While there are more streaming services than ever, Netflix is likely to be one of the first ones you think of. From Stranger Things to Squid Game, the streaming giant has consistently pulled in millions of subscribers, but if you're watching it on an older iPhone or iPad you may need to trade up to get your next binge-watch fix.

Netflix's app will soon no longer support iOS 16 or iPadOS 16, as per MacRumors. That means you'll need to update to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 to continue using the app, but older devices won't be able to make that jump.

Notably, 2017's iPhone X and iPhone 8 models will be stuck with iOS 16, as well as anyone using the original iPad Pro.

Netflix won't work on these devices soon

The full list of affected devices is as follows:

• ‌iPhone‌ 8 and 8 Plus
• ‌iPhone‌ X
• ‌iPad‌ (5th gen)
• ‌iPad Pro‌ (1st gen)

While you, the discerning iMore reader, has likely upgraded since those devices were launched, it might be worth letting family members know their options to stop them from being marooned without Wednesday, Money Heist, or Bridgerton.

Netflix recently stopped letting users pay for their subscriptions via the App Store in order to get around Apple's cut of payments.

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Apple has extended the amount of time you have to decide to continue your AppleCare+ plan from 30 days to 45 days — a welcome change that means you don't have to jump into any quick decisions.

Previously, when your AppleCare+ plan for the best iPhones, iPads, Macs, or Apple Watches ended, you'd only have 30 days to extend the coverage. Now, the AppleCare+ extension support document on Apple's website states customers can opt to extend within 45 days of their initial plan ending.

You'll be able to choose from 24-month, 36-month, monthly, or annual plans to ensure you get full coverage for accidental damage as well as an extended warranty on your Apple products. This is fantastic, as in the past when AppleCare+ extensions weren't a thing, you'd often need to upgrade just for peace of mind. 

45 days to decide on AppleCare+

The new AppleCare+ 45-day extension offering is valid in Australia, Austria Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Some countries, like China, still have a 30-day extension period.

To extend your AppleCare+ coverage head to Settings on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to show how much of your plan is left and if it has expired. Make sure to decide within 45 days though because once that period ends, you'll be stuck with an unprotected Apple device.

AppleCare+ is a fantastic option for anyone looking to protect their Apple devices and something that we highly recommend for most users. If you'd like to know our thoughts on AppleCare+, check out our guide: Is AppleCare+ worth it? to find out.

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• iOS 17 review: Top 10 features ranked
• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet
• How to use StandBy mode in iOS 17

While all the eyes may be turning to iOS 18 and its big Apple Intelligence feature release, there’s still some life left in the iOS 17 software generation. Most importantly, iOS 17 is still getting software updates. And a re-release of the recent iOS 17.6.1 proves just how important they can be.

iOS 17.6.1 was released around two weeks ago at the start of August. The minor iPhone software update fixed an important bug related to the Advanced Data Protection feature. More specifically, there were problems with enabling or disabling the feature.

But now, Apple has re-released the same update, but with a new build number. The original software release carried the build number of 21G93, but this re-release ups it to 21G101. It's rare for Apple to re-release software versions, especially weeks after it first came out to users. At the moment, it's unknown why Apple has re-released the update. I assume that it's to implement further bug fixes for the Advanced Data Protection issue.

To make sure you're on the newest version of iOS 17.6.1, head to Settings > General > Software Update. You'll see the new software update available under the same name.

What did iOS 17.6.1 originally fix?

There was a pesky bug that messed up the Advanced Data Protection feature, which is Apple's way of making sure your iCloud data is locked down. Some users found themselves stuck where they couldn’t properly enable or disable Advanced Data Protection. It’s worth noting that this bug only affected a small number of users.

Apple’s fix ensured that those unlucky few who encountered this glitch will now have their Advanced Data Protection status accurately reflected. And if you were one of those who thought you’d disabled it but really hadn’t, expect a notification asking if you really meant to turn it off.

More from iMore

• iOS 17 review: Top 10 features ranked
• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet
• How to use StandBy mode in iOS 17

Apple dropped the Journal app onto the iPhone with iOS 17.2 late last year, but it still feels lacking.

Aside from being consigned to the smartphone (here's hoping it comes to other platforms soon), it just doesn't offer the same robust feature set you'll find in a competitor like Day One.

Thankfully a new patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (thanks, Mac Observer) may have suggested the next step for the Journal app, and it'll tie in nicely with Apple Intelligence to help recommend things to jot down to look back on later.

Is the Journal app about to get an AI upgrade?

According to the patent filing, Apple will expand on the current suggestions the app offers, where it pulls photos and locations to create entries.

New features could include push notifications for logging events, a new timeline-style entry, and AI prompts like "how was your run" based on what you've been doing on a given day.

We could also see a Journal widget on the iPhone home screen, and some of the images in the filing suggest we could get an iPad version, too, although this isn't outright discussed.

As always, it's worth remembering companies of Apple's size will regularly submit patents and not all are used, but here's hoping for a more robust Journal app experience in the coming years.

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While all the eyes may be turning to iOS 18 and its big Apple Intelligence feature release, there’s still some life — and cool new tricks — left in the iOS 17 software generation.

Apple’s just revealed iOS 17.6, pushing the update out to all iPhone users to safely download without the niggling fear of bugs that the accompanying iOS 18.1 dev build release comes with.

Releases like iOS 17.6 usually focus on bug fixes and security needs, and iOS 17.6 is no different in that respect. But it still had space for a late-in-the-day feature addition for iOS 17, in the shape of ‘Catch Up’, which should excite Apple’s sports streamers.

Keeping up with the action

If you’re streaming a sports game through the Apple TV app following the iOS 17.6 update, and happen to miss some of the action you’ll now be able to access a ‘Catch Up’ feature. This collates highlights from the game so far, are offered at the start of an in-progress stream, and can be accessed at any time if you pull up the video controls.

The catch to Catch Up? It’s currently limited to Apple’s Major League Soccer season pass streams. But the assumption is that it’ll spread to Apple’s other sporting ventures eventually too.

Regardless of whether or not you want to relive Messi’s best MLS moves again and again via Catch Up, you should be nabbing the iOS 17.6 update just for its security-bolstering aspects. Download iOS 17.6 by tapping through Settings > General > Software Update.

As for iOS 18? While the full Apple Intelligence experience in the public release of iOS 18 is now expected to be delayed beyond the launch of iPhone 16 in September, you can get a taste of Apple’s big AI push in the also-just-launched iOS 18.1 developer beta release.

More from iMore

• iOS 17 review: Top 10 features ranked
• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet
• How to use StandBy mode in iOS 17

When Apple released iOS 17 in 2023 it brought with it an updated Podcasts app that changed the way it handled new podcast episode downloads — and it's a change that one podcast network says is costing it cold, hard, cash.

According to podcast network Audioboom, the iOS 17 change has cost it $9 million in revenue for the six months ending June 2024, arguing that this was the reason behind a modest revenue growth of 7% to $34.1 million.

The change is one that has previously been problematic for podcasters and podcast companies thanks to the way it altered the way the Podcasts app deals with podcasts that iPhone and iPad owners resubscribe to.

Downloads fell to 94.8 million from 125.9 million a year ago

A Proactive report notes that Stuart Last, Audioboom's chief executive, puts the blame for the company's lower-than-expected revenue growth squarely at Apple's door.

Before iOS 17, iPhone owners who resubscribed to a podcast would see all of the episodes that they missed be automatically downloaded. With iOS 17 or later, that behavior was changed — now, only new podcast episodes released after the user resubscribed are downloaded.

This change, predictably, impacts the revenue that podcasters and networks receive from ads because the number of episode downloads has fallen as a result.

"Due to the Apple changes, downloads dropped to 94.8 million in the second quarter from 125.9 million a year ago, though this was in line with the decline across the industry," the report explains, citing Last.

As a result of the news, Audiboom's share price fell 6%, again reflecting the impact a seemingly minor change can have on a company like Audioboom.

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When iOS 18 ships later this year it will bring support for RCS to the iPhone for the first time. RCS will allow iPhones to send and receive rich messages with Android devices and function similarly to iMessage, but some people report that they're seeing RCS-like behavior with older versions of iOS as well.

Read receipts are part of the RCS specification and they're one of the features iPhone owners are already looking forward to when chatting with their Android-toting friends and family. But some people say that they are already seeing SMS messages marked as "read" even when using older versions of the iPhone's operating system and long before iOS 18 ships to the public.

Some of those reporting this experience say they are using iOS 17, but oddly others say that they have experienced the same thing as far back as iOS 13, suggesting that this is more a bug than a feature.

Getting the message

A new post on Reddit includes a screenshot from an iPhone reportedly running iOS 17 complete with "Read" text beneath a green bubble. The poster says that the status started to appear on messages last week, while others have chimed in to say they're experiencing the same thing.

However, others say that this has been happening for a long time now, suggesting that perhaps Apple has a bug that it's yet to squash rather than this being some pre-launch RCS configuration on Apple's end that is bleeding over into iOS 17 devices.

As for iOS 18, that's currently available in developer beta while a public beta program will go live later this month. A final global public release isn't expected until September, though.

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Rise and shine! What usually happens when you wake up first thing in the morning? An alarm? Is there a pet waiting to be fed? Or a child wanting to watch more Bluey episodes? For me, it’s waking up and looking at my iPhone in Standby mode — a forgotten feature from iOS 17.

You’d be forgiven for not knowing what this feature is — WWDC 2023 was mostly about Apple’s Vision Pro headset. But when iOS 17 was announced at the same keynote last year, Senior Vice President of Engineering, Craig Federighi, made a big deal about how your iPhone could be used as a souped-up alarm clock that could also show your Calendar, your Photos, and the Weather, all from StandBy mode.

To enable it, you have to put an iPhone running iOS 17 in landscape mode and then plug it into a charger. This can be done either with a wired connection or through its MagSafe charging feature at the back, then iOS will suddenly change the iPhone’s display into something that looks like an enlarged widget.

I’ll admit — I forgot about this feature for a while. It wasn’t until I attached my iPhone to Anker’s MagGo PowerBank in landscape mode last week that the feature suddenly jumped out at me. Good timing too, as this was around when ESR sent me a QI2 3-in-1 charging stand. I thought this was a perfect opportunity to see how StandBy could improve my iPhone’s bedside manner.

The Big Breakfast Wakeup Call

Before using this stand, I’d use a USB-C cable to charge my iPhone 15 Pro Max while I fell asleep, just so it was fully charged by the time I’d be up the next morning. This method worked, but I couldn’t charge my AirPods Pro 2 — nor could I quickly glance at my iPhone without using Face ID to unlock the iPhone’s display.

This all changed once I started using ESR’s 3-in-1 Wireless Charging stand. When I snapped my iPhone to its MagSafe charger, StandBy mode instantly appeared on my iPhone and I had a souped-up bedside display.

The Photos app showed me photos of my son, and the Calendar app helpfully surfaced upcoming events. As a bonus, with this stand, I’d watch YouTube videos as the iPhone was attached to the stand, so I didn’t have to keep holding my iPhone in my hand as before.

The stand also has a feature that lines up well with my dissolution with the Apple Watch. In May, I’d simply had enough of the wearable. watchOS 10 was a terrible update in regards to functionality — moving Control Center to a physical button was its worst feature in my opinion. But above all, I was just sick of the constant taps I’d get on my wrist from Slack, WhatsApp, and Stand Goals from Apple’s Fitness app. ESR’s stand has a detachable Apple Watch charger, I can pretend that Apple’s wearable doesn’t exist even more thanks to this feature.

Apple, can you please remember StandBy?

It’s thanks to both Anker’s MagGo PowerBank and ESR’s Qi2 charging stand that I can now appreciate how useful StandBy can be for my iPhone.

I’d love to have seen some improvements to StandBy in iOS 18, such as Live Photos that could play during a slideshow and more customization options to change up the look of StandBy displays, similar to what’s being offered on the Home Screen in iOS 18.

Regardless, I’m happy to bear the lack of improvements for this year. StandBy with ESR’s charging stand is a fantastic combination, and I’m going to make sure that the stand comes with me if I stay in a hotel in the future, just so I can have StandBy wherever I sleep.

Whether you want to protect yourself from certain content or keep an eye on what your kids are up to, blocking websites in iOS 17 is an invaluable tool that can keep yourself and loved ones safe from scams, adult content, gambling, and more. 

Thankfully, iOS 17 includes multiple tools to help keep unwanted websites at bay, including a general adult content filter and tools to block targeted, specific URLs. 

If you want to go the whole hog there's even a tool that can be used to block all websites except ones that you deliberately whitelist, a handy way to manage a device given to a child or someone who's less tech savvy. 

Here are all three options and how to block websites in iOS 17. 

