In addition to bringing new iPhone features to everyone, iOS 17.4 includes App Store changes like sideloading for users in the European Union.
Good morning, everyone, and have a happy Apple Updates Day! If you’ve been wondering how to spend your free time today, iOS 17.4 has been unleashed. To update your iPhone and iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the onscreen instructions to download and install an over-the-air update.
Apple’s release notes for iOS 17.4 don’t mention changes that iOS 17.4 brings to people who live in the 27 EU countries, such as sideloading, alternative app stores, custom browser engines, game streaming changes, NFC access and more.
What’s new in iOS 17.4
iOS 17.4 brings several new features and improvements. For example, Apple will allow game-streaming App Store apps worldwide, paving the way for services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Nvidia GeForce NOW to be available as standalone apps. We’ve outlined other noteworthy changes below:
- Stolen Device Protection while away from home
- Detailed battery health reporting for iPhone 15
- Siri message playback in multiple languages
- Faster access to your Purchased section
- Video apps can disable hand reactions
- Digital clock widget for custom cities
- PQ3 quantum security for iMessage
- Apple Cash virtual card numbers
- Transcripts on Apple Podcasts
- Eight new apps in CarPlay
- Six new emoji
Two features that were tested but didn’t make the cut:
- Stopwatch Live Activity on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island
- SharePlay music control for HomePod and Apple TV
Apple has walked back a change that restricted progressive web apps for users in the EU. Saving web apps to the Home Screen will now also work from third-party browsers that use the WebKit rendering engine.
Changes for EU users
The following changes are available to third-party developers and customers within the EU, as detailed in Apple’s developer documentation and press release.
- Alternative app stores (Setapp Mobile, Epic Games Store, etc.)
- NFC payments in apps in the European Economic Area
- Notarization for apps distributed outside the App Store
- Alternative payment methods in third-party apps
- Expanded analytics reporting for developers
- Links in apps to outside subscriptions
- Default browser prompt in Safari
The iOS 17.4 release notes for customers in the European Union include this section:
Apps in the EU
Residents of the European Union will now have new options to:
● Install apps from alternative app marketplaces
● Install web browser with alternative browser engines
● Manage your default web browser the first time you open Safari
● Use alternative payment options for apps in the App Store with the external purchases badge
Keep in mind that iPhone apps downloaded from alternative app stores won’t support certain platform features, such as Screen Time, Family Sharing, refunding, etc. Apple is required to comply with the DMA by March 6.
Other Apple OS updates
Apple also released matching software updates for the iPhone, iPad, Mac Apple Watch, Apple TV and HomePod, including new AirPods firmware earlier today.
Use the familiar Software Update mechanism to install those updates and bring your devices up to date. Keeping up with the latest software is the surest way to protect yourself against exploits that may compromise your security.
The complete list of security patches will be published later in a dedicated support document on Apple’s website.