Apple Teases iOS 17.5 Update with Exciting New Features for iPhones, Coming Soon

Apple announced today that iOS 17.5 will be released to the public “soon,” after more than a month of beta testing. While the software update is relatively minor, it has some new features and changes, as described in the list below.

“The new Pride Radiance watch face and wallpapers for iPhone and iPad will be available soon with watchOS 10.5, iOS 17.5, and iPadOS 17.5,” Apple said in its press release introducing a new Pride Edition band for the Apple Watch.

Below, we round up everything new in the iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 betas so far.

Web Distribution

Starting with the second beta version of iOS 17.5, eligible developers can distribute their iOS apps to iPhone users located in the EU directly on the web, rather than through the App Store or an alternative app marketplace.

More Read

Apple Music app in iOS 18 will allow for smarter song transitions

iPads, Macbooks, AirPods and more up to 32 percent off

“Web Distribution” is limited to larger developers based in the EU. To qualify for this distribution method, Apple says the developer must be a member of the Apple Developer Program for two continuous years or more and have an app that has had more than one million annual installs on iOS in the EU in the year. previous calendar.

“Web Distribution” is based on the alternative app markets that Apple already allows on the iPhone in the EU starting with iOS 17.4. Apple has made these app-related changes to comply with the EU Digital Markets Act.

iOS 17.5 Quartiles

iOS 17.5 includes a fun addition for Apple News+ subscribers: a daily word game called Quartiles.

Quartiles tasks you with combining tiles to form words and earn points. Each puzzle starts with a grid of 20 tiles and words can be formed with one to four tiles. A quartile is a four-tile word, and if you find all five in each puzzle, you get a 40-point bonus. The website Gadget Hacks shared a walkthrough of the game with more details.

Quartiles is the third puzzle game included with an Apple News+ subscription, along with Crossword and Crossword Mini. Starting with the iOS 17.5 beta, all three games integrate with Game Center to display leaderboards.

On an iPhone updated to iOS 17.5 beta, quartiles can be found in the Apple News app under the Next → Puzzles tab. The game is also available on iPad and Mac starting with beta versions of iPadOS 17.5 and macOS 14.5.

Apple News+ is available in the US, Australia, Canada, and the UK, but puzzle games appear to be limited to the US and Canada for now.

Repair mode

iOS 17.5 introduces a “Repair Status” option that allows you to send an ‌iPhone‌ for repair without turning off Find My and Activation Lock.

Apple Podcasts Widget That Changes Color

While listening to a podcast in the iOS 17.5 beta, the background color of the Apple Podcasts widget changes to match the podcast cover. This feature was first added in the iOS 17.4 beta but was removed before the update was released.

Mobile device management

As noted by Aaron PerryMDM solutions may enforce an iOS beta during device auto-enrollment starting with iOS 17.5 beta.

Code changes

Battery status menu for future iPads

The first beta version of iPadOS 17.5 added several new references to the Battery Health menu on the iPad, but the feature is not yet visible. The menu is expected to display the maximum remaining battery capacity of an iPad and the charge cycle count.

A sample of the code strings added in iPadOS 17.5 beta:

• “The iPad should be used regularly while not connected to power to display its full capabilities.”
• “This is the number of times the iPad has used up battery capacity.”
• “iPad battery works as expected.”
• “iPad batteries, like all rechargeable batteries, have a limited life and may eventually need to be repaired or replaced.”
• “The original battery was designed to retain service for defective batteries in addition to rights provided under local consumer laws.”

There is no visible Battery Health menu on any existing iPad models running iPadOS 17.5 beta, leading us to believe that the menu may be limited to the new iPad Pro and iPad Air models expected to launch this month, and probably to other new iPads. released in the future. Apple has shown battery capacity information on iPhones for many years, but cycle count information is currently limited to the latest iPhone 15 series.

New apple pencil

In the iPadOS 17.5 beta, there are possible references to a new fourth-generation Apple Pencil, amid rumors that the accessory will be updated soon.

The beta version includes a hidden code reference to a “V4” version of the Apple Pencil:

NumberOfConnectionsApplePencilV1Count
NumberOfConnectionsApplePencilV2Count
NumberOfConnectionsApplePencilV3Count
NumberOfConnectionsApplePencilV4Count

A new Apple Pencil is rumored to be launching alongside the updated iPad Pro and iPad Air models this month. Apple refers to the USB-C version of the Apple Pencil released last year as the third-generation Apple Pencil in iOS code, so the fourth-generation model would be a new version that would likely succeed the second-generation Apple Pencil.

Additional code in the iOS 17.5 beta suggests that the Apple Pencil could get a “squeeze” gesture for certain actions, and haptic feedback is also expected.

Third-Party Item Tracking Alerts

Apple and Google jointly announced a proposed industry specification last year to help combat the misuse of Bluetooth item trackers for unwanted tracking of people. As part of this initiative, Apple promised to expand AirTag-style “Found Moving With You” alerts to third-party item trackers in a future software update, which happens to be iOS 17.5.

The first beta version of iOS 17.5 added references to alerts for third-party item trackers. For example: “You can disable this item and prevent it from sharing its location with the owner. To do so, follow the instructions provided on a website by the manufacturer of this item.”

Keynote USA

For Latest Apple News. Follow @Keynote USA News on Twitter Or Google News.