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iOS 17.4 introduces several new features and enhancements to improve your iPhone experience. These include transcripts in the Podcasts app, security improvements for iMessage, and more. Let’s take a closer look at all the changes iOS 17.4 brings to the table.
1CarPlay’s Instrument Cluster Experience
The Apple CarPlay systemthat connects your iPhone and vehicle now gives you more control over your car’s instrument cluster. On select vehicles with CarPlay instrument cluster displays, you can decide which screen shows what information while navigating.
For instance, you can have turn-by-turn navigation appear behind the steering wheel and set the main display to show your trip progress. On CarPlay head units with a single display, you have to choose one or the other.
2New Emojis
iOS 17.4 also gives you access to 118 new emojis. However, most of these new emojis are variations of existing ones, where the only discernible difference is the ability to choose the direction of the emojis.
Some noteworthy additions include emojis of a phoenix, a broken chain, a head shaking vertically or horizontally, a green lime, a brown mushroom, and four non-gender-specified family emojis.
3Transcripts in Apple Podcasts
The Podcasts app experience on your iPhonealso gets some quality-of-life changes with the addition of support for transcripts. These transcripts are automatically generated, meaning they’ll be available for all podcasts on the platform by default.
To try it when listening to a podcast, tap theTranscriptsicon in the bottom-left corner. Additionally, you can search for words throughout the podcast by tapping theSearchbutton at the bottom. This lets you jump directly to the specified portion.
4Security Updates to iMessage
While not an immediate threat, quantum computers represent a substantial risk to traditional encryption methods, potentially compromising privacy in the future.The Apple ecosystem provides loads of security features to keep you safe, and with iOS 17.4, iMessage getsquantum-resistant encryptionwith the help of Apple’s new PQ3 algorithm.
The PQ3 algorithm offers protection against “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, wherein encrypted data is stolen by malicious actors with the intention of decrypting it in the future, possibly leveraging quantum computers when they become more accessible.
The feature is turned on by default, and all your iMessage conversations will switch to the new protocol once you update your iPhone to iOS 17.4.
5App Store Changes for EU Users
iPhone users in the EU are no longer restricted to the App Store and can use alternative app stores to install apps. You now have the option to download a marketplace directly from its website. However, for it to be usable on an iPhone, these marketplaces must undergo Apple’s approval process.
Once approved and installed, users have the freedom to download any apps they desire, including those that may violate the guidelines set by the App Store—such as game console emulators. Additionally, users can designate a non-App Store marketplace as the default option on their devices.
Initially, Apple planned to remove the option to add web apps to the iOS Home Screen in the EU to comply with the Digital Markets Act while ensuring security and privacy. However, after criticism, the company reversed its decision and issued an update on theApple Developer Support site.
EU users can still add and use web apps on their iPhones, provided they use the WebKit engine. Browsers are also no longer restricted to the WebKit engine, meaning we could potentially get a full-fledged version of Chrome and other browsers with support for extensions.
6Other Minor Changes
Apple has tweakedthe Battery Health section in iOSfor the iPhone 15 models. If you head toSettings > Battery, you’ll see a status indicator likeNormal,Service, orUnknowninstead of a percentage like before.
However, you can tap it to view more details, including the battery health percentage. Additionally, you cancheck your iPhone’s battery cycle counteasily in the Battery Health menu, whereas previously, it was hidden inSettings >General>About.
If youuse the Stolen Device Protection feature on your iPhone, you now have the option to require a security delay even when you’re in a familiar location. Other changes include a new City Digital Clock widget and Live Activity support for the Stopwatch feature in the Clock app.
We strongly recommend youupdate your iPhoneto iOS 17.4, as it brings some quality-of-life changes and continues Apple’s commitment to delivering a seamless and secure experience for iPhone users.
