iOS 17.5 Beta 1 Unveiled: Discover Four Fresh Features for iPhone Users

On Tuesday, Apple launched the first beta version of iOS 17.5 for developers, enabling them to explore new features in the update.

The first beta of iOS 17.5 doesn’t bring significant updates, but it includes minor adjustments to comply with the new Digital Markets Act (DMA) regulations set by the EU.

4 New Innovations in iOS 17.5

If you hold a developer account, you can check out the updates on your own by going to Settings, then General, followed by Software Updates, and finally Beta Updates to get iOS 17.5 beta 1. As stated earlier, don’t anticipate major changes — the updates are quite small.

You might not have spotted these minor updates in the operating system unless highlighted:

• In Apple Books, the icon for “reading goals” has a new look.
• In the Settings app, there’s a fresh icon for “Passkeys Access for Web Browsers.”
• The Apple Podcasts widget has been updated with a dynamic design that adapts to match the artwork of the podcast you’re tuning into.

The Find My app will now identify tracking devices not certified by Apple, and users will also be able to turn these off.

For those managing mobile devices (MDMs), often in a business setting where they remotely oversee Apple devices of employees, beta versions can be applied during automatic device sign-up, as noted by Aaron Perris on X.

New in iOS/iPadOS 17.5 and macOS 14.5: MDM solutions can now enforce a beta version during automated device enrollment!

— Aaron (@aaronp613) April 2, 2024

In March, Apple shared that to follow the EU’s DMA regulations, developers would be allowed to offer their apps through a website instead of just the Apple App Store.

With the release of iOS 17.5 beta 1, Apple is starting to implement this strategy by introducing support for installing apps from the web in the latest update.

But remember, Apple isn’t making iOS completely unregulated. The tech company from Cupertino will still ask developers to follow specific rules to keep the operating system secure. Also, as Apple mentioned, apps can “be downloaded only from a website domain that the developer has listed in App Store Connect.”

Curious about when iOS 17.5 will be available to everyone? It’s anticipated to be released in May, before iOS 18 is unveiled at WWDC 2024.

What do we think?

I think iOS 17.5 will be interesting, especially for us developers. It’s not packed with big changes, but it’s cool to see Apple adjusting things for the EU laws. I like the new icons and the podcast widget change.

The part about spotting non-Apple trackers in Find My is neat. Installing apps from the web is a big step. Can’t wait to see how this all works out in May!