOS 17.4 to the public, a week after releasing the final build to developers. iOS 17.4 is the latest and largest iOS 17 update-to-date, bringing significant changes for users in the EU and globally.

In compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), iOS 17.4 introduces a more open app ecosystem for EU users. Users now have the flexibility to download applications from alternative app marketplaces alongside the existing App Store. The change on the iOS platform is unprecedented for Apple, which has maintained an ironclad grip on how users explore and download apps on the iPhone since the inception of the App Store itself.

Apple is also adding support for third-party payment service providers, meaning that developers can bill users for their apps without having to go through Apple’s billing system. Apple’s in-app purchasing system has been a core argument against the Cupertino tech giant, with companies from Spotify, Epic Games, and others claiming the system to be anti-competitive and unfair.

Commissions that Apple collects per each App Store transaction will also receive changes. Developers will either pay 10 percent or 17 percent as a commission to Apple per each transaction, down from the previous 15 percent and 30 percent rates. Apple will not collect any fee whatsoever from developers who rely on external payment service providers.

iOS 17.4 also unlocks the iPhone’s Near Field Communication (NFC) chip for European banks and financial institutions, paving the way for the development of alternative contactless payment solutions and Apple Pay competitors. Users will also get to select a third-party contactless payment app as a default instead of being limited to the Wallet app.

Beyond the European-specific changes, iOS 17.4 brings improvements for users globally. The update introduces a new set of emojis, iMessage security receives a significant boost with the implementation of a new post-quantum PQ3 cryptography protocol, new changes in the Battery section of the Settings app for iPhone 15 models, transcriptions in Apple Podcasts, and more.

Apple has released the following release notes with iOS 17.4

Emoji

• New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in the emoji keyboard.
• 18 people and body emoji add the option to face them in either direction.

Apple Podcasts

• Transcripts let you follow an episode with text that highlights in sync with the audio in English, Spanish, French and German.
• Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, tapped to play from a specific point and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast, and VoiceOver.

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:

• 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.

Along with iOS 17.4, Apple also released iPadOS 17.4.

Users who wish to download iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 can do so by navigating to Settings -> General -> Software Update on their iPhones and iPads.

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