iOS 17.5 Beta: New Features, Changes and Release Date

Apple released it iOS 17.5, the fifth major update for the iOS 17 operating system released in September 2023. While iOS 17.4 mainly focused on regulatory changes in the European Union, the iOS 17.5 brings some interesting new features and improvements.

Let's see what's new:

Downloading Apps from a different Store (EU Only):

• iOS 17.5 brings support for sideloading apps in the European Union. This allows developers to distribute their applications directly to their websites, without having to go through App Store.
• The ability to download apps from websites is limited to iPhone and iPad and is only available in the EU.
• Developers must meet certain requirements, such as being a member of the Apple Developer Program for two years and having over one million iOS installs in the previous year.
• All apps downloaded from websites on iPhone are controlled by Apple and Apple charges €0,50 as a basic technology fee.

Podcast Graphic:

• The Podcasts widget on the home screen or lock screen now has a dynamically changing background that adapts to the cover of the podcast that is playing.

Mobile Device Management:

• MDM solutions can now enforce a specific beta version when automatically enrolling devices. This makes initial device setup easier for enterprise users.

AppleNews+:

• Apple News+ is getting a new daily word game called Quartiles. The game challenges players to match tiles to form words and earn points. Quartiles is only available to Apple News+ subscribers.

Changes to the Code:

• iOS 17.5 code hints at future features, including:
  • Support for third-party object detectors, which could alert users when they are near unknown object detectors.
  • A “Block all participants” option for group FaceTime calls.
  • A new function “squeeze” for the Apple Pencil, presumably to complete actions with a tap.
  • A “Battery Health” section for iPad, similar to what already exists on iPhones.

Release date:

• iOS 17.5 is expected to be released in early May 2024, likely alongside the new iPads that Apple is rumored to launch in the same month.