Apple Seeds Third iOS 17.4 Public Beta With EU App Ecosystem Changes

Apple today seeded the third betas of upcoming iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 updates to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its release. The third public iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 betas come a week after Apple released the second betas.

iOS 17
Public beta testers can get the beta by opening up the Settings app, going to the Software Update section, tapping on the "Beta Updates" option, and toggling on the iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 Public Beta. Signing up on Apple's beta testing website is required.

The iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 betas introduce a whole slew of changes for users in the European Union, allowing for alternative app stores and alternative payment methods.

There are new options for choosing a default browser, NFC has been opened up to banks and other financial institutions, and browsers aren't mandated to use WebKit.

Along with these changes, the update also brings new emoji characters, Podcast transcripts, tweaks to Safari, hints of what we can expect from the next-generation CarPlay, and more.

Full details on what's included in iOS 17.4 can be found in our features guide.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

sirdir Avatar
16 months ago

Only the iPhone.
And that's how they designed it to fail. Nobody will develop browsers with their own engine just for european iPhones. It's sad that Apple is so afraid of competition that they don't see how they are holding back their own platforms. The iPad could really replace a computer, if they'd just let it.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Antoniosmalakia Avatar
16 months ago

perhaps a silly question, the UK does not get the app ecosystem changes?
Apparently not, because of Brexit.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tehabe Avatar
16 months ago
Apple implements these rules in a way which have "bad faith" written all over it, it is embarrassing even to think about it. And this a company which earned almost $100 billion in the last fiscal year and the fiscal year before that and before that.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rafagon Avatar
16 months ago
Are the new emojis in there?!?

I can't wait to try them out!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
one more Avatar
16 months ago

perhaps a silly question, the UK does not get the app ecosystem changes?

A short answer is “no”, a more expanded version is here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ios-17-4-introduces-alternative-app-marketplaces-with-no-commission-in-eu.2417417/post-32885437
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Antoniosmalakia Avatar
16 months ago

And that's how they designed it to fail. Nobody will develop browsers with their own engine just for european iPhones. It's sad that Apple is so afraid of competition that they don't see how they are holding back their own platforms. The iPad could really replace a computer, if they'd just let it.
I don’t think I would want it to replace my MacBook, but I certainly wish it was more capable.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)