iOS 17.4 is out now, and here's how it'll transform your iPhone

If you own an iPhone, it's time to check for a significant update. The iOS 17.4 update is currently being rolled out, bringing some notable new features. The most notable change is the introduction of support for third-party app stores, a result of the EU's Digital Markets Act. This allows iPhone users in the European Union to download apps from sources other than the official App Store. However, it's important to note that this change is specific to EU users.

For those outside the EU, including the U.S., iOS 17.4 still offers exciting additions, such as 18 new emojis. These include emojis like a mushroom, lime, broken chain, and a visually striking burning phoenix emoji.

The Apple Podcasts app now includes a new feature: written transcripts for episodes. These transcripts allow you to follow along with your preferred podcasts, both reading and listening to the audio. They are accessible for podcasts in English, French, Spanish, and German. Apple notes that transcripts will be automatically provided for new episodes shortly after publication, with older episodes gradually being transcribed.

iOS 17.4 also brings some smaller updates, as outlined in Apple's release notes:

•  Music recognition enables you to add identified songs to your Apple Music Playlists and Library, including Apple Music Classical.
•  Siri now has the capability to announce received messages in any supported language.
• Stolen Device Protection offers enhanced security options across all locations.
•  Battery Health in Settings provides details like battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.
•  Call Identification now displays Apple-verified business names, logos, and department names when available.
•  Business updates in Messages for Business deliver trusted information on order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts, or other opt-in transactions.
•  Apple Cash virtual card numbers enable payment with Apple Cash at merchants not currently accepting Apple Pay, using Wallet or Safari AutoFill.
• Resolves the issue where contact pictures are blank in Find My.
•  Fixes the problem for Dual SIM users where the phone number shifts from primary to secondary and becomes visible to a messaged group.

To install iOS 17.4 on your iPhone, access the Settings app, select General, and then choose Software Update. The page will refresh automatically, displaying the option to upgrade your phone to iOS 17.4.

Explore the array of new emojis introduced in iOS 17.4 for your iPhone, ranging from expressive gestures like shaking heads to inclusive representations of gender-neutral families.

• The iPhone received the iOS 17.4 update from Apple on Tuesday.
• This update features numerous new emojis, such as a phoenix, shaking heads, and representations of gender-neutral families.
•  Explore the array of new emojis introduced in iOS 17.4 and discover the diverse options now available on your iPhone.

The most recent iPhone update, iOS 17.4, has been released, incorporating 118 new emojis, including shaking heads, a broken chain, gender-neutral families, and additional directional variations for some existing emojis.

iOS 17.4 has arrived, introducing support for third-party app stores within the European Union.

Apple has introduced its latest significant iOS update, iOS 17.4, bringing substantial changes, particularly for users in the European Union. In compliance with new regulations, iPhones in the EU now officially support third-party app stores, allowing developers to offer alternative payment options. Notably, web browser makers are no longer obligated to base their apps on Apple's WebKit, and the NFC chip is open for wireless payments unrelated to Apple Pay.

While these transformative updates are specific to the EU, iOS 17.4 offers exciting features for users elsewhere. Apple Podcasts now provides automatic transcriptions in English, Spanish, French, and German, with synchronized text and audio playback. New emojis, including a mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads, add a fun touch. Additionally, 18 people and body emojis can now face either direction.

Other enhancements cover battery health, Siri (capable of reading messages in any supported language), stolen device protection, and virtual card numbers for Apple Cash. A caller ID update displays Apple-verified business names, logos, and department titles. Numerous bug fixes are also included.

Accompanying iOS 17.4, Apple has released iPadOS 17.4, incorporating similar changes, including App Store updates to comply with the EU's Digital Markets Act. Anticipated releases of visionOS 1.1 (for Apple Vision Pro), macOS 14.4, watchOS 10.4, and HomePod 17.4 are imminent.

The latest iPhone update enhances the "Stolen Device Protection" feature. Here's how to activate it.

Apple rolled out a software update on Wednesday that enhances an iPhone security feature designed to safeguard your data, including passwords, credit cards, and personal information, in case your phone is lost or stolen. The feature, known as Stolen Device Protection, was initially introduced with the iOS 17.3 update in January and has now been further fortified with additional security measures in the iOS 17.4 release.

