iOS 17
The fourth round of betas for iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.4 have been rolled out to developers, still missing Apple Music SharePlay.
Developers taking part in Apple’s beta program can acquire new builds via the Apple Developer Center or more directly by updating their devices already running the betas via the Settings app. Public beta versions typically arrive a short while after the developer versions, and can be sign up to through the Apple Beta Software Program website.
The fourth developer betas of iOS 17.4, iPadOS 17.4, tvOS 17.4, watchOS 10.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.4 replace the third betas from February 13. The second second developer beta round were released on February 6.
The new iOS and iPadOS betas have build number 21E5209b replacing the previous build, number 21E5200d. The fourth beta build of tvOS 17.4 and the HomePod operating system has build number 21L5222a replacing the third, 21L5212d.
The fourth watchOS 10.4 beta has build number 21T5213a, taking over from 21T5202e. The fourth macOS Sonoma 14.4 build is number 23E5205c, replacing the second, 23E5196e.
Apple Music SharePlay was removed from the third beta round. It does not appear to have been restored in the fourth beta round.
The biggest changes in iOS 17.4 include App Store alterations designed to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act. A new dialogue box icon in the lower-left corner has been added to Podcasts, Music changes Listen Now to Home, Stolen Device Protection, message-reading language support changes in Siri, additional game streaming app support, and a bunch of new emoji are also on the list.
It appears the main watchOS 10.4 changes include new emoji characters and an option to disable Double Tap on the Apple Watch when using the Apple Vision Pro, since the headset relies on hand gestures.
As tvOS updates don’t tend to progress much further than performance improvements and bug fixes, it’s doubtful that we will see any feature changes for tvOS 17.4.
Lastly, macOS Sonoma 14.4 gains support for new emoji characters.
AppleInsider and Apple strongly suggest users don’t install test operating systems or other beta or RC software on “mission-critical” or primary devices, as there is the small chance of issues that could result in the loss of data. Testers should instead use secondary or non-essential hardware and ensure they have sufficient backups of their critical data at all times.
