Apple’s major iOS updates always garner excitement among iPhone users, eager for new features and improvements. This year’s iOS 17.4 is no exception. With developer beta 2 now available, let’s check out what this release reveals about iOS 17.4 so far.
What’s New in iOS 17.4 Beta 2
On February 6th, Apple dropped the second developer beta of iOS 17.4. The update carries build number 21E5195e. It weighs around 6GB for a full install.
Along with iOS 17.4 Beta 2, iPadOS 17.4 Beta 2 for iPads, watchOS 10.4 Beta 2 for Apple Watches, tvOS 17.4 Beta 2 for Apple TVs, macOS Sonoma 14.4 Beta 2 for newer Macs, macOS Ventura 13.6.5 RC2 and macOS Monterey 12.7.4 RC2 for older Macs, and visionOS 1.1 Beta 1 for Apple Vision Pro have been released. All of these are test versions of upcoming operating system updates for various Apple devices.
This beta introduces some nice improvements:
- A redesigned clock app with a new look
- Updates to the Books app reading experience
- Useful new options in Settings and Analytics
- Bug fixes for notifications and performance problems
Developers are still digging into the changes. But so far, beta 2 seems relatively incremental, refining what beta 1 introduced.
The Headline Features Arriving in iOS 17.4
While light on user-facing changes for now, iOS 17.4 has some major new capabilities in store:
- Third-party app stores – One highly anticipated feature is support for third-party app stores and sideloading apps
- Custom browser engines – Apple is opening up WebKit restrictions. We may see Chrome, Firefox and others reimagined for iOS.
- New developer APIs – for improved messaging, payments, accessibility, automations, car integrations and more. Exciting times for app creators!
- EU App Store changes – complying with new digital regulations, enabling sideloading and alternate payments in Europe.
These are big shifts that could reshape the iOS ecosystem. It shows that Apple does evolve the platform in meaningful ways.
The iOS 17 Journey Rolls On
iOS 17 first arrived last fall and brought widgets, notifications, search, and other enhancements. Since then 17.1, 17.2 and 17.3 iterated on the foundation. iOS 17.4 now takes things up a level. After that, we can expect refinements in iOS 17.5 over the summer. Then this fall, iOS 18 will move things forward again!
The iOS 17.4 beta 2 gives developers a early into major changes ahead. While early betas focus on bugs and stability, the seeds of innovation are there. Each version gets us closer to the public release that unlocks new iPhone potential. Exciting times for Apple users!
