Apple rolls out iOS 17.4 beta 3 ahead of EU changes

Apple today released iOS 17.4 beta 3 for developers who are preparing this major change with applications and other changes designed for European users.

This new beta rollout has appeared after last week’s second beta. Both of these have unknown changes since there’s nothing to read in the developer changelog.

iOS 17.4 is an important upgrade for Apple to comply with the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA). This is a set of regulations to control online and digital content inside the European Union markets.

This new rule ordered the Cupertino-based tech company to open its app ecosystem, app store, and in-app purchases feature for third-party developers in the region. iPhone users in the EU can install apps from other app stores than the App Store after upgrading to iOS 17.4 and later versions.

Related – Apple iMessage is out of EU’s regulation radar

Developers can predict in-app purchases via a web payment gateway other than Apple’s own IAP system. There are certain freedoms applied to NFC use which can now be used by banking and other payment systems in Europe.

In combination, Apple has released 600 new APIs to support this forthcoming change and open more features for third-party developers to access user data. These new changes will remain limited to EU member countries and will not be applied to global users.

iOS 17.4 is underway for testing and it’s scheduled for a wide release in early March. Registered developers can download the new iOS 17.4 beta 3 by going into settings, Software Update, and then tapping on Beta Updates to select the Developer Beta. Similar steps are required to enable iPadOS beta access.

Some findings reveal that iOS 17.4 will also add several fresh emojis. It will also add AI-powered transcripts for Apple podcasts and live activity for Stopwatch. So, users can expect some more new functions aside from EU-exclusive changes.

(via – 9to5mac)