How to limit adult content in Safari for iPhone and iPad

The first and easiest way to block websites in Safari is simply to turn on the "limit adult content" setting in Apple's Screen Time settings. This will create a blanket ban on websites generally considered to be adult, including porn and gambling, and requires the least effort. Here's how to do it:

1. Launch Settings from the home screen
2. Choose Screen Time
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions

4. Toggle Content and Privacy Restrictions
5. Select Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content
6. Tap Web Content
7. Choose Limit Adult Websites

How to block specific websites in Safari for iPhone and iPad

If limiting adult content isn't enough, or you happen to notice a URL that has slipped through the cracks, you can always block any URL you want with restrictions. The steps are very similar:

1. Launch Settings from the home screen
2. Choose Screen Time
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions

4. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions
5. Select Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content
6. Tap Web Content
7. Choose Limit Adult Websites

8. Tap Add a Website under NEVER ALLOW
9. Type the URL of the website you wish to block in the Website field
10. Select Back at the top left

Repeat this process for each site you'd like to block. Keep in mind that if certain websites have mobile sites, you may need to block them separately. If you find a site that's still getting through after you attempt to block it, visit that site and look in the Address Bar of Safari to make sure you're blocking the correct URL. Copy it if you need to and paste it into the field.

How to block everything and whitelist only specific sites in Safari for iPhone and iPad

For very young children, or if you simply want to make sure nothing is accessible except what you specifically allow, you can disable everything and then only turn back on the sites you consider permissible, like Apple or Disney.

1. Launch Settings from the home screen
2. Choose Screen Time
3. Tap Content & Privacy Restrictions

4. Toggle Content & Privacy Restrictions
5. Select Select Store, Web, Siri & Game Center Content
6. Tap Web Content
7. Choose Allowed Websites. This setting means only the websites you add are allowed to come through, and everything else is blocked

8. Tap Add Website
9. Add Title and URL for a custom website that you wish to add to your allow list
10. Choose Back

Keep unwanted content off your kids' devices

There you have three different ways to block websites on iPhone. Each one is progressively more comprehensive, and as such requires slightly more steps each time. As mentioned, we would generally recommend starting with the general "limit adult websites," before progressing to more specific URL blocking if you want stronger controls. The "allowed websites" setting we'd generally recommend the most for devices used by young children. Using these tools will take away any worries of your children using one of the best iPhones. 

Apple has just released beta 3 for iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 to developers. The software update for the best iPhones is available for developers signed up to the program to use for testing purposes. Those developers enrolled in the program will find the new software in the Settings app under Software Update.

The latest update comes a week after iOS 17.5 beta 2 arrived, and three weeks after Apple first rolled out the iOS 17.5 beta. This version only contains bug fixes and enhancements to make the software more stable ahead of the full roll-out in the coming weeks.

iOS 17.5 contains more minor features than anything groundbreaking. Most of the biggest features of iOS 17 are already released. There's a minor update to the podcast widget for the home screen, and some other changes to the app ecosystem in line with the EU's requirements. You'll also find Quartiles, Apple's new word game. that rivals Wordle in the Apple News app.

The public release draws closer

It looks like Apple is slowing things down on the iOS front ahead of WWDC 2024. iOS 17.5 beta 3 doesn't contain any major new features, but rather bug fixes and stability enhancements. This is as Apple gets closer to the public roll-out, which we're expecting to be released at the beginning of May. It would make sense for this software release to coincide with Apple's 7 May "Let Loose" event, where we expect to see new iPads unveiled.

At the developer conference, we expect to see the announcement of iOS 18 – Apple's next major update. Here, we expect a slew of new features, the biggest of which will be powered by AI. Siri is set to get a major overhaul thanks to AI, as well as other new features across the iPhone experience.

Remember that you should only install and use new iOS developer betas with caution, and should avoid using it on your main device where possible. Beta testers and developer getting their hands on it allows them to provide Apple with feedback, which can be used to implement the update at a later date. If you're signed up to the developer betas, you'll see the new software when you try to update your iPhone.

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Apple released new betas of iOS 17.5 on Tuesday, and the company now says it has addressed a bug that caused the Palestinian flag emoji to appear when searching for “Jerusalem.” 

As we reported last week, Apple faced a wave of criticism after it emerged that iOS 17.4.1 would surface the Palestinian flag when a user typed “Jerusalem” into the emoji search field. Notably, a viral post from UK TV presenter Rachel Riley raised the issue.

Now, Apple has confirmed to iMore that the iOS 17.5 update fixes this issue. In 17.5, typing “Jerusalem” will not show any flag in either the emoji search field or in the predictive text field in the Messages app on iPhone. This is in line with the behavior of all other country flag emojis in iOS, which do not surface when you search for a city in either field.

iOS 17.5 arrives

At present, this fix is only available in the iOS 17.5 developer beta 2, released on Tuesday. Apple did also release the public beta of iOS 17.5 on iPhone this week. Both are freely available to download on iPhone in the Software Update section of General Settings. 

The biggest change coming to iOS 17.5 is a new Web Distribution tool that will only be available in the EU. As Apple continues to tackle the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act, it is expanding the ways in which developers can distribute apps on iPhones. Developers can now create alternative app marketplaces. More recently, Apple also added Web Distribution, aka sideloading, as a means to download apps directly from a website onto your iPhone akin to downloading software on macOS. 

While sideloading will be available to all iPhone users in the EU, the feature is more limited in terms of developer eligibility. Developers who want to take part must have been in good standing with Apple’s Developer Program for two years and must have had an app with more than one million downloads in the prior calendar year, largely precluding small or first-time developers.

While Apple continues to tweak iOS 17, largely in response to the DMA, all eyes are now on WWDC 2024, which will take place beginning June 10. Apple AI is expected to take center stage as part of iOS 18, macOS 15, and beyond. 

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Apple has released iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 beta 2 to developers. The software update for the best iPhones is available for developers signed up to the program to use for testing purposes. Those developers enrolled in the program will find the new software in the Settings app under Software Update.

This comes two weeks after Apple first rolled out the iOS 17.5 beta. It's expected to only contain bug fixes and enhancements to make the software more stable ahead of the full roll-out in the coming weeks.

Not much has changed

iOS 17.5 contains more minor features than anything groundbreaking. Most of the biggest features of iOS 17 are already released. There's a minor update to the podcast widget for the home screen, and some other changes to the app ecosystem in line with the EU's requirements. And, as we mentioned, the second beta only contains bug fixes and enhancements to stabilize the software experience.

It looks like Apple is slowing things down on the iOS front ahead of WWDC 2024. At the developer conference, we expect to see the announcement of iOS 18 – Apple's next major update. Here, we expect a slew of new features, the biggest of which will be powered by AI. Siri is set to get a major overhaul thanks to AI, as well as other new features across the iPhone experience.

Remember that you should only install and use new iOS developer betas with caution, and should avoid using it on your main device where possible. Beta testers and developer getting their hands on it allows them to provide Apple with feedback, which can be used to implement the update at a later date. If you're signed up to the developer betas, you'll see the new software when you try to update your iPhone.

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• Law enforcement's GrayKey iPhone unlocking devices now support iOS 17 and the iPhone 15 for the first time
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As part of Apple’s ongoing endeavor to comply with the European Commission’s Digital Markets Act, the company today rolled out its previously-announced web distribution feature to iPhones in the EU, via the new iOS 17.5 beta 2. 

Apple says its new Web Distribution tool, first unveiled in March, will provide “more flexibility for developers who distribute apps in the European Union,” along with the option to create an alternative app marketplace already available on iOS in the EU.

Apple has also revealed the process for sideloading in the EU, which will look quite a lot like installing apps from the web on macOS. Users will be presented with a prompt to give an app’s developer permission to install, as well as important security information.

Sideloading with limitations

Not only is Apple’s Web Distribution limited to the EU (there’s no prospect of it coming to the U.S. or anywhere else anytime soon), it’s also more limited than other forms of iPhone app distribution in terms of which developers will be eligible. 

To be eligible, developers must be enrolled in Apple’s Developer Program in the EU, be “a member of good standing in the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more,” and have an app with more than one million first annual installs on iOS in the EU in the prior calendar year. 

That criteria would disqualify Epic Games and its Fortnite app (which has been unavailable on iPhone for years because of a spat between the two companies), as well as most small-time developers. Developers must also agree to be “responsive” to communications from Apple regarding fraud and malicious behavior and must publish transparent data collection policies. 

As with alternative app marketplaces, developers who ship apps via Web Distribution will also be subject to Apple’s controversial Core Technology Fee (CTF), which will charge a €0.50 commission “for each first annual install over one million in the past 12 months,” with updates counting towards that total. By way of example, a developer with 1.5 million Web Distribution downloads would owe Apple €0.50 for 500,000, or €250,000, irrespective of how much money their app has actually made, if any at all. A developer who finds their app going viral could be on the hook for a hefty bill, possibly before they’ve made any money. 

As Apple continues to try and appease the European Commission, the bloc has already opened investigations into Apple over its default browser screen and the fees for its alternative app marketplaces, almost certainly including the aforementioned CTF. The company has also updated its rules for music streaming apps like Spotify and opened up the App Store worldwide to game emulators and game streaming apps like Microsoft’s Xbox Cloud and NVIDIA GeForce Now.

The latest iOS 17 beta is available from the Software Update section of General Settings on all of Apple's best iPhones. 

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Apple says it will fix an unintentional change to its iPhone software in a future update after it emerged that the emoji menu in iOS 17.4.1 now shows a Palestinian flag emoji when users search for the word "Jerusalem" in some countries. 

As reported by the BBC, Apple has faced criticism after it was uncovered that the Palestinian flag emoji was being automatically suggested to iPhone users who type "Jerusalem" into the emoji search field. The change was publicized by UK TV presenter Rachel Riley in a viral post on X. In the post, which has nearly 400,000 views, she stated "Dear Apple, Apple Support, Tim Cook, I’ve just upgraded my software to version iOS 17.4.1, and now, when I type the capital of Israel, Jerusalem, I’m offered the Palestinian flag emoji. This didn’t occur on my phone immediately before this update." 

Riley, who is Jewish, went on to offer a "non-exhaustive" list of other capital cities that don't surface a flag in the emoji search field, "let alone the wrong one." She criticized the move stating "Showing double standards with respect to Israel is a form of antisemitism, which is itself a form of racism against Jewish people," and asked, "whether this is an intentional act by your company, or whether you have no control over rogue programmers." 

Apple responds

Apple told iMore that the company is aware of a predictive emoji bug in the iPhone's keyboard. The company says this is not intentional, and that the issue will be fixed. Apple didn't say when this would be, but it seems reasonable to assume that it could be done in fairly short order and as part of a minor software update to iOS 17. 

According to one commenter, the issue was only present on keyboards where the iPhone's keyboard was set to English UK, English Singapore, and English South Africa. Several other keyboards including English U.S., didn't show the Palestinian flag emoji in the same circumstances. Initial iMore testing also appears to reflect the issue is not present in the U.S. 

It's not the first time Apple's iOS software has caused issues in this way. The company attracted strong criticism internationally and from Ukraine in 2019 after it changed the designation of Crimea and Sevastopol in Apple Maps at the behest of the Russian government. Apple amended the change later for users outside of Russia. 

Also in 2019, the company was criticized for removing the Taiwan Flag emoji from the iOS emoji keyboard in Hong Kong and Macau. 

More from iMore

• Taiwan Flag removed from emoji keyboard on iOS for Hong Kong and Macau users
• Apple now labels Crimea as part of Ukraine, but not in Russia

iOS 18 is widely expected to be announced at WWDC 2024 on June 10, but there's still plenty of life left in iOS 17 yet.

Despite a few weeks without a new beta, it appears we could see iOS 17.5 arrive as a beta later this year. This comes via a private social media account as seen by 9to5Mac, which the site says has "a strong track record", and is backed up by 9to5Mac's data.

As for what's coming in iOS 17.5, there could be more concessions to satisfy the Digital Markets Act. iOS 17.4, which arrived in March, introduced alternatives to the App Store in the European Union, as well as additional features we've listed in full.

Could iOS 17.5 see developers allowed the option to offer their apps via download from their websites? Time will tell, but 9to5Mac suggests the update could arrive as soon as this coming week for beta testers.

iOS and the Digital Markets Act

It's certainly not gone to plan for Apple when it comes to the DMA. The company reinstated Epic Games' developer account following pressure from the European Union and the Fortnite developer, only to ban it again, and then reinstate it again after the EU asked further questions.

Big brands including Epic, Spotify and more branded Apple's changes, including allowing additional digital storefronts, as 'a mockery of the DMA', suggesting the changes don't go for enough.

And, while Apple isn't expected to allow iMessage on Android to satisfy the EU or the DOJ in the US, RCS is expected to come to the iPhone later this year.

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EU Competition chief Margrethe Vestager says that Apple’s compliance with the Digital Markets Act should include the option to make apps like Photos uninstallable on iPhone, an objective the company currently isn’t meeting. 

It comes following the announcement that the European Commission is investigating Apple’s compliance with the DMA. On Monday, the bloc announced it was looking into Apple (as well as Google and Meta) because it suspects the measures put in place by all three “fall short of effective compliance of their obligations under the DMA.” Specifically, the Commission has concerns about Apple’s “anti-steering” measures still present, and fees attached to its alternative app stores policy. Vestager's remarks also reveal that the EC is focussing on the uninstallation of certain apps and the default status of others, giving us a clearer picture of the EU’s vision for iOS and the user experience on Apple’s best iPhones it wants to enforce. 

