Apple begins the beta testing of its next iOS 17 build. The iOS 17.4 Beta is now available to registered developers. And it brings some much-awaited features like sideloading, third party app store support, new emojis and more. But you won’t be able to use some of these features right now.
The sideloading feature, long rumored to be coming to iPhones, has been introduced with iOS 17.4. However, it will not be available in all regions, only in limited ones. Nonetheless, it is a welcome addition, giving users more freedom on their iPhones. Security should be enforced through hardware rather than restricting user freedom.
Not many updates were released today, but there are still some other updates. Along with iOS 17.4 Beta 1, Apple also releases iPadOS 17.4 Beta 1, tvOS 17.4 Beta 1, HomePodOS 17.4 Beta 1, and XCode 15.3 Beta.
iOS 17.4 Beta 1 and iPadOS 17.4 Beta 1 come with build number 21E5184i. It weighs around 6GB that can vary by model.
iOS 17.4 Beta 1 Features
- 3rd party app store support (EU)
- App Sideloading (EU)
- Browsers don’t have to use WebKit, instead can use their own engiones (EU)
- Contactless and NFC option in Privacy ans Security settings
- Two new options in recently added Stolen Device Protection settings
- Listen Now in Apple Music is renamed as Home
- Messaging with Siri has more language options to choose from
- Real Time transcription in Podcast
- 30 New Emojis
- Modem Update
- And some other features
The Sideloading and related features are only available in EU to comply with EU laws. As of now there are no information whether this feature will be available in other regions or not. Since the sideloading and third party app store is new, it will take time before we get to experience them as third party app stores are not available yet.
If you have an iOS 17 eligible iPhone, you can get iOS 17.4 Beta 1 after selecting beta update option in Software Update page. Since this is a beta there could be some bugs. You can also wait for the public build release which will be available in a few weeks.
If you decide to opt for beta, you can choose beta updates in Settings > General > Software Update > Beta Updates. Before installing the update make sure to tak backup and charge your iPhone to at least 50%.
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