Six new features that have landed with new iOS 17.4 iPhone update
You'll want to update your iPhone ASAP.
After weeks of build-up and anticipation, iOS 17.4 is finally here.
The latest update has been somewhat controversial - not least because of Apple's public dismay about the whole app store palaver - but iOS 17.4 brings with it a whole host of fun new features for users.
Keen to know what latest version actually means? Check out our summary of all the new features...
Advert
1. New app stores (in the EU only!)
As Apple has been talking about for weeks now, it's being forced by the EU's Digital Markets Act into allowing customers in the jurisdiction to download apps from sources other than the App Store.
This has been deemed by the EU a bit of a monopoly, so the floodgates are now open and new app stores will pop up to offer apps that Apple doesn't necessarily have to approve for release. Make no mistake - it's a seismic change, one of the biggest to hit iOS in ages.
However, it's also only applicable in the EU, so if you don't live there, you probably won't notice anything different.
2. Emoji additions
One of the best parts of any major software update is the arrival of new emojis.
This time around there's a flaming phoenix, shaking and nodding heads, a more realistic mushroom, a lime wedge and a broken chain. A bunch of emojis of people and faces now have versions facing in both directions, too.
They might not change your life, but they're great new options for when you want the perfect images to accompany a juicy story on the group chat.
3. Battery cycles
Phone batteries don't last forever, even if smart planning can help them survive longer.
Apple has had some fun charging options for a while now, and a new feature in the Settings menu will let you see not just a percentage of your battery's capacity, but also how many charging cycles it has gone through since you got it.
4. Siri's language improvement
Siri has gained a new auto-translation tool, which will let the smart assistant read out the messages you receive in a language of your choice, rather than just how they were written.
This won't necessarily impact everyone, but if you have multiple languages going on in conversations and you use Siri, it could be a game-changer.
5. Apple Podcast transcripts
Apple's podcasting app is hugely popular, and now episodes will have transcripts attached that you can easily browse.
This could be ideal for those who don't want to rewind to catch something they might have missed, and you'll also have the option to choose different languages.
6. New security delay option
A new security option will let you set up a delay on any security changes you want to make, regardless of where your phone is, to make it harder for anyone who might lift it from your pocket to make key changes before you can work out where it's gone.