Vestager noted Monday that the third DMA investigation into Apple pertains to Article 6 (3) of the DMA, stating “gatekeepers have an obligation to enable easy uninstallation of apps and easy change of default settings,” and “must also display a choice screen.” While Apple has started to offer users a default browser selection screen on iPhone in the EU, the Commission believes that this measure doesn’t go far enough and that Apple also needs to go even further regarding its other default apps. 

Who even needs a Photos app anyway?

“Apple also failed to make several apps un-installable (one of them would be Photos),” Vestager stated, adding that Apple also “prevents end-users from changing their default status,” citing “Cloud” apps as another example. Vestager didn’t elaborate on what kind of solution it expects Apple to provide in this regard, but the prospect of uninstalling the Photos app sounds like a recipe for disaster at first glance. 

Nearly all iPhone users would consider the Apple Photos app to be a core iPhone experience, much like the Phone or Messages app (both of which the EU has also highlighted previously). It seems to me that being able to uninstall the Photos app would offer almost no benefit to users. Once removed, either by choice — or more likely accidentally — users would be left with no way to browse or share their photos on iPhone. There is also the prospect that this could pose a risk that users could lose their photos if not handled properly. The App Store has a myriad of alternative photo apps from rivals including Google, Amazon, and more, which are free to download at a user’s leisure. As is often the case, the best iPhone apps for users tend not to come from Apple, and are readily available from the App Store, usually for free. Speaking to iMore, a spokesperson for the EU Commission confirmed that as it stands, the EC says "Apple has not demonstrated so far that all of the remaining six apps that cannot be deleted are indeed essential to the functioning of the operating system." If Apple wants these apps to remain a part of the core iPhone experience, it seems like it needs to do more to convince the EU of this fact. 

While a default screen for photo apps similar to the browser screen might give users more choice, simply offering the option to uninstall Photos seems arbitrary, and could have unintended consequences. Even if Apple did offer a choice screen, there’s no guarantee that would satisfy the EC either. Vestager’s remarks also note that “the current design of the web browser choice screen deprives end-users of the ability to make a fully informed decision. Example: they do not enhance user engagement with all available options.” Vestager may be hinting at Apple’s choice to only show a randomized list of the 11 most-downloaded browsers in any given EU territory alongside Safari. At a DMA workshop last week, one complainant asked Apple “Will Apple institute mandatory forced scrolling” so as to ensure users check all the browser alternatives? As commenter Kay Jebelli, a computer engineer and competition lawyer, notes in response to Vestager’s comments, “It seems that mandatory forced scrolling is indeed a requirement of DMA compliance.” Elaborating further, he claims “The fact that Safari is displayed randomly points to the inconvenient truth that the EC will have to face, some people will want to pick Safari (and will likely even scroll for it) regardless of how much friction the EC forces into the system,” which begs the question “how far will the EC be willing to go to prop up competitors?” 

Whatever the case, the EU is clearly not happy with Apple’s current position on how it offers browser choices to its users, and that there is more action to come regarding other apps, regardless of whether or not it will actually benefit users. 

More from iMore

• Apple opens the floodgates in Europe
• Apple's allowance for non-Webkit web browsers in the EU has web developers worried
• Apple releases iOS 17.4 for iPhone with huge EU App Store and browser changes

If you own an iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Pro or just have an iPhone running iOS 17, the information held within it is now less secure than you might think. That's after the company behind the infamous GrayKey device confirmed that iOS 17 is now no longer enough to stop law enforcement officers from gaining access to iPhones.

GrayKey devices are used by law enforcement throughout the world as a way to gain access to locked iPhones and other devices, but until now iOS 17 was not supported by those iPhone-cracking boxes. Now, that's no longer the case after Magnet Forensics, the company that makes GrayKey boxes, announced the news that iOS 17 support has been added.

This news isn't only bad for iPhone owners, either, with Magnet also confirming that the Samsung Galaxy S24 series of devices as well as Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 phones can also now be accessed even when locked.

Cracked

In a post on the company's blog, Magnet said that it was "thrilled to announce that Magnet GrayKey supports the latest Apple iOS and Android devices" including those running iOS 17.

"The new OS and device support added in this huge release helps to ensure you have the tools necessary to access the mobile devices you encounter during your investigations," the blog post added, noting that approximately 66% of all iPhones and iPads were running iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 as of February this year. The figure "jumps to 76% for devices introduced in the last four years," Magnet adds.

The move means that even the latest iPhones can now be unlocked by law enforcement should the need arise.

More from iMore

• An unredacted GrayKey NDA outlines instructions given to law enforcement
• This is how law enforcement uses GrayKey devices to access locked iPhones
• The FBI reportedly extracted data from a locked iPhone 11 Pro last year

Update: An earlier version of this article incorrectly described iOS 17.4.1 as a beta. The article here has been changed to more accurately describe the software as a final release.

Apple has released iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 to developers -- part of the wider iOS 17 software that was introduced at WWDC 2023. According to Apple's release notes, iOS/iPadOS 17.4.1 comes with a bunch of security updates and bug fixes. 

For customers who are still on iOS 16, Apple has also released an iOS 16.7.7 security update. This release comes before the expected iOS 17.5, which should introduce more feature-related changes.

As always, Apple offered little explanation for the patch, other than the standard description the company offers for this type of fix: "This update provides important bug fixes and security updates and is recommended for all users.”

A distraction from... the thing?

In all honesty though, Apple has bigger fish to fry today than a minor software rollout.

Earlier today, Apple was hit with a bombshell lawsuit from the Department of Justice in the US. It alleges Apple holds a smartphone monopoly that it deems is allowing Apple to "extract more money from consumers."

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said, "Apple has gone from revolutionizing the smartphone market to stalling its advancement.” The lawsuit will look into Apple's policies which are said to be anti-competitive. The iOS 17.4.1 beta has probably been scheduled for a while now. But having it release after this latest development is going to be a nice distraction from lawsuit news. At least, for the time being.

More from iMore

• Apple releases iOS 17.4 for iPhone with huge EU app store change
• iOS 17.4's new browser choice screen explained 

Apple has confirmed it has terminated Epic Games' developer account just weeks after it was reinstated, derailing the Fortnite maker's plans to release the Epic Games Store on iOS. 

In a press release, Epic stated "We recently announced that Apple approved our Epic Games Sweden AB developer account. We intended to use that account to bring the Epic Games Store and Fortnite to iOS devices in Europe thanks to the Digital Markets Act (DMA). To our surprise, Apple has terminated that account and now we cannot develop the Epic Games Store for iOS. This is a serious violation of the DMA and shows Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices."

Epic says it was gearing up to deliver the Epic Games Store to iPhone users in the EU following the new Digital Markets Act, which comes into force this week. Epic says that "In terminating Epic’s developer account, Apple is taking out one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store,"  and "are undermining our ability to be a viable competitor." 

In a statement to iMore Apple said:

"Epic’s egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate ‘any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion.’ In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right.”

Why was Epic Games developer account terminated?

Epic Games says that "one of the reasons they terminated our developer account only a few weeks after approving it was because we publicly criticized their proposed DMA compliance plan," specifically citing a post from CEO Tim Sweeney which stated:

Apple leadership faces some massive decisions in the coming weeks as the contradictions between their stated principles and the intended and actual consequences of their present policies are reckoned with: the app store monopoly, the digital goods payments monopoly, the tax, the suppression of true information about competing purchasing options, the blocking of competing web browser engines and outright destruction of web apps.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Apple is a few bold and visionary decisions away from being the company they once were and that they still advertise themselves to be: beloved brand to consumers, partner to developers, and overlord to none.

According to the release "Apple also claims that Epic is a threat to their ecosystem," a reason Epic calls "entirely unjustified." The company says it applied for a developer account "through Apple's official process", with Apple reinstating the developer account a few weeks ago. 

Epic says it was "transparent" about its intentions with Apple privately and publicly, but was denied a DMA consultation offered by Apple. Epic Games Store GM Steve Allison emailed Craig Federighi on Feb 21 to express Epic's disappointment. Prior to that, on February 16, Allison told Federighi "Epic intends to exercise its rights under the Digital Markets Act to develop and distribute the Epic Games Store as an alternative app marketplace on iOS devices in the EU." 

In a sharp retort, Apple's Phil Schiller noted "Epic has entered into agreement with Apple and then broken them" in the past, noting Sweeney's own testimony that it chose to intentionally breach its agreement with Apple given during the App Store lawsuit. Schiller also highlighted his testimony noting Epic did this "to make a point and for financial gain." He also cited Sweeney's fiery remarks about Apple's compliance with the DMA, where he labeled Apple's plan as "hot garbage." Schiller said Sweeney's "colorful criticism" of the plan and Epic's past practices "strongly suggest" Epic doesn't intend to follow the rules, asking for written assurance. "Please tell us why we should trust Epic this time," he stated. 

Apple told iMore that its right to terminate the account is based on the September 2021 court ruling in the App Store lawsuit Epic filed against Apple. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers stated "Apple has the contractual right to terminate its DPLA with any or all of Epic Games’ wholly owned subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at Apple’s sole discretion.” As such, Apple says there is no further need to justify its decision. However, it did further note Epic has shown itself to be untrustworthy, even in the face of contractual agreement, the same reasons it denied Epic's bid to get its account reinstated in 2021. Apple also confirmed its termination of the Epic Games Sweden account is not limited to the EU, given that both Epic's Fortnite "hotfix" and the the injunction that allows Apple to terminate its account are global. 

The only other piece of correspondence shared is a letter from Apple lawyers stating that Apple has terminated Epic Games' developer account "effective immediately." The letter, sent March 2 to Epic's counsel, said that Tim Sweeney's email dated February 23 was "wholly insufficient and not credible", boiling down to "an unsupported 'trust us'." In his email, Sweeney said Epic was "acting in good faith and will comply with all terms of current and future agreements with Apple." 

Lawyers for Apple said that "Epic is verifiably untrustworthy" and that Sweeney's "minimal assurances" and his "curt response" were undercut by his public attacks on Apple's policies.  

Epic Games warned that "If Apple maintains its power to kick a third party marketplace off iOS at its sole discretion, no reasonable developer would be willing to utilize a third party app store, because they could be permanently separated from their audience at any time."

This week Apple rolled out iOS 17.4 on iPhone. In the EU, the new software update allows for developers to create alternative app marketplaces to distribute apps outside of the App Store. 

More from iMore

• Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney says Apple 'must be stopped'
• Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney decries 'corporate propaganda' campaigns
• Epic Games would have accepted special deal with Apple, says CEO

Apple has revealed how iOS 17.4 will display its list of alternative browsers on iPhones in the EU as part of the company’s wider compliance with the Digital Markets Act, which takes effect this week. 

The headline change to iOS is, of course, alternative app marketplaces, which will let users download apps from outside the App Store. However, Apple is also being forced into changes around how it displays browser settings to its users. Specifically, it must now offer users “a new choice screen that provides EU users an additional way to choose a default web browser from a list of options.” While choosing a new browser in iOS has been around for years, this new prompt will be displayed to every EU iPhone user the first time they open Safari after updating to iOS 17.4, and when purchasing a new iPhone. 

The screen, at first glance, is quite confusing for one obvious reason: there doesn’t seem to be any semblance of order or design to the list of choices. One exuberant commenter noted on X “did they print out icons of all of the browsers, put them in a cup, shake it around, throw them on the floor, and list them in the order they fell out in because that is the only explanation I can think of.” Turns out, that’s pretty much it.

iOS 17 Browser choice screen 

Apple notes that to be eligible for consideration, browsers must have the Default Browser Entitlement available to developers and have been downloaded “by at least 5,000 users across all the EU App Store storefronts on iPhone in the prior calendar year.” Apple selects up to 11 of these for the browser choice screen in addition to Safari, updating the list once per calendar year. 

Apple says, “on a user’s device browsers will be shown in a randomized order per user,” meaning no one will ever see the same list. Apple has even listed the current browser cohort for each of the 27 eligible EU countries on its website alphabetically for ease. A couple of big names stand out and are present on every list, notably Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Opera. However, there are also some names you probably haven’t heard of, including Onion Browser, Yandex, and hilariously in Sweden, Blackberry Access. 

Figures published Wednesday by Opera and shared with iMore reveal the results of a 4,000-person survey conducted across the EU, which show 83% of mobile device users are open to testing a new browser. While 91% said that more choice and transparency when choosing a browser was important to them, 49% said they had never changed their default browser, and 20% didn’t even know they had the option. Jørgen Arnesen, EVP Mobile at Opera said, “This is an exciting moment for Opera and the European tech scene in general… We believe that open digital ecosystems are better for businesses, consumers, and society. And as a European-made challenger browser, we relish the opportunity to more fairly compete against the defaults – especially when the vast majority of the respondents we surveyed said they were considering trying out a new browser after March 6th.”

