Apple has started releasing iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 for eligible iPhone and iPad models. The latest iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 bring a lot of big changes (Changelog), like alternative app markets on iPhones and NFC access for banks and payment providers.
However, these changes are only applicable to the European Union where Apple has been forced to comply with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA). Users in the EU region now also have the option to choose the default browser. Let’s take a look at what’s new in this latest iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 update.
Apple iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4: Changelog and features
With the iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 update, Apple has introduced new mushroom, lemon, phoenix, broken chain and shaking hands emojis. The iOS 17.4 update allows iPhone 15 series users to view battery cycle count, creation date, and more under the Battery Health section.
Additionally, the latest update also brings the option to enable transcripts, allowing users to follow podcasts with text synced to the audio in English, German, French, and Spanish. With this update, Siri has also received new functionality and can announce incoming messages in any supported language. For more details, see the full Apple iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 changelog:
Apple iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4: Changelog
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
