Apple delivers a new version of its system for iPhone with iOS 174.5. It mainly targets European users but also brings some new features aimed at strengthening confidentiality and security for everyone.
Barring an annoying and urgent bug to correct, iOS 17.5 should be the last update of the mobile system which powers the iPhone before the arrival of iOS 18 logically scheduled for the next school year. It has been available for download since Monday May 13 for all iPhone users in Europe. And if in the release notes which accompany this update the list of changes made seems very short, some of them are nonetheless of great importance… especially for European users. Indeed, after iOS 17.4 which opened iPhones to third-party stores like AltStore or SetApp for downloading applications outside the App Store, the in-house store, iOS 17.5 extends the principle a little further by now authorizing sideloading. Now it’s about being able to download apps directly from a website. Even if no mention of this possibility is made in the release note.
This is a real revolution for Apple, which has always opposed this practice in order to guarantee the security of its devices. But the firm had no choice but to comply with the requirements of the European DMA (Digital Markets Act) and open the doors of its precious iPhones to competition. With iOS 17.5 we can now download apps directly from a website in the same way as with a Mac, a PC or an Android smartphone. However, it is unlikely that apps from the Web will sprout like mushrooms given the drastic criteria imposed by Cupertino to offer them. Developers must be located in the European Union, have been a member of the Apple Developer program for at least two years, and have under their belt an app downloaded more than a million times from the App Store in Europe since last year. If all criteria are met, the developer will then have to pay a fee for each installation after one million installations.
Sideloading is not the only new feature in iOS 17.5. Apple worked with Google to develop a feature that will improve privacy. iPhones are thus able to detect unknown trackers. AirTags were already identifiable but other trackers are now detectable. This helps unmask the presence of unwanted Bluetooth tracking devices. On Android, the function is also in place and also includes Apple AirTags.
Finally, the last big news is aimed at those who send their iPhone for repair. It will no longer be required to cut off the location of the device before sending it to the repairer as was the case until now. From now on, we will be able to continue to know the location of the device and follow its movements between the home and the repair center, for example. A reassuring measure in the event of theft or loss.
How to install iOS 17.5 update on an iPhone?
iOS 17.4 update has been available since last night, May 13, 2024. It targets the same series of iPhones compatible with version 17, namely:
- iPhone 15
- iPhone 15 Plus
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone Xr
- iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)
To get it, open the device settings, choose General Then Software update. The update should be offered to you. Then just press the button To update. Namely that iPads upgrade to iPadOS 17.5, Macs to macOS 14.5, AppleTVs to tvOS 17.5, HomePods to HomePod OS 10.5, Apple Watches to watchOS 10.5, and even Apple Vision Pros upgrade to visionOS 1.2.