While the browser choice screen might be a welcome change to some users, all of the browsers on offer will run on Apple’s WebKit framework, meaning all of the differences are really surface level. Part of Apple’s major changes announced for iOS also includes new frameworks and APIs for developing browser engines other than WebKit, which will let rivals like Chrome and Edge build their own browsers from the ground up, should they so choose. There are no new native browsers on the horizon as yet, however, so for now the EU is stuck with this browser choice screen. 

The latest version of iOS 17 complete with these changes is available to download on all of Apple's best iPhones now. 

More from iMore

• Apple releases iOS 17.4 for iPhone with huge EU app store and browser changes
• Apple Podcasts in iOS 17.4 offers automatic episode transcript text
• Apple backtracks iOS 17.4 web app changes in EU

Apple's iOS 17.4 iPhone software update has been in beta testing for weeks, but it's finally now available for download by everyone. And while there are new features and changes for all, those in the European Union will notice more than most.

The iOS 17.4 software update is available for all the same iPhones that were able to install iOS 17 and subsequent releases, including the latest and greatest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models. The update is of course free to download and can be found in the Software Update section of the Settings app.

While the biggest changes are of course available to those in the EU, that doesn't mean that there isn't something here for everyone.

Big changes for the EU

There's only one place to start and that is undoubtedly with the changes that are exclusive to those who are using iPhones in the EU. With the Digital Markets Act about to come into force, Apple has been forced to make changes to the way the iPhone works in EU member countries, not least allowing third-party app stores onto the iPhone for the first time.

While stopping short of allowing sideloading in the way some had expected, iOS 17.4 does allow third-party app stores, or marketplaces, to be launched within the EU. apps will then be downloaded via those marketplaces allowing apps to be made available outside of the App Store in a way that simply wasn't possible before — and remains impossible outside the EU. Apps will also be able to offer third-party payment options, too.

Another EU-only change will see third-party web browsers able to use their own engine, removing the requirement for them to use Apple's WebKit. This could open the door to faster web browsers with different features, but it remains to be seen how many browsers will offer two versions of their app — one in the EU using a different engine and another in the rest of the world powered by WebKit.

Continuing the EU changes we have the ability for third-party wallet apps to access the iPhone's NFC chip, allowing them to make contactless payments in a way similar to Apple Pay.

Podcast transcriptions

The Apple Podcasts app now supports transcripts, allowing people to follow along with their favorite show and read what the hosts are saying as they go. The feature works in much the same way as Apple Music's lyrics feature, with the words highlighting as the podcast progresses.

New emojis, and more

Other notable improvements include a slew of new emojis including a mushroom, phoenix, broken chain, and a slice of lime. New faces showing horizontal and vertical movement can also be used to show a nodding and shaking of the head, too.

Apple has already announced its new iMessage security upgrade with PQ3 technology, and that's part of this iOS 17.4 update. Designed to help protect iMessage from future attacks using quantum computing, the new feature won't be visible to users but is future-thinking to ensure Apple's messaging protocol remains secure in the future.

Finally, Apple has improved the Stolen Device Protection feature to allow people to always require a delay when changing security settings while a Siri tweak enables the assistant to read messages in additional languages, not just the default system language.

More from iMore

• Here's what's new in iOS 17.4: Alternate app store support for EU and more
• Apple Podcasts in iOS 17.4 offers automatic episode transcription
• Next-gen Apple CarPlay features confirmed by iPhone's iOS 17.4 beta

With the release of iOS 17.4 this month Apple will finally allow people to install third-party app stores on their iPhones, a move that will stop short of allowing sideloading but still allow Apple to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. But the company continues to argue that the move, which it opposes, will make iPhones less safe for those who use them in the region.

Apple has been beta testing the iOS 17.4 update for weeks and is expected to release it to the public next week ahead of the DMA's March 6 deadline. That deadline will require a number of things, including support for third-party app stores, with Apple saying that it has had to build more than 600 new APIs and developer tools to allow it to fully comply with the EU's requirements.

Now, in a new paper published on the company's security website, Apple says that its requirement for all apps to be distributed via the App Store has allowed it to protect users effectively, and that's about to change. It argues that " iOS has never allowed a widespread consumer malware attack on users, adding that it's "exceptional for a 17-year-old, modern computing platform." The new changes being forced by the DMA, it argues, " mean we will not be able to protect users in the same way."

Security matters

The document, titled Complying with the Digital Markets Act, argues that there will now be a difference between the levels of protections afforded iPhone users in the EU and those in the rest of the world. However, it says it is working to ensure iPhones remain as safe as possible despite the requirement to support app stores other than its own.

"While the changes the DMA requires will inevitably cause a gap between the protections that Apple users outside of the EU can rely on and the protections available to users in the EU moving forward, we are working tirelessly to make sure iPhone remains the safest of any phones available in the EU by reducing the risks introduced by these necessary changes — even though we cannot entirely eliminate such risks," the document explains.

The document then goes on to detail the steps Apple is taking to try and ensure user privacy, security, and safety. Those steps include requiring that all apps be notarized regardless of where they are downloaded from as well as requiring that developers agree to a Developer Program License Agreement regardless of their chosen method of distribution.

Apple also confirmed that it will display app installation sheets "that empower users to make educated choices about the apps they download."

"The sheets display information reviewed during Notarization, such as the app name, developer name, app description, screenshots, and system age rating, and identify the marketplace a user is downloading the app from, all in a clear, standardized form," Apple says. "Developers will not be able to change the content of this sheet after their apps are notarized without going through the process again."

The DMA also requires that Apple allow third-party payment systems to be used and it intends to warn iPhone owners of the risks associated with that, too.

Apple's document continues, outlining the risks that have been reduced, but not eliminated, by the safeguards it will put in place with the release of iOS 17.4.

Notably, the document — which is on Apple's security website and appears to be designed to detail its security plans — also includes emails Apple says its CEO Tim Cook received in support of the App Store and railing against sideloading and third-party alternatives.

You can read the full document, including those emails, on the security portion of Apple's developer website ahead of iOS 17.4's release next week.

More from iMore

• Apple opens the floodgates in Europe: Alternative app stores and more
• Apple's RCS 180 had nothing to do with the DMA
• Opera welcomes parts of Apple's proposed DMA-compliant plan

Expected to launch in just a week or so, iOS 17.4 has inadvertently become one of the biggest OS updates in some time, and the latest release candidate shows why. 

Available to developers and testers, the iOS 17.4 release candidate has just launched and comes with support for alternate app stores — something that has been begrudgingly in the works at Apple for a long time. This is thanks to the Digital Markets Act that is being enforced in March and only applies to EU storefronts. This will affect both huge entities like Epic Games, which has been embroiled in a long lawsuit with the company, and smaller developers who want to test out new stores without Apple’s watchful eye over them. Back in January, Epic Games announced Fortnite would be coming back to iPhone with some caveats and, just last week, Epic Games’ developer account was reinstated. 

Alternate app store support isn’t the only big change coming with iOS 17.4. In Apple’s support documentation, it said: “With supported CarPlay vehicles, Apple Maps will present a new instrument cluster experience with information about upcoming maneuvers. Users will be able to swap the desired display type between the main and instrument cluster screen”. This means you can alternate between different views on the fly, depending on how heavy the traffic is and what type of trip you are taking. 

What else is new?

As well as a whole host of fixes for HomeKit, Maps, Messages, and more, brand new emojis are also coming to iOS 17.4, though these emojis were all revealed last month. Finishing off the list, iPhone 15 models, the best iPhones right now, get a new battery health readout, Apple Podcasts receive transcript support allowing you to read along with your favorite shows, and Stolen Device Protection allows you to turn on security delay whenever you like now. Security Delay is a function that means a user has to use Face ID on their iPhone multiple times over a span of hours or minutes before getting in, so allowing you to use this at any moment can make your iPhone more secure. 

Apple only puts out release candidates when a piece of software is almost ready for launch to the general public. As such the iOS 17.4 release candidate suggests we could be as little as a week away from the full software release. Assuming all goes well and developers don’t run into major issues, we could have all the above new functions very soon. 

More from iMore

• iOS 17.4 beta 1: Here's everything new
• Apple Podcasts in iOS 17.4 offers automatic episode transcript text 
• Next-gen Apple CarPlay features confirmed by iPhone's iOS 17.4 beta

Apple has been accused of breaking EU law over access to music streaming services on its platforms, and will be hit with a €500 million fine from the European Commission.

The news comes via a report from the Financial Times (paywall), which has spoken to five sources with direct knowledge of the ongoing case.

While the verdict isn't public until its announcement "early next month", the report suggests Apple unfairly prevented apps from suggesting payment methods outside of the App Store.

Spotify brought the initial complaint to regulators back in 2019, but it appears a verdict is finally forthcoming after half a decade and that Apple's terms will be deemed as "unfair trading conditions".

Another case, focused on Apple's decisions on which financial groups can use Apple Pay, is also continuing.

Apple hit by big fine in the EU

Despite the ongoing furore over the Digital Markets Act, aimed at preventing "walled garden" marketplaces, which rolls out early next month, this is the first time Apple has been hit by a fine from Brussels (a €1.1bn fine from France was revised down to €372m fine upon appeal).

Still, €500m may be the easiest part of this for Apple to swallow. The company has already allowed Epic Games, its longtime courtroom rival, a developer account in the EU to develop its own storefront and bring Fortnite back to the iPhone, while it's also been forced to alter the scope of web apps on iOS.

The biggest concern for the company is likely to be sideloading, with EU users expected to be able to install apps from outside of the App Store, and potentially away from the watchful eye of Apple's vetting process.

Apple's previously closed ecosystem is on the precipice of a dramatic shift, it seems, but it's not all bad news. Just a few days ago, the European Commission confirmed iMessage won't need to be opened up to other platforms.

Fresh from Samsung leaning heavily into AI and amid swirling rumors that iOS 18 will bring huge upgrades to Siri via new AI tools, it appears Apple could be upgrading the iPhone's internals to help make it smarter, with a second report suggesting so this week.

While generative AI remains controversial for leveraging existing assets to produce something 'new', a new report from Taiwan (thanks, GSMArena) suggests that the iPhone 16 will lean into it with a new Neural Engine that packs "significantly" more cores.

The report doesn't state a specific number of cores, but there have been 12 cores in the Neural Engine since the iPhone 12 which launched in 2020.

It also backs up recent reports that the iPhone 16 and other Apple devices will lean on new chips including the A18 and M4, each with a renewed focus on more powerful Neural Engines.

What does it mean for the consumer?

The Apple Neural Engine (or ANE) is a much more efficient processor than the CPU or GPU, and uses AI for things like language processing and image analysis on-device.

That's perhaps an oversimplification, but the Neural Engine is the piece of tech you have to thank for being able to search "dog" in your Photos library to find all of the images of your fluffy friend, or for Face ID unlocking and Animoji, augmented reality and the Deep Fusion techniques employed within the image processing pipeline.

The included cores are so efficient that they can remain relatively cool despite working through complex data and calculations either on command or in the background.

If these reports regarding additional cores are correct, it'll certainly give Apple's AI possibilities a boost. iOS 18 is expected to make Siri considerably more useful, as well as offer a boost for Spotlight.

It's worth noting that while Apple reportedly has its own team working on AI-based language models, it's not entirely trusting of generative options from competitors. In fact, the company has banned the use of ChatGPT and others for fear of the algorithms learning company secrets.

iOS 17’s long-delayed AirPlay hotel feature could finally be ready soon, according to a statement by LG.

Using AirPlay with supported televisions in hotels was first announced way back in June 2023 as part of iOS 17 — but there has since been no word of when AirPlay in hotels was going to debut. Apple had previously stated it would arrive by the end of the year, but fast-forward to February and we don’t seem to be any closer. 

The feature lets users connect their iPhone or iPad to a hotel TV, by simply scanning a QR code. Once connected, your device will be mirrored on the TV. You can then play games from Apple Arcade, or watch Apple TV Plus for example, all displayed on your hotel’s big screen

Now, a spokesperson for LG has confirmed to MacRumors that the feature is coming to certain hotel TVs “later this spring.” 

It’s worth mentioning that iOS 17.3 enabled this feature back in January, with its release notes stating, “AirPlay hotel support lets you stream content directly to the TV in your room in select hotels.” As Apple confirmed when the feature was announced last year, brands from IHG Hotels & Resorts will be the first to offer the feature. This could include Holiday Inn, Avid, and Kimpton. 

AirPlay in hotels cannot come soon enough - iMore’s take

Most of us have likely been in a situation where we’ve checked into a hotel room, and there are four channels to choose from on the TV. Instead, you reach for your iPhone or gaming handheld, and the TV is left off for the duration of your stay.

The solution for many, myself included, has been to bring a USB-C to HDMI cable — so we can hook up our iPads or Macs to these hotel TVs. It’s been a hit-or-miss affair though, as some hotel TVs in the past have restricted the use of input ports such as HDMI.

Once AirPlay in hotels goes live though, this frustrating dilemma will be no more. It’ll be worth the wait, and I’ll finally have no need to pack a USB-C to HDMI cable for when I travel.