Stolen Device Protection adds an extra layer of security to your phone, making it more challenging for unauthorized individuals to perform actions like making purchases, altering passwords, or wiping data, even if they possess your password. When activated, this feature mandates the use of biometric data, such as Face ID or Touch ID, to execute these tasks.

Additionally, the feature introduces a Security Delay. This means that if you intend to update your Apple ID or password, change your passcode, disable Find My iPhone, or reset all settings, you must wait for an hour before confirming these modifications. This update aims to provide users with a window of time to report their device as lost or stolen, facilitating remote locking of the device.

The combination of requiring biometric data and implementing a one-hour time delay for crucial security settings is designed to increase the difficulty for thieves attempting to gain control of your device.

Options for Stolen Device Protection: Choose between two alternatives.

In the latest update on Wednesday, you now have two options when activating Stolen Device Protection. You can choose to enable the security features whenever your phone is not at a "familiar location," such as home or work. Alternatively, you can choose to activate it continuously, irrespective of the phone's location.

How to activate Stolen Device Protection

After installing the latest iOS update, ensure that you have activated two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. Verify this by accessing Settings, selecting your name, and navigating to Sign-In & Security. If Two-Factor Authentication is not enabled, toggle it on and follow any provided instructions.

According to Apple, it's essential to set up a passcode for your device, utilize Face ID or Touch ID, enable Find My, and activate Significant Locations (accessible through Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services > Significant Locations).

Once you've updated your iPhone and configured these settings, activate Stolen Device Protection. To do this, go to Settings, tap on Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle on Stolen Device Protection.

Additionally, you can choose whether to set the security delay to "Always" or when the device is "Away from Familiar Locations."

Unfortunately, utilizing a VPN will not enable third-party iPhone app stores to function beyond Europe.

After maintaining a tightly controlled ecosystem for many years, Apple has started to loosen its grip with the release of iOS 17.4, allowing access to third-party app stores for the first time. However, this privilege is exclusive to users within the European Union (EU), and attempting to circumvent the restriction using a VPN is not expected to be effective.

As highlighted by 9to5Mac, Apple has published a new support document detailing the measures it employs to ensure that users accessing third-party app stores are physically present within the EU. Two requirements are specified: the user must have an Apple ID set to an EU member state, and a geolocation check verifies the user's physical presence in one of these countries. Apple clarifies that it only collects an indicator of eligibility for using third-party app stores, not the actual location.

The geolocation aspect of Apple's restrictions suggests that even the most advanced VPN services may not successfully bypass them. VPNs can change an IP address to deceive a server about the user's location, but geolocation checks occur on the device itself, typically utilizing GPS, making them resistant to such spoofing.

Apple may employ additional methods to verify a user's location, utilizing an existing system that considers factors like the user's approximate location on a national level (not exact), Apple ID billing address, the region selected in the Settings app, and the type of device in use, as discovered by 9to5Mac.

The app stores are coming

According to Apple, users can access alternative app stores if they temporarily leave the EU during a brief "grace period." However, Apple cautions that an extended absence may result in losing access to certain features, including the ability to install new alternative app marketplaces. While existing apps will continue to function, users won't be able to update them. The duration of this grace period has not been disclosed by the company.

Despite the recent allowance of alternative app stores, one such marketplace is already accessible for download. Named the Mobivention App Marketplace, it targets corporate clients seeking a platform for distributing business-focused apps. Other providers, including MacPaw, Epic Games, and AltStore, have expressed intentions to launch their own app stores soon.

Apple has not provided a specific reason for restricting access to third-party app stores exclusively to EU citizens. However, one possible rationale could be to prevent the concept from spreading to users in other countries. Apple has consistently emphasized concerns about the potential security risks associated with third-party app stores enforced by the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Additionally, these alternative app stores pose a potential threat to Apple's revenues, evident in the substantial fees the company imposes on developers using such platforms. This reflects Apple's apparent concern. Although the company is compelled to allow access to alternative app stores in the EU, no other jurisdiction has adopted a similar stance. It appears that Apple aims to limit the proliferation of alternative app stores as much as possible.

For individuals within the EU, the opportunity to explore these new app stores is readily available. However, for those outside the EU, the only option is to wait and see whether Apple is compelled to open up access in other regions.