As a new edition of WWDC looms on the horizon, the entire Apple universe is rubbing its hands in anticipation of the upcoming iOS 18 and its potential integration of generative AI. It could be a landmark update for the iPhone, especially with the Apple Vision Pro co-existing. Until things get official, Apple is prioritising improving iOS 17 for the foreseeable future and out of the blue, it has dropped another notable update in the form of iOS 17.5.
Released to all compatible iPhones around the globe, the iOS 17.5 update patch brings a couple of additional features alongside fixing previously known bugs and issues. Note that the new features aren’t as drastic as the ones that were introduced previously in the lifecycle of iOS 17 but there’s enough to make a lot of iPhone users consider downloading it at once.
Moreover, this certainly won’t be the last update patch for iOS 17 since a stable release of iOS 18 is possibly several months away from us.
Hence, downloading the iOS 17.5 update should be a priority if you have a compatible iPhone model. While some of its features largely concern the European Union (EU), the rest could make your life a tad easier (and more private).
iOS 17.5 features that make it a crucial update
Installing apps from websites (for EU only)
After the EU mandate forced Apple to allow third-party app stores on iOS with the iOS 17.4 update, the newer iOS 17.5 update expands upon it by allowing app downloads from websites. This means that developers can now list their apps on websites and offer consumers to install them without heading to the Apple App Store.
This allows the developers to bypass Apple’s App Store fee and hence, pass on the benefits to users.
That said, Apple has set strict requirements for developers to be eligible for app installations via the web, including a small Core Technology Fee. It’s far from Android’s APK file format situation but should help iOS developers have alternate sources to distribute their products in the EU.
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Apple News+ is now available offline
If your region gets access to the Apple News+ subscription, you now have another reason to get it. The iOS 17.5 update adds the ability to provide the ‘Today’ feed and the ‘News+’ tab without mobile data or a Wi-Fi connection.
Additionally, the Apple News+ app now also gets a new mini-game called ‘Quartiles’ where the player needs to form words out of scrambled tiles. A new scoreboard system keeps track of statistics and streaks over time.
Third-party (non-AirTag) tracker alerts
After the massive AirTag privacy controversy, Apple has been working with Google on a cross-platform tracking detection feature. The iOS 17.5 update now activates it for iPhones and will alert users of any unknown Bluetooth-based tracking device that’s stalking them.
It is similar to how your iPhone can detect stray AirTag trackers if they are left for a long time in your vicinity. The moment your iPhone detects an unknown Bluetooth tracker, it will lead you to the manufacturer’s website to follow the instructions to disable it.
No need to deactivate ‘Find My’ while repairing an iPhone
If you have to submit your iPhone for a repair at an authorised Apple service outlet, one of the most exhaustive and risky steps is to disable Find My and Activation Lock. The iOS 17.5 update solves that with the new Repair State feature.
In the Find My app under your device section, a new ‘Remove This Device’ option leads you to activate the repair state mode. Once enabled, a ‘Ready for repair’ tag shows up and your iPhone will keep the Find My tracking switched on. This will allow the iPhone to be tracked even when the device is at the service station and in line for repairs.
New Pride Radiance wallpaper
Although the iOS 17.5 update doesn’t bring any visual changes to the overall user interface, you will find a new wallpaper carousel introduced in the Wallpaper section. The wallpaper carousel has been designed with the colours of the Pride flag to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.
iOS 17.5 compatibility: Which iPhones can download it?
The iOS 17.5 update is available to all iPhones that are already running on iOS 17. It is also available for those iPhone users who have been holding on to the older iOS 16 and have an eligible device.
The eligible devices for iOS 17.5 include:
– iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max and iPhone XR
– iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max
– iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max
– iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max
– iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max
– iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
– iPhone SE 2nd Gen, iPhone SE 3rd Gen
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(Hero and Featured Image Credits: Courtesy Szabo Viktor via Unsplash)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the best feature of the iOS 17.5 update?
The best feature in iOS 17.5 is Repair State which keeps the Find My tracking switched on while your iPhone is handed over to a service centre.