More from iMore

• How to enable AirPlay on iPhone
• iOS 17.4 beta: Here's everything new in Apple's App Store-busting, CarPlay-teasing update
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When Apple releases the iOS 17.4 software update to the world in the next few weeks it'll bring with it a sea change in the way the iPhone and App Store work. It'll open the door to third-party app stores, for one, and there will be support for non-Webkit web browsers as well. Both of those things will launch in the EU only, however, as Apple scrambles to comply with incoming Digital Markets Act requirements before the March 6 deadline. And while there are reasons to be cheerful about the changes, the opening of the web browser market on iOS isn't something that web developers are looking forward to.

While there is a reason to believe that more web browser engine choice is a good thing, there are catches to be considered. It's those catches that web developers worry could cause chaos in their line of work — especially if they don't happen to live in the EU.

The reason for their concern is clear, and it's a reason that makes plenty of sense when you think about it — whether or not Apple has already thought about it and found a solution remains unclear, but the problem is very real. The problem? Web developers want to know how they are supposed to test their websites, web apps, and services against non-Webkit browsers like a potential future Google Chrome if they don't have access to the app itself because they don't live in the EU.

A simple question

The question is of course a simple one, but the answer has so far been anything but. In fact, there hasn't been an answer that anyone is aware of yet which means that web developers are left somewhat in the dark.

The web developer worries come via The Register which saw comments submitted to Open Web Advocacy (OWA) following Apple's decision to allow third-party web browser engines as confirmed last week. "Due for publication shortly, these comments from various web professionals follow from OWA asking supporters how Apple's revised platform rules will affect their work and the web," The Register's report reads.

While web developers do want Apple to allow third-party engines, it's the way that the change is being implemented that is of concern.

“What happens if someone in the EU runs into a bug that isn’t happening in other browsers?" Jason Grigsby, co-founder of Cloudfour, reportedly asked in a comment to OWA. "How do we troubleshoot it? I’m trying to think of a comparable time when we had no way to test in a browser. The closest I can come to is the earliest days of mobile when the Android browser was different on each carrier. But even then, I could go to a carrier store to test and/or buy a phone if I needed more time with it. What do I do now?"

This might be something that Apple already has an answer for, as I suggested earlier. But the fact that web developers don't know that there is suggests that there isn't, at least not yet. There will be a hope the situation will change, however, and Apple could do that via a simulator of sorts. One developer suggested a VPN into the EU could be an answer, but they'd also need an EU-based Apple ID to apple the App Store in the territory. All doable, but let's hope Apple has a more official option in the works instead.

More from iMore

• iOS 17.4 beta 1: Here's everything that's new in Apple's App Store-busting update
• Apple Podcasts in iOS 17.4 offers automatic episode transcription
• Here are all the new emoji coming to your iPhone with iOS 17.4

Apple's iOS 17.4 is going to be a huge release in a number of ways, and it's already available in initial beta form for those who want to live life on the wild side. But the final version should be with us in a few weeks, and there are plenty of changes for iPhone owners to look forward to.

Some of those changes are cosmetic, with new emoji being added to the mix. But some of the changes are truly groundbreaking — like Apple adding support for third-party app stores, allowing streaming apps like Xbox Cloud into its own App Store, and more. The number of changes isn't necessarily huge, but some of them will have an outsized impact on the way people use their iPhones from the moment iOS 17.4 arrives.

When that will happen, we don't yet know for certain. But we do know that Apple has an EU-imposed deadline that it will have to meet. The App Store changes need to be in play by March 6 which is when the EU's DMA requires that Apple allow those in the region to install apps from sources other than the App Store. That means that Apple now has a few weeks to get iOS 17.4 in order and any bugs polished out. Here's what to expect once the iOS 17.4 update lands based on what we know from beta 1.

All change in the App Store

The App Store changes are undoubtedly huge because Apple will have to allow iPhone owners to install third-party app stores for the first time. That means that the likes of Epic Games can launch their own store on iOS, which in turn means that Fortnite is coming back to the iPhone — so long as you live in the EU, of course. Apps in the EU will also be able to offer payment options that aren't the App Store's in-app purchase system, too. Another EU-only change is support for third-party web browsers that don't use Apple's Webkit engine, a first for the platform.

Continuing the EU news, third-party wallet apps will be able to use the iPhone's NFC chip for contactless payments, adding competition to Apple Pay.

That doesn't mean that the rest of the world won't have changes to look forward to. Apple is going to start to allow game streaming apps into the App Store for the first time, removing their reliance on web apps.

New emoji

Apple's iOS 17.4 update will bring with it a number of new emoji including a phoenix, a broken chain, a mushroom, and more. These emoji are part of the Unicode 15.1 update that was first approved towards the end of 2023.

Podcasts and Music changes

In the Apple Music app users will notice that the Listen Now tab has changed to Home, while Apple Podcasts fans will notice that the app now offers transcripts of the podcast that they are listening to. It's similar to lyrics in Apple Music and is enabled for all podcasts by default, although podcasters will be able to opt-out.

Everything else

Other changes include a tweak to the Stolen Device Protection feature that adds an option to require a security delay when making changes to security settings either always, or only when away from familiar locations.

Siri has also gained a new setting that allows Messages to read incoming messages in a specific language no matter which one they were received in.

Finally, the iOS 17.4 has references that suggest Apple's next-gen CarPlay feature is readying release, although it isn't yet available in this beta.

All of these features and changes are in the iOS 17.4 beta 1 release but could change or be removed before the final version. We may also see new additions before the big release, too.

More from iMore

• Next-gen Apple CarPlay features confirmed by iPhone's iOS 17.4
• Apple Podcasts in iOS 17.4 offers automatic episode transcript text 
• Here are all the new emoji coming to your iPhone with iOS 17.4 

A new version of iOS is coming to European markets immediately – and it brings enormous changes to the familiar iPhone world. And if you like App stores, you're gonna love this.

Starting in iOS 17.4, EU users will be able to use the App Store or alternative app marketplaces, new distribution mechanisms for apps that anyone can build and deploy. Sure, you can install an alternative browser in the EU today, but they're required to use Apple's proprietary Webkit engine, and they’re hardly encouraged. In 17.4, Apple will let browsers such as Chrome use alternative engines. And you’ll be presented with a new “change your default” menu that lets you choose from a list of the most downloaded browsers. And you’ll get to learn a bit about them before making that choice. Whew!

It’s an enormous series of changes, prompted by the DMA ruling, and Apple worries deeply about the implications. The company notes how carefully it has curated the experience of the App Store over the years since it was first created to ensure that apps are safe, secure, and to some extent, moral. Apple has carefully policed the app store to prevent the proliferation of pornography, for example. And the company notes that viruses and widespread browser hacking are virtually nonexistent.

To ensure that continued level of safety, alternative browser engines will be required to meet certain Apple safety standards. But those app markets? They might just be the wild wild west: Apple noted that it will not be policing external app markets for explicit content or pornography as it does the App store.

On the one hand, you might soon get a Steam store on iOS. On the other hand, there might be a Pornhub store as well.

New systems, new fees, new "Fortnite tax"

Today, you manage the default browser in the Settings menu. Starting in iOS 17.4, EU users will be able to manage default browser in a new way. Open the browser and you’ll be instructed to select from a list of the most downloaded browsers. More than that, you’ll get to learn a bit about them before making that choice. You can choose your default payment app and app store in a similar fashion. 

Meanwhile, developers will have a slew of new options as well, notably in how Apple charges commissions -- again, part of changes mandated by the DMA.  At present, 88% of EU app developers pay no commission fees to Apple, the company says. But moving forward, Apple will charge different fees: Developers will have the choice to use new payment processors or to remain under the App store on current terms. 

For most of them, this might mean cheaper rates: Apple says that for developers who want to continue to use the App Store, fees drop from 30% to 17%, and discounted program fees (for small businesses, mostly) go from 15% to 10%. For developers who distribute outside of the App Store, Apple will collect no fees at all. 

But it ain't all wine and roses.

There's a new Core Tech fee coming out, to cover usage of Apple's proprietary tech and tools, developer services and support, and the integrity of the iOS platform. It'll only apply to developers who achieve "extraordinary scale," either through the App Store or through alternative distribution. 

What's it mean, exactly? The first million downloads are free, Apple says. Developers who blow past that rate -- we're looking at you, Fortnite -- will be required to pay 50 Euro cents per download, fees that will be spread out over the course of a year. Fewer than 1% of active EU developers will pay this fee, the company believes, and it will be waved entirely for education, government, and nonprofits. 

The beta release of iOS 17.4 comes out today, Apple said. Changes will become available in March 2024, to comply with the DMA act's requirements. 

Apple has just issued a major software update to several of its main product lines that patches a security vulnerability the company says may have been exploited in the wild. 

It comes as the company released its latest version of iOS 17, 17.3 alongside iPadOS 17.3, and macOS Sonoma 14.3 on Monday, alongside new versions of tvOS and watchOS 10. Given it’s a major update most of them bring some new features to your Apple devices, including an important Stolen Device Protection feature on iPhone, collaborative Apple Music Playlists, and a new Apple Watch Face. 

However, nearly all updates for iOS and beyond come with important security updates, and this week’s stable is no exception.

iOS 17.3’s important security update 

Apple says it has patched security issues in the Apple Neural engine on iPhone and iPad, Safari, Shortcuts, and more. The most important one is the third of three WebKit updates, all of which fix exploits that could have led to “arbitrary code execution.” Apple says that this particular WebKit involved “Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution,” which essentially means an attacker taking control of your Mac or iPhone. 

Apple says it is “aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited,” suggesting bad actors might have already used this exploit to try and hijack devices, take data, and more. "The bug in WebKit causes the framework to malfunction when processing specific content it is not expecting, such as a corrupted image file," security experts Mysk told iMore. "In this case, the malfunctioning caused by the bug opens a security hole where an attacker can trick the framework into executing malicious code and gain access to protected resources on the system."

While it’s always a good idea to keep your iPhone bang up-to-date for security purposes, this is yet another example of a particularly important security update that you don’t want to put off. 

To download iOS 17.3:

The update is available for all of Apple's best iPhones including the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro, and on older models up to and including the iPhone XS. 

As noted, Apple says this issue is also present in macOS Sonoma, and as such has been patched in macOS 14.3, which can be downloaded from your System Settings on Mac. 

More from iMore

• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet
• iOS 17 review: Top 10 features ranked
• StandBy might just be the killer iOS 17 feature, but only if you have an iPhone 14 Pro.

Apple releases updates to the software that powers the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV at regular intervals and it has two new updates on the horizon. And while Apple hasn't given an exact date for when they will drop, we can now make a calculated guess based on the information the company gave us in a recent press release.

Apple's updates bring with them a variety of things whether they are bug fixes, security fixes, or in the best cases, updates that bring whole new features to the mix as well. In the case of the upcoming iOS 17.3 and watchOS 10.3 updates, we can probably expect a little bit from all of those categories, too.

Both updates have been working their way through their respective beta programs and have been in the hands of developers and public beta testers for some time, but now we know when we can expect to be able to install them ourselves. And that's important because the iOS 17.3 update will bring with it a key new data protection feature that iPhone owners should definitely pay attention to.

Coming soon

We now know more than ever about when Apple's latest software will arrive thanks to a press release discussing the company's 2024 Black Unity Collection. That collection includes a new Apple Watch face and iPhone wallpaper. You'll need watchOS 10.3 and iOS 17.3 respectively, and Apple's small print had the details.

"The new Unity Bloom iPhone and iPad wallpaper for the Lock Screen will also be available next week, and requires iPhone Xs or later running iOS 17.3," Apple explained. As for the Apple Watch face, Apple confirmed that will be available at the same time. "The Unity Bloom watch face will be available next week, and requires Apple Watch Series 4 or later running watchOS 10.3," the same press release reads.

With that in mind, and with Apple's new Unity watch band going on sale on Tuesday, January 23, we can be sure that these software updates will either arrive on that same day or the day prior. With that in mind, January 22 or 23 are the dates we suggest you look for.

Stolen Device Protection

While the watchOS 10.3 update isn't set to set the world alight, the iOS 17.3 update is a different matter. It'll bring with it a new Stolen Device Protection feature that is designed to ensure that people don't lose access to their Apple ID and associated data should their iPhone be stolen. A trend of thieves stealing unlocked iPhones and then resetting the Apple ID password has been locking people out of their accounts for some time now, but this feature should protect against that.

Stolen Device Protection will do that by requiring that Face ID be used in order to allow access to saved passcodes while a security delay will be enforced when changing settings like an Apple ID password. The delay won't kick in if the iPhone is at a familiar location, like your home, however.

Another new feature coming to iOS 17.3 is support for collaborative Apple Music playlists, a feature that was expected to ship with iOS 17.2 but was ultimately canned.

With the release of both of these new software updates now just around the corner eyes will inevitably turn to what comes next, with iOS 18 and watchOS 11 set to be previewed at WWDC in June.

More from iMore

• Long-awaited Apple Music feature returns in iOS 17.3 beta
• iOS 17.3 Beta drops 'Pro' from 'Apple Vision' — could another model be on the way already?
• Apple pulls down latest iOS 17.3 beta 2 for developers

The iOS 17.3 beta 3 has finally gone live for developers and it adds a long-awaited security feature. 

Just last week, iOS 17.3 beta 2 was released for developers and subsequently removed as it was causing some iPhone users to get caught in boot loops. This rendered iPhones unusable until reverting to a previous version of the operating software. While unusual, this is not unheard of, and has happened as recently as iOS 14 in 2020. 

iOS 17.2 beta 3, as well as including some general bug fixes, finally implements Stolen Device Protection, a smart feature that makes it harder for thieves to access your phone. Essentially, your passcode doesn’t work in unfamiliar locations and requires Face ID to unlock your phone. If the thief attempts to change your Apple ID password or look at sensitive information, they need to pass the Face ID twice at timed intervals. 

When iOS 17.3 eventually launches, it will also come with collaborative playlists on Apple Music and may see some integration with the Apple Vision Pro, which is due to launch at the beginning of February. 

Be cautious — iMore’s take

As the iOS 17.3 beta 2 debacle shows, you should only install and use new iOS betas with caution and should avoid using it on your main device where possible. Beta testers and developer getting their hands on it allows them to provide Apple with feedback, which can be used to implement the update at a later date. 

Generally speaking, if you want the new security function or any other new features, you should wait until it has been thoroughly tested and made publicly available first. This software is still being developed and can be very different by the time it is officially released. 

More from iMore

• iOS 16 review: Unlocking the potential of the Lock Screen
• iOS 17 review: Top 10 features ranked
• iOS 18: Rumored features, supported devices, and more

The iPhone, as predictable as it is, remains a product worth getting excited about year after year. It’s not that we necessarily expect huge headline updates, but with many of us on a regular upgrade program, we can’t wait to see what we’ll be carrying in our pocket for the next year.

In terms of both the iPhone and iOS, 2023 has been a very, very big year. While many of the headline features of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro lineups are essentially incremental improvements to last year’s cameras and processor, they’re such big jumps that it’s hard not to look back and be impressed.

Equally, iOS 17 is a grab bag of small updates that coalesce to touch just about every aspect of the experience.

With this in mind, here's our rundown of the iPhone in 2023 and how it fared.

Hardware

Last year’s surprises mainly arrived in the form of the Dynamic Island on the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max models, and this year the island saw a new influx of users as it rolled out to iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models, too.

It remains a surprisingly whimsical addition that also helps relegate the notch to, well, just the MacBook.

Aside from the Dynamic Island, the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus camera systems are similar to last year’s Pro models, meaning there’s now that much bigger 48MP sensor and the ability to adjust portrait focus after a photo has been taken.

We also saw the long, long-awaited arrival of USB-C on iPhone, meaning it’s finally time to retire the Lightning cables we’ve amassed over the years.

Much of the same applies to the 15 Pro lineup, which shifted over to a Titanium design that’s not a great deal lighter, but it’s noticeable nonetheless.

The cameras are also phenomenal, but the really big upgrade is in the performance which brings hardware-accelerated ray tracing to iPhone for incredible visuals in games. The A17 Pro is just a monster for pretty much anything.

All in all, it’s possibly the biggest iPhone year since the iPhone X changed the game back in 2017, and while it’s not quite as drastic an overhaul as that, it’s a great year to upgrade your device.

Software

iOS is such a mature platform that it’s tricky to think of ‘big ticket’ upgrades Apple can introduce. As a result, this year was a year of refinement, but one that we find ourselves at iMore, very happy with.

Even the Phone app received upgrades with iOS 17. Adding FaceTime voicemail messages has been long-awaited, but having voicemail transcribed on the fly still feels a little like magic a few months on.

Standby Mode remains something the team uses almost every day, either to show photos as a slideshow or to glance at the to-do list in Things 3.

Interactive widgets are great in iOS 17, but sometimes you feel like you want to tap it to open the app in question instead — not to accidentally tick something off a to-do list for instance.

One of the best updates, although relatively minor, was the general tidying up of iMessage. With stickers, iMessage apps, and more, it had started to get more than a little full. It’s still got all of those features, but it’s vastly slicker now.

Finally, Apple promised a new Journal app, and it arrived in iOS 17.2, released in December. It's a great way of logging your thoughts and feelings — but the app still feels like early days. We're going to have to spend more time with Journal to see how it helps us in the coming days and weeks.

In conclusion

This year was a big one for the iPhone, both in terms of hardware and software. Aside from the hardware potential offered by the A17 Pro on the 15 Pro and Pro Max, the base iPhone 15 saw big improvements that have it rivaling last year’s iPhone 14 Pro.

Combine that with a bunch of small improvements in iOS 17, and it’s a great time to have an iPhone.

iOS 17.2.1 has arrived, adding bug fixes and stability improvements to your iPhone. While the small update has little in terms of new features for the iPhone, some regions’ release notes hint at a much bigger improvement — a battery drain fix.

If you head to settings to install the latest software update, you’ll see release notes that read, “This update provides important bug fixes and is recommended for all users.”

However, the same release notes in some countries like Japan have extra information related to the battery of the iPhone when translated into English, “This update includes important bug fixes and addresses an issue where the battery may drain quickly under certain conditions.”

Originally spotted by Brandon Butch on X with the Japanese release notes, more iPhone users have chimed in on the matter. One user even found similar text for the Chinese release notes that also hints at battery improvements in the new software update.

More than just minor bug fixes?

While we’ve not been able to confirm what exactly the unspecified bug fixes in the English release notes refer to, it’s very interesting to see such disparity between the same text in multiple languages.

iOS 17.2 was released earlier in December, and some users on Apple’s forums had reported a more significant battery drain than previous software versions. Hopefully, the release notes that do mention a battery drain fix are correct, and we’ll see improvements to the battery on the iPhone with this latest update.

As an iPhone 15 Pro Max user myself, I haven’t noticed any increased battery drain on iOS 17.2. With the release of iOS 17.2.1, we’ll be sure to test and check out the improvements to see whether or not the hints at battery improvement are, in fact, accurate.

More from iMore

• Apple Releases New iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates
• I can travel anywhere thanks to this iOS 17.2 Action Button update
• iOS 17.2 has finally fixed one of the iPhone's biggest security issues.

You can turn your Bluetooth on again! A few months ago, an engineer with a Flipper Zero showed off an exploit that could potentially lock down iPhones and Apple has finally put out a fix with iOS 17.2. 

As originally reported by ZDNET, you can no longer cause iPhones to crash by spamming Bluetooth notifications, though the first few pop-ups will still occur – moving a major exploit to a minor annoyance. This exploit wasn’t technically exclusive to the relatively niche multi-tool, as originally confirmed to iMore by Flipper itself. 'It’s important to highlight this is impossible on the default hardware. We have taken necessary precautions to ensure the device can’t be used for nefarious purposes. Since the firmware is open source, individuals can adjust it and use the device in an unintended way, but we don’t promote this and condone the practice if the goal is to act maliciously.

Potentially, one could repurpose an Android phone with custom firmware or any Arduino-like device with BLE capabilities to do the same. This is why we agree with the researcher that Apple should implement safeguards and eliminate the problem at its core.’

Keeping to its word – iMore’s take

Apple claims to take the security and privacy of its devices seriously and steps like these are important to back that up. We at iMore have known about this issue since the start of September, setting the rollout for this change at about three months. This is still a significant period of time and we have seen a major iOS rollout with iOS 17 and two smaller ones since then but a definitive fix like this is important and it’s good to see it addressed. 

iOS 17.3 seems set to follow this same vein with a security feature to stop thieves who have stolen your phone. It’s been a long time coming, but it’s great to see them rolling out on Apple devices. 

More from iMore

• iOS 17: Latest Version, features, supported devices, and more
• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet
• iOS 17 review: Top 10 features ranked

Spatial Video on Apple Vision Pro is one of the major selling points of the mixed reality headset, allowing you to revisit your experiences in the past like never before — giving you fully immersive videos as if you were there rather than the traditional form of video we’re so used to.

Here's everything you need to know about Spatial Video, from explaining what it is, how it works, and we'll even show you how you can make your own so you've got plenty of content to rewatch when your Vision Pro headset arrives on February 2.

What is Spatial Video on Vision Pro?

Apple says Spatial Video is "a groundbreaking new capability that helps users capture life’s precious moments — and relive those memories on Apple Vision Pro."

You'll relive your videos as if you were still in the moment, thanks to 3D technology that has even made journalists who have tried it cry.

You'll only be able to watch these videos on Vision Pro, but that doesn't mean you can't start recording memories now, so if you buy a future generation of Apple's AR/VR headset, you'll have a bank of beautiful videos to watch from the get-go.

How does Spatial Video work?

Spatial Videos are captured using the Main and Ultra Wide cameras on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. They are only possible when shooting in landscape as the iPhone uses both cameras simultaneously to determine the depth of your subjects.

Spatial Videos are captured in 1080p at 30fps with standard dynamic range. Together with the computational videography and HEVC compression found in the iPhone 15 Pro, you end up with "stunning spatial memories."

How to record Spatial Video on iPhone 15 Pro

Spatial Video recording is only available on the best iPhones, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. If you’ve got a regular iPhone 15 or an older iPhone, you’re unfortunately out of luck.

1. Open Settings
2. Tap Camera, then Formats
3. Enable Spatial Video for Apple Vision Pro

Now that you’ve enabled Spatial Video in settings head to the Camera app and start recording a video. You can only record Spatial Video in landscape, but you’ll spot a Vision Pro icon on the screen, tap it to turn it on (it will appear yellow).

Unfortunately, there’s no way to watch Spatial Video in its full form on your iPhone 15 Pro, so you’ll have to wait for Apple to start shipping Vision Pro on February 2 to really get the most out of the incredible new format. It’s also worth noting that Spatial Video takes up a lot of space on your SSD — Apple estimates almost twice the amount of MBs per minute compared to regular 1080p videos.

One more thing… A new way of reminiscing

I’m not fully sold on Vision Pro quite yet, although I think my opinion might change once I get to try the headset out for myself. That said, Spatial Video makes sense to me, and I think it could be the standout feature of Apple’s new revolutionary headset.

The thought of recording memories on my iPhone that can be relived, almost like I’m back in the scene again, is very enticing and something that I think many people will connect with. Apple knows how to make people feel alive with technology, and giving us the opportunity to reconnect with precious moments could be the company’s Magnum opus.

If you, or someone you know, has ever had your iPhone stolen, a brand new feature planned for the release of iOS 17.3 should help soften that blow. Even thieves who have your unique passcode won’t be able to access some of your most personal information. 

In a comment made to The Verge, Apple spokesperson Scott Radcliffe said, “iPhone data encryption has long led the industry, and a thief can’t access data on a stolen iPhone without knowing the user’s passcode. In the rare cases where a thief can observe the user entering the passcode and then steal the device, Stolen Device Protection adds a sophisticated new layer of protection.”

With this, your iPhone needs authentication through Face ID or Touch ID to check finances, get access to iCloud accounts, and, most importantly, use Apple Pay. For things like changing your Apple ID password or turning off Find My, you need to authenticate via Face ID or Touch ID twice, one hour apart. You do have to opt into this feature, but it will be available to all iPhone users when iOS 17.3 launches (expected 2024).

A needed change – iMore’s take

This is a great feature that I’m surprised doesn’t already exist. Devices being locked to an Apple ID and tied to Find My is a good deterrent for possible thieves, but there are ways around it for those who are smart enough, especially if they are able to get your passcode before taking your device. This has been one of the biggest workarounds of iPhone’s security features until now, and it’s good to know it won’t be enough to steal and sell on your device in the future. 

However, there are still security flaws we know about right now in Apple devices. Just last week, a flaw was spotted that could spoof a Magic Keyboard on MacBooks, enabling a hacker to mimic keystrokes and steal information. Earlier this year, a report showed that someone with a Flipper Zero could spoof an AirPods ping to annoy or even lock down a phone. Neither of these have been addressed as of the time of writing. Hopefully, iOS 17.3 will go even further in regards to iPhone security. 

More from iMore

• Long-awaited Apple Music feature returns in iOS 17.3 beta 1, but will ...
• iOS 17.2's biggest change is an iPhone 15 Pro telephoto camera ...
• How to downgrade from iOS 17 back to iOS 16

Have you been waiting for collaborative Apple Music Playlists since they were announced back at WWDC 2023? The feature has been added (again) to the latest iOS 17.3 beta.

We’ve seen Apple Music Collaborative Playlists in the iOS 17 and iOS 17.2 betas, yet the feature never appeared in the official releases. Now, Apple has brought the much-anticipated Apple Music addition that allows users to build playlists with friends and family back in iOS 17.3 beta 1, but will it make the cut when the official release comes around?

Collaborative Playlists brings a feature that we’ve seen in Spotify for years to Apple Music, allowing you to easily share existing playlists or new ones and collaborate to create the ultimate listening experience. 

By default, only the person who has created can add songs, but this can be changed easily in settings so that everyone can be the DJ. Apple updated its iOS 17 features documentation earlier this month, stating that the Collaborative Playlists feature would be “coming in an update in 2024,” which aligns with the expected early 2024 release date of 17.3.

Back to Apple Music — iMore’s take

Playlist collaboration is one of the reasons I made a switch from Apple Music to Spotify last year, and I’ve become reliant on the feature to find new music from my friends who have similar tastes to mine. By adding this feature to iOS 17, Apple will finally make a lot of loyal Apple Music subscribers very happy with a feature that adds the social aspect often missed in Apple’s streaming service.

Hopefully, we get to see Apple Music Collaborative Playlists when iOS 17.3 officially releases next year, but until then, I’ll be sticking with Spotify and my shared playlists that help me find new music daily.

More from iMore

• Apple Releases New iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates
• iOS 17.2's biggest change is an iPhone 15 Pro telephoto camera ...
• The iPhone's new Journal app is here with iOS 17.2, but it's the tech ...

When Apple announced iOS 17 back in June of 2023 as part of the big WWDC event, there were plenty of new features unveiled. Most of them made the big September release date while others have appeared in dribs and drabs via smaller software updates ever since. That continued with the recent iOS 17.2 update, with features like the hotly anticipated Journal app finally coming to the iPhone. But there are still some features missing.

To be specific, there are two features that are yet to make it out of Apple Park and we don't know for sure when they'll arrive. Apple says that both the ability to use AirPlay in hotel rooms and enjoy collaborative Apple Music playlists are still coming, and that they'll be with us at some unspecified point in 2024. It's good news that the features are still on the way, but it's strange that they haven't yet arrived.

That's especially true for the collaborative playlist feature considering it was part of earlier iOS 17.2 betas before being removed. And the fact that two features that have pride of place on Apple's iOS 17 webpage won't arrive until 2024 isn't a great look.

Missing features

None of this is helped by the fact that these two features are ones that will be very useful once they finally ship, of course.

The AirPlay feature in particular could be a huge boon for those who travel a lot. Apple's updated webpage says that the feature is "coming in an update in 2024, with the feature allowing users to "scan a QR code on a hotel room TV and then "securely share videos, photos, and music from your iPhone to the TV." For anyone who just wants to catch up on the latest must-watch Apple TV Plus show, that could be a huge addition. And it isn't yet clear why it's one that couldn't make its way into iOS 17.2 or a previous version, for that matter.

The second feature is one that Apple Music fans will surely enjoy when it ships because it will allow people to "Invite friends to join your playlist and everyone can add, reorder, and remove songs." You'll even be able to "use emoji to react to the song choices in Now Playing" if that's your jam, too.

With Apple saying that both of these features will now ship in 2024, we're all in something of a holding pattern. With a 12-month time window, there is plenty of wiggle room there. The saving grace? In a year when the Vision Pro will ship and Apple is expected to unveil a plethora of new iPads, we can only expect that Apple will want to get these features out of the door soon so it can focus on other things. And let's not forget that iOS 18 will start to be a very real concern soon — it's likely to be previewed during WWDC in June with the first beta dropping the same day.

A matter of faith

While we can be relatively sure that these two features will eventually arrive, it isn't a great look for things to get delayed in this way. It's doubtful that we have another AirPower on our hands of course, but when features get delayed it puts further strain on future updates.

Flash forward to June 2024 and iOS 18's unveiling. It's difficult to assume everything Apple shows off will ship when it says it will when two features announced a whole year before only landed a few months ago. This isn't the first time Apple has had to delay things, and it probably won't be the last. There has long been a suggestion that Apple should ditch the one-big-update-a-year method of software development in favor of more frequent, smaller feature additions. If Apple keeps biting off more than it can chew those calls are likely to return.

More from iMore

• Apple Releases New iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates
• The iPhone’s new Journal app is here with iOS 17.2, but it's the tech behind it that really matters
• iOS 17.2 supercharges AirDrop with a new way of sharing tickets

iOS 17.2 is a pretty big update with a highly anticipated new Journal app, Apple Music changes, and the Action Button translate option. But perhaps the biggest change is an upgrade to the iPhone 15 Pro’s telephoto lens. Not previously announced in the iOS 17.2 Release Candidate, this surprise update is a welcome addition to the iPhone. 

According to the iOS 17.2 release notes, the following changes have been made to the camera in Apple’s best iPhone, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max: 

• Spatial video lets you capture video on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max so you can relive your memories in three dimensions on Apple Vision Pro
• Improved Telephoto camera focusing speed when capturing small faraway objects on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

Lights, Camera, Action

The spatial video capabilities are interesting too when we think of the launch pattern of iOS updates. iOS 17.1 launched at the end of October, with 17.2 launching in the middle of December. This puts a potential iOS 17.3 at a launch of around February. Given a recent report places the launch of the Vision Pro at some point between January and March, these upgraded spatial video capabilities set up that timeline well.

The telephoto upgrade specifically changes the focus speed of the phone when looking at faraway objects. This means the software can tackle high-zoomed pictures better than otherwise thought. As someone who likes to show off my camera at every opportunity, I can’t wait to test out just how snappy and quick the new camera software upgrade feels. Apple is one of the best companies in the world for integrating software and hardware, this iOS update is just another example. This iOS update also paves the way for telephoto camera upgrades rumored to be coming to the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max. 

More from iMore

• Apple Releases New iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 updates
• Apple will retire the iTunes Movie Store app with iOS 17.2
• iOS 17.2 supercharges AirDrop with a new way of sharing tickets ...

Today, Apple released its latest updates, iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2. The previous updates, iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1 dropped about a month ago. To find the new updates on either your iPhone or your iPad, go to the following: 

• Open Settings
• Tap General, then Software Update
• Select iOS 17.2

One of the more intriguing, as well as possibly cutting-edge aspects of the update is that users now have access to the Journal app. According to one of the press releases on the update, the new Journal app will “helps users reflect on everyday moments and special events in their lives.” But what makes it cutting-edge–or potentially cutting-edge–is that the app uses on-device machine learning to create personalized suggestions to inspire a user’s journal entries, which is great for those who suffer from writer’s block or just can’t think of anything to write about. 

But when using the app, you don’t need to stick to just prose, poetry, or other forms of writing. You can also include photos, videos, audio recordings, locations, and more to create rich memories.

And while we may be living in the social-media world, not all of us may choose to share our journals with the entire world. So, you can keep the entries personal and private. Apple says, “When iPhone is locked with a passcode, entries in the Journal app are encrypted.” You can also enable secondary authentication, and lock the Journal app with your device passcode, Face ID, or Touch ID. Also, all Journal entries are “end-to-end encrypted when stored in iCloud, so that no one but the user can access them.” In addition to the privacy settings, there are a number of other useful tweaks you can make in in the settings of the Journal app.

Powerful features that will intrigue content creators

The Journal app isn’t the only aspect of the update that’s using cutting-edge technology. If you have the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max and you’ve updated to iOS 17.2, you can now start recording 3D video that you’ll be able to view on the Apple’s Vision Pro headset, once it’s made available in early 2024. 

Here’s what Apple has to say about the new spatial video feature (which is really just a specific type of 3D video): “Once spatial video capture is enabled in Settings, users can leverage the advanced camera systems on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max to capture their favorite moments in three dimensions. Spatial videos are captured in 1080p at 30 frames per second in standard dynamic range. With advanced computational videography techniques and HEVC compression, iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max deliver stunning spatial memories in a compact file size.”

The new updates include a host of other changes. For instance, there are various security updates and a new enhanced security feature called iMessage Contact Key Verification, which Apple says provides users with "new tools to protect their most sensitive data and communications." Plus there are updates to Apple Music, AirDrop, the Weather app, and many others. To see the entire list of updates, go to Apple's iOS &iPadOS 17.2 Release Notes. 

iOS 17.2 is in the final stages of testing, and its release notes reveal a secret: AirDrop will now let you easily share boarding passes and more between two iPhones.

For those unfamiliar, AirDrop has been available on iPhones since iOS 8. Before iOS 17, when you opened the Share sheet, you could send photos and videos to other iPhones around you. In iOS 17, this was improved further by NameDrop, which let you tap your iPhone with another to share contact information.

In iOS 17.2, AirDrop will now let you share boarding passes and movie tickets, just like NameDrop. You open up the Wallet app, select a pass, and then you can tap your iPhone with another to send it across.

This upcoming update for iPhone XS and above is expected to be released soon, and also brings Spatial Video recording to  iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, a Journal app, the ability to ‘favorite’ songs in Apple Music, and more.

Bring this to Apple Watch too — iMore’s take

NameDrop has been a fun new feature that I’ve used several times on my iPhone since iOS 17 was released in September. Before this feature, swapping contact information at events has always felt awkward. I’d have to ‘prank call’ the other person in order to get their number, then make sure that their name was spelled correctly.

So being able to simply tap my iPhone with another has changed that completely. With iOS 17.2 bringing this method to even more credentials, it’s only going to help further when you need to quickly share some tickets. Yet this feature could arguably work even better on Apple Watch.

Take trains for example, where you have to make sure you’re constantly moving to get through the barriers with your ticket. In the UK, you can scan a QR code and you’ll be let through. But what if you’ve bought two tickets and, in a hurry to board the train, you’ve forgotten to give one of them to your partner? If this new feature of AirDrop and tickets could be used on Apple Watch, it would save even more time. You could tap your Watch with your partner’s, the ticket would transfer over, and you’d both be on the train in no time.

This feels like the natural next step for Apple Watch and AirDrop — but being able to share tickets on iPhone through this improved feature is a great start.

More from iMore

• I can travel anywhere thanks to this iOS 17.2 Action Button update
• Everything we know about iOS 17
• How to turn off NameDrop in iOS 17

NameDrop is one of the best new features in iOS 17, adding an even easier way to share information between two iPhones. By simply tapping two iPhones together, contact details are instantly shared without dabbling through apps to find the info you want to share.

NameDrop, however, can be infuriating at times, especially when you just want to show someone a photo on your iPhone, for instance. Instead, a futuristic pop-up appears on your screen, slowing down the process. So, while NameDrop is awesome in its looks and function, you might want to turn it off depending on the situation, and we’re going to show you how.

Here’s how to turn off NameDrop in iOS 17 in just a few simple steps.

How to turn off NameDrop in iOS 17

Turning off NameDrop is incredibly simple, so much so that you can do it in just three steps. Once you’ve turned NameDrop off, repeat the same steps if you want to enable it again.

1. Open Settings, then General
2. Tap AirDrop
3. Turn off Bringing Devices Together

One More thing… A love/hate relationship

Since the launch of iOS 17, NameDrop has been one of my most used features, helping send information faster than ever before between my iPhone and my partner’s device. That said, there have been a couple of times where I’ve become very annoyed with the constant pop-up animation when all I’m doing is browsing Reddit while sitting next to her on the couch. This is so frustrating that I’ve opted to turn off NameDrop whenever I’m in my home, as I don’t see the value of it compared to regular AirDrop when I’m not out and about.

Many will opt to turn off NameDrop because of security concerns. Still, there’s no reason to worry about passersby getting your contact information as Apple has made the feature incredibly secure, and it’ll only work if you’ve got your iPhone unlocked, and both users have agreed to share.

NameDrop is one of the most futuristic features in iOS 17, and when it works as intended, it looks awesome and makes you feel like Deckard out of Blade Runner 2049. That said when it gets in the way of trying to do basic things like browsing the web or showing a friend your iPhone screen — it might just be worth switching it off entirely.

Did you buy an iPhone 15 Pro on release and have already found yourself forgetting about the Action Button? You’re not the only one. Though it’s an excellent idea, it has taken a little while for users to see the worth in the Action Button, but using it for on-the-fly translation may be the very best we’ve seen so far. 

The point of the Action Button is to be able to access features and apps that you may need in just a few seconds, and nothing is quite as pressing as speaking a language you don’t understand. If you want to use live translation on your iPhone 15 Action Button, here’s how to do it. 

How to set up Translate on the iPhone 15 Pro Action Button

Before doing anything, you need to make sure your iPhone is running iOS 17.2 (currently in beta). You can download the iOS 17.2 beta straight from your iPhone's Settings. Once you’re running 17.2, you can set up the translate button:

1. Go to Settings
2. Click on Action Button
3. Swipe across until you find “Translate”
4. Set Translate languages

From here, you can simply hold down the Action Button and speak. Your iPhone will speak back in the translated language.

One More Thing…. Unlimited Potential

This is one of the most brilliant uses of the Action Button I have seen so far. Like my previous favorite use, Voice Memos, you can use the primary function of the app without losing any functionality. 

I have found that uses of the Action Button that open up another app aren’t quite as snappy as they need to be when opening up a dedicated app rather than using that clever Dynamic Island. When the use of the Action Button takes me to another app, I can’t help but feel like I’ve lost some of the utility of the button in the first place. This is why assigning tools like the flashlight and Shazam to that button is where they (pardon the pun) shine.

The Action Button is a great little tool in need of a bit of love, and this is a good step. The Translate button is one of those functions that will be excellent every now and then but likely won’t be your full-time choice. For me, the voice memo is the best as I’m quite a musical person and this allows me to record little ideas without having to unlock my phone and scroll through my apps list. However, I’d love to see even more than this come to the Action Button. It still feels a little limited a month after launch. Maybe iOS 17.2 will really deliver what we’re looking for. 

