What’s New in iOS 17.4 Beta 4?
Apple released the fourth beta version of iOS 17.4 Beta 4 to developers on 20 February 2024, bringing exciting new features, improvements, and bug fixes. This update is expected to be the final public release before iOS 17.5 arrives, paving the way for potential changes mandated by upcoming EU regulations. Let’s delve into the details of what iOS 17.4 beta 4 has in store for users.
A Warm Welcome Awaits
Gone are the days of generic boot screens. iOS 17.4 beta 4 introduces a personalized touch by displaying your profile picture upon rebooting your device. This adds a welcoming and familiar feel to the startup experience.
Enhanced Battery Management
Understanding your device’s battery health and performance has become easier with the redesigned battery settings in iOS 17.4 beta 4. The layout has been optimized for better accessibility, allowing you to quickly access relevant information and optimize battery usage.
CarPlay Gets a Boost
For users with compatible car models, iOS 17.4 beta 4 unlocks a new “instrument cluster experience” within CarPlay. This feature displays upcoming turns and exits directly on your car’s dashboard, enhancing navigation and reducing the need to glance at your phone screen while driving.
Beyond the Headlines
Aside from the major features, iOS 17.4 beta 4 comes with several subtle refinements:
- Updated Home Tabs: The “For You” and “Browse” tabs in the Podcasts and Music apps have been renamed to “Listen Now” and “Explore,” respectively, for improved clarity.
- Wider Safari Address Bar: The address bar in Safari has been slightly widened, providing more space to view website URLs.
- Identifiable Region Option: A new “Identifiable Region” setting has been added, potentially related to upcoming privacy regulations.
- Siri Shortcut for Germany: German users can now enjoy a new Siri shortcut, although its specific functionality remains undisclosed.
- Emoji Expansion: Seven new emojis, including a bandaged heart, a face blowing out, and a face with clouds, have been added to the emoji keyboard. Additionally, users can now access more family emoji variations with different genders and skin tones.
Bug Fixes and Stability
This beta update also addresses various reported issues, including bugs related to ObjectCaptureView, PhotogrammetrySession creation, and memory leaks. These fixes aim to improve overall system stability and performance.
While iOS 17.4 beta 4 focuses on new features and improvements, you might also be interested in learning how to clear your iPhone’s cache to free up storage space and potentially improve performance. Check out our guide on How to Clear the Cache on iPhone in Simple Steps for a quick and easy walkthrough on managing your device’s storage effectively.
Note: It’s crucial to remember that iOS 17.4 beta 4 is still under development and might contain bugs or unexpected behavior. Installing it on your primary device is not recommended. This version is primarily intended for developers to test their apps and provide feedback to Apple before the final public release.
Looking Ahead
With the release of iOS 17.4 beta 4, Apple is inching closer to the final public version. The expected release date remains unconfirmed, but speculations suggest it could arrive sometime in March 2024. As we await the official launch, this beta update offers a glimpse into the exciting features and enhancements that Apple has in store for iPhone and iPad users.
