iOS 17.4 is Out With DMA Changes for EU Users

Apple has just released iOS 17.4, which brings changes to how the platform and the App Store work for users in the European Union. To comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), iOS 17.4 will allow EU users to install apps from alternative app stores, install web browsers that use other engines than Apple’s WebKit, and more.

iOS 17.4 also includes important changes for all users across the world: Apple now allows cloud gaming apps on the App Store, and the Apple Podcasts app now offers automated podcast transcriptions. The update also improves the Stolen Device Protection and Battery Health features in the Settings app, and it also adds various new emoji.

Here are the biggest changes included in iOS 17.4

Alternative app stores (EU only): EU users will be able to install alternative App Stores from the web. Epic Games already announced that it will bring its Epic Games Store to iOS in 2024.

Alternative browser engines (EU only): EU users will be able to install and use web browsers that use other engines than Apple’s WebKit.

Default browser choice (EU only): When opening Safari for the first time, EU users will see a ballot screen where they can choose their default web browser and get it from the App Store if it’s not already installed.

Alternative payment options in apps (EU only): Developers can now offer alternative payment options for their apps in the App Store.

New emoji: This update adds new mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji

Apple Podcasts transcripts: The Apple Podcasts app now offers automated transcripts in English, Spanish, French and German

Music recognition: The built-in music recognition feature via Siri on iOS now lets users add identified songs to their libraries in Apple Music.

Siri improvements: The AI assistant can now announce received messages in any supported language

Stolen Device Protection: The security feature introduced on iOS 17.3 now offers the option for increased security in all locations.

Battery Health improvements: The feature now shows more details including battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models.

Apple Cash virtual card numbers: iPhone users can now pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don’t yet accept Apple Pay by typing in their number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill.

Apple has also released iPadOS 17.4 today, but this update doesn’t include all the DMA-related changes that Apple made in iOS 17.4. That’s because iPadOS, which has a smaller user base than iOS, wasn’t designated by the EU Commission as a “core platform service” that needs to be regulated under the DMA.

While iPadOS users in the EU won’t be able to enjoy alternative app stores and alternative browser engines, they’re still getting new emoji, Apple Podcasts transcripts, and the rest of the iOS 17.4 updates that aren’t related to the DMA.