Apple introduced iOS 17 earlier this year, and we're currently moving through betas of iOS 17.2. A new change in the latest iOS 17.2 beta shows that Apple is planning on retiring the dedicated iTunes Movie Store, with the functionality getting merged into the Apple TV app.

9to5Mac found code in the iOS 17.2 beta 2 that points to Apple merging the iTunes Movie Store with the Apple TV app. iOS 17.2 will likely execute this transition upon the release of the stable build, which is expected in the coming weeks.

iTunes Movie Store has been redundant for a while

Apple already lets you buy Movies and TV shows in the Apple TV app. As such, there is no need for the ITunes Movie Store to exist right now. The main iTunes store is still going to stay, however, confirmed the report.

The report also mentions that users will see a message that reads, “iTunes Movies moved to the Apple TV app.” The iOS 17.2 beta 2 is still letting users access the Movie Store through the dedicated app. The change will be rolled out remotely when the stable version releases, taking away the Movies and TV Shows tabs from the iTunes Store.

On Apple TV devices, the change will also affect the dedicated iTunes Movies and TV Shows apps. The report notes, "On Apple TV, which has separate apps for each segment of the iTunes Store, the iTunes Movies and iTunes TV Shows apps are also expected to disappear. Users will still be able to buy movies and TV shows using the Apple TV app."

The Apple TV app has slowly moved to be the de facto place for video content on Apple's devices, so it makes sense that Apple wants to push more users to use it for media purchases. The iTunes brand is also a dying one, so this is is another step in that direction.

Back when Apple announced the iOS 17 update in June it also announced a key new feature that has the potential to get a lot more people journaling. The app, aptly called Journal, was never going to make the September iOS 17 release and is now making its presence felt in the iOS 17.2 beta. And the signs are good.

But those signs only started to get good once the second beta arrived earlier this week. The first beta arrived a couple of weeks ago and while the Journal app was there, and you could use it, it was missing out on its tentpole feature — suggestions. With iOS 17 beta 2, that changed.

Now, the Journal app displays the suggestions we saw back at WWDC in June. The app offers ideas for things that could be used as inspiration for a new journal entry and that's a huge thing for people who want to journal but don't know where to start. But I'd go one step further and say that the best part of the Journal app is that you might never actually need to use it. Because some of its best bits are coming to other, more full-featured apps via an API. And I can't wait.

Journal's all grown up

First, it's important to remember that this iOS 17.2 beta 2 release is just that, a beta. Things can and likely will change before iOS 17.2 ships to the public, likely at some point in December. But I'd expect things to get better, not worse, so the current positive state of the Journal app should still apply when everyone gets their hands on it.

And positive, it is. Before this latest beta, the Journal app was a shell of an app that appeared to have been added too early. You could create entries and add images, but none of the magic that Apple showed off at WWDC was present. That's all changed since I installed iOS 17.2 beta 2, and it's just as impressive as I'd hoped.

Creating a new journal entry sees the app recommend all kinds of things as a jumping-off point. There are photos I've taken, places I've visited, and music that I've listened to. What's more, Journal's suggestions can pull all of those things together into moments that might include photos and location data from a recent trip, for example. It's the perfect tool for people who need a helping hand when they want to get started.

I put myself in that bracket. I've tried journaling on and off for years. Sometimes it sticks, but not for all that long and the main reason I fall off the wagon is because I have to think about what to write. Once I start, I'm fine, and that's why these suggestions could be so vital for people like me.

But I use Day One, an app that's been with me for as long as my kids and has all the entries to prove it. And that's where the real Journal magic begins.

Application Programming Interface

Thankfully, you won't have to use the Journal app to benefit from those suggestions. Apple already confirmed that it's opening those suggestions up via a new Journaling Suggestions API, or Application Programming Interface. That's vital, because it means other apps will benefit from the groundwork Apple has put in. It's Apple at its best — creating the underlying tools and setting developers loose. It's as if Journal is a demo app, telling developers what they can do.

The result, I hope, is that apps like Day One, Daylio, and others will take advantage of the new API. If want to open Day One and have it show me the same suggestions I see today in Journal. If that happens I might just make this journaling habit stick for good.

More from iMore

• Best journaling apps for iPhone and iPad in
• How to log your mental health with iOS 17
• iOS 17 will have its own journaling app to help you be more mindful ...

Apple has this week rolled out its iOS 17.1.1 update for iPhone users, which includes a significant bug fix for iPhone 15 users who charge their phones wirelessly in their cars. 

The release, now available to download on iPhone 15 and beyond, acknowledges a significant bug that caused Apple Pay and other NFC features to “become available on iPhone 15 models after wireless charging in certain cars.” the issue, reported back at the start of October, seems to have been confined to BMW models, however, Apple doesn’t specify which models were affected in its latest fix. Users report that after using a BMW charging pad to wirelessly charge their iPhone 15, the device would go into recovery mode when lifted off the charger, and then once powered on, NFC would stop working. This affected Apple Pay, and notably digital car keys, which lets users unlock their cars using their iPhones. With BMW being a prime digital car keys partner of Apple’s, this fix is a welcome one. 

Updating to iOS 17.1.1 should solve this issue, and also fix a quirky weather app bug we reported last week. In iOS 17.1, and more recent developer betas, snow on the Weather app caused a strange display bug that showed a broken icon on-screen.

A bumpy few months - iMore’s take 

No software is ever flawless, but the last few months on iOS 17 have felt like a particularly rocky road in terms of bugs and issues. Beyond the issues mentioned here, an iOS 17 bug caused some significant overheating problems in the iPhone 15 Pro at launch in September. There was also a bug that bricked your iPhone during certain data transfer processes on the new devices too. When you consider what else Apple is dealing with this week, the list starts to make for poor reading:

• Fix issued for Siri HomePod response bug
• Fix issued for a severe Apple Watch battery drain bug
• Reports of new M3 MacBooks shipping with macOS Ventura that can’t be updated to Sonoma
• Report that iOS 18 and macOS 15 development have been paused to quash bug

Issues like severe battery drain on Apple Watch or the NFC not working properly on your iPhone, or Siri not responding to requests on HomePod aren’t small niggles or inconveniences, some of these are a really big deal. The last note about next year’s major releases first made me roll my eyes in true “here we go again” Grand Theft Auto style, yet there’s hope here too. I’m more than happy for Apple to pump the brakes a bit to get us a smoother release, so we don’t have to spend 50% of a software release’s lifecycle waiting for it to work. 

To update to the latest iOS 17.1.1 software:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General, then Software Update
3. Select iOS 17.1

More from iMore

• iOS 17: Latest Version, features, supported devices, and more
• StandBy might just be the killer iOS 17 feature, but only if you have ...
• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet

Originally announced at WWDC back in June this year, the Apple Journal app is finally available for you to test out, with a little technical know-how and Apple’s latest iOS 17 beta.

The Journal app, as the name implies, is all about jotting down your mental health. You can build your own journal around unique themes, attaching videos, photos, and sounds, and you will get personalized suggestions of what to write about based on the information you give it. The app uses machine learning to get used to your habits, styles, and phone use to complement your lifestyle.

If you’re willing to get the iOS 17.2 beta, you can try it out right now, though you should expect a few growing pains as it continues to develop. Given that it's available in iOS 17.2 and the last update arrived a month after the one before it, we could see this new update arriving in the next few months.

How to test out the new Journal App

Beta software, also referred to as a preview, seed, or release candidate, is a version of software that’s still under development and not yet released to the public. This software is intended only for installation on development devices registered under your Apple Developer Program membership. Registered development devices can be upgraded to future beta releases and the public version of the software. Attempting to install beta software in an unauthorized manner violates Apple policy and could render your device unusable and necessitate an out-of-warranty repair. Make sure to back up your devices before installing beta software and install only on devices and systems that you’re prepared to erase if necessary.

• Go to the Apple Developer website
• Sign in with your Apple ID and agree to the developer agreement
• Once you have a developer account, go into settings on your iPhone
• Click on General, then Software Update.
• Click on Beta Updates and download iOS 17.2
• From here, you will automatically receive the journal app

Though it is available now, we only advise doing this if you are very comfortable with technology and know how to reverse the iOS 17.2 changes if anything goes wrong. As it is beta software, there are some risks involved with downloading and installing it. You won’t have to wait too long to test out Apple’s Journal without a developer account so it may be worth the wait.

More from iMore

• These are the iPhone apps getting a major iOS 17 overhaul so far
• How to log your mental health with iOS 17
• iOS 17.2 beta brings the Action button's most impressive use-case to iPhone 15 Pro

iOS 17.1 is now available and one of the major new additions to your iPhone will help you take control of your finances

Currently only available in the UK (sorry everyone else), iOS 17.1 adds a brand new feature to Apple Wallet that allows you to see all of your bank balances and full transaction history right from within a single app.

This feature is possible thanks to the United Kingdom’s Open Banking API which is supported by most major banks like Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, RBS, Monzo, and Starling.

Currently, there is no timeframe on when Apple will add similar functionality in the US, or if the company plans to do so. That said, Discover credit cards show transaction history and balance information within the Apple Wallet app for US customers and Apple are planning to add more compatibility soon.

If you are in the UK, here’s how to see your full transaction history and bank balance in Apple Wallet.

How to see your bank balance in Apple Wallet on iOS 17.1

1. Tap your credit or debit card that has previously been added to Apple Pay
2. Tap Get Started on the See Balances and Full Transaction History pop up
3. Follow the steps specific to your bank to connect your banking to Apple Wallet
4. You can now see all your transactions and your Available Balance

It’s a very easy process to set up and if you use multiple accounts at the same bank, you can add them all seamlessly with just a few clicks.

One more thing… Financial control

I love the UK’s Open Banking API and use it in my main banking app to keep track of all my finances. With the even easier addition to Apple Wallet, checking my bank balance and making sure I have the right card for the right Apple Pay transaction is brilliant.

Seeing how much money I have in my checking account before making a small purchase is very useful and those who haven’t used the Open Banking API will benefit from having easier access in the first-party Wallet app. For years, I’ve paid extra to use Monzo’s Premium service just to have all of my accounts in one place. Yes, that service gives added benefits like Travel Insurance but you need to pay £15 a month to access. Now that Apple offers the same functionality for free, I may be tempted to cancel my subscription.

If you regularly come to your iPhone and find that it turned itself off overnight, usually before turning itself back on, you aren't alone. But if you'd been hoping that iOS 17.1 would fix things you're unfortunately going to be left disappointed.

Reports of iPhones randomly turning themselves off have been circulating for a week or two and there doesn't appear to be any real pattern to it. They are all running iOS 17 or later, but it doesn't seem to be an issue limited to just the latest iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

However, Apple is yet to confirm that the issue exists and it seems that the latest iOS 17.1 Release Candidate update hasn't fixed things for those that are affected. That unfortunately means it might be some time before there is any respite for those whose iPhones just won't stay powered on.

Powered up, but powered off

The problem seems to affect iPhones that are placed on charge overnight with people who come to use them the next day finding that they have to enter their passcode to gain access. Normally, the requirement to enter a passcode on iPhones with Face ID enabled only crops up after a restart or a number of failed sign-in attempts.

Those afflicted with this issue will also be able to spot a gap in their iPhone's battery stats which shows that the iPhone was charging but powered off — with no data collected on the battery's charge status at that time.

It was hoped that iOS 17.1 would fix things for those whose iPhones misbehave in this way, but MacRumors notes that doesn't seem to have been the case. Multiple people on the outlet's forum report that they are still having issues with their iPhone's inability to stay powered on despite running the latest IOS 17.0.3 and upcoming IOS 17.1 updates.

What's actually happening here?

While it's clear that something is going awry with the charging cycle of some iPhones running iOS 17.1 or later, it isn't clear exactly what that might be. There is no normal reason why an iPhone would turn itself off overnight beyond the possibility that it might be getting so warm it's shutting off as a precaution.

Even more strange is the fact that these iPhones are powering themselves back on, often after a number of hours. Why an iPhone would sit dormant, powered off, for hours before turning itself back on, is anyone's guess at this point.

If these iPhones were restarting more quickly, the automatic software update mechanism could be to blame — but Apple doesn't release updates that regularly. And many of those who report this strange behavior say that they have automatic updates disabled anyway.

With so little information available as to what's causing this issue it's difficult to know what to suggest in terms of a fix. If it's happening regularly you could reach out to Apple, but considering this doesn't appear to be a hardware issue there probably isn't much to be done beyond restoring your iPhone. And that's nobody's idea of a fun time.

I'd be more concerned if the iPhone was shutting down and not powering back on, but that doesn't mean there isn't a potential safety risk here. If your iPhone really is turning itself off overnight, you're uncontactable. And that could have dire consequences depending on your situation. What's more, if you woke up during an emergency and found your phone was off, you could lose vital seconds waiting for it turn back on. 

Here's hoping Apple figures out what's happening so that it can be fixed, and soon.

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• 20 iOS 17 tips and tricks: the ultimate iPhone cheat sheet
• How to use StandBy mode in iOS 17
• iPhone keeps restarting? Here's how to fix it!