It's time for iOS 17.4, which radically changes the rules in Europe!

Apple recently released iOS 17.4 And iPad OS 17.4available for all compatible iPhone and iPad devices, brings the big changes that we have analyzed several times in the past weeks to users in the European Union due to the implementation of… Digital Markets Law.

With the iOS 17.4Apple is making sweeping changes to the way the App Store and apps work in the EU, paving the way for third-party app stores and alternative payment systems in the EU. internal control Department And for iPad OSAnd third-party browser support Access to NFC To banks and third party payment service providers. These features are limited to the European Union and changes do not apply to other countries.

However, Apple has made changes globally when it comes to gaming apps. Apple now allows cloud gaming apps such as Xbox cloud games And Nvidia GeForce Now. Minigames, chatbots, and plugins are now also able to use the in-app purchase system.

In addition to these related updates App Storethe iOS 17.4 It introduces new emoji characters and scripts for podcasts in the app Podcaststhe Live activities stopwatch-Improvements to battery status reports on models iPhone 15 And much more.

Here's Apple's full changelog for iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4:

Emoji

• New mushroom, phoenix, lemon, broken chain and shaking heads emojis are now available in the Emoji Keyboard
• 18 people and body emojis add the option to face them in any direction

Apple Podcast

• Transcripts allow you to follow an episode with text that appears in sync with audio in English, Spanish, French, and German
• You can read the entire episode transcript, search for a word or phrase, tap to play from a specific point, and use it with accessibility features like text size, contrast increase, and VoiceOver

This update includes the following improvements and bug fixes:

• Recognize Music lets you add songs you've selected 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 to increase security in all locations
• Battery status in Settings shows battery cycle count, manufacturing date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models
• Call ID displays the Apple-verified company name, logo, and department name when available
• Business updates in messages provide businesses with reliable information for order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts, or other transactions you have signed up for
• Virtual Apple Cash card numbers enable you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don't yet accept Apple Pay by typing your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill
• Fixes an issue with contact images appearing blank in Find My
• Fixes an issue for dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to the group they have messaged

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices. For information about the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Applications in the European Union

EU residents will now have new options to: