iOS 17.4 Update Released to Download with New Emoji, Podcasts Transcripts, & Bug Fixes

Apple has released iOS 17.4 update for iPhone, and ipadOS 17.4 update for iPad.

The iOS/iPadOS 17.4 updates feature new Emoji icons including a phoenix and mushroom, a podcasts transcription feature, a handful of bug fixes and security updates, along with some minor additions and changes. European users also gain some specific new capabilities that allow them to add apps from outside the App Store, but users outside the EU zone will not have those options.

Separately, macOS Sonoma 14.4, watchOS 14.4, tvOS 14.4, and visionOS 1.1 are not yet available, but are expected to launch in the near future.

How to Download & Install iOS 17.4 / iPadOS 17.4 Update

You will want to make sure that you backup the iPhone or iPad to iCloud or a computer before starting the software update. Doing so makes sure you do not lose your data in the rare event that something goes wrong.

1. Open the “Settings” app on iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “General”
3. Select “Software Update”
4. Choose to “Update Now” for iOS 17.4 / iPadOS 17.4 to start the download and update process

Installing iOS 17.4 or iPadOS 17.4 requires the iPhone or iPad to restart, as usual.

You can also update your iPhone or iPad by connecting your device to a computer with Finder, or iTunes, or the newer Apple Devices app in Windows.

Advanced users can also use IPSW files to update their devices manually, though there’s little reason to take that approach for the majority of users.

iOS 17.4 IPSW Download Links

• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Plus
• iPhone 15
• iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14
• iPhone SE (3rd generation)
• iPhone 13
• iPhone 13 Pro
• iPhone 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 mini
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro
• iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 mini
• iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 11
• iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)

iPadOS 17.4 IPSW Download Links

• 11-in. iPad Pro (4th generation), 12.9-in. iPad Pro (6th generation)
• 10.2-in. iPad (10th generation)
• iPad Air (5th Generation)
• iPad mini (6th generation)
• 10.2-in. iPad (9th generation)
• 11-in. iPad Pro (3rd generation), 12.9-in. iPad Pro (5th generation)
• iPad Air (4th generation)
• 10.2-in. iPad (8th generation)
• 11-in. iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generations), 12.9-in. iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generations)
• 10.5-in. iPad Pro (1st generation), 12.9-in. iPad Pro (2nd generation)
• iPad (6th generation)
• iPad mini (5th generation), iPad Air (3rd generation)
• 10.2-in. iPad (7th generation)

iOS 17.4 Release Notes

Release notes accompanying the iOS 17.4 update are included below:

Emoji
– New mushroom, phoenix, lime, broken chain, and shaking heads emoji are now available in the emoji keyboard
– 18 people and body emoji add the option to face them in either direction

Apple Podcasts
– Transcripts let you follow an episode with text that highlights in sync with the audio in English, Spanish, French and German
– Episode text can be read in full, searched for a word or phrase, tapped to play from a specific point and used with accessibility features such as Text Size, Increase Contrast, and VoiceOver

This update includes the following enhancements and bug fixes:
– Music recognition lets you add songs you have identified to your Apple Music Playlists and Library, as well as Apple Music Classical
– Siri has a new option to announce messages you receive in any supported language
– Stolen Device Protection supports the option for increased security in all locations
– Battery Health in Settings shows battery cycle count, manufacture date, and first use on iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro models
– Call Identification displays Apple-verified business name, logo, and department name when available
– Business updates in Messages for Business provide trusted information for order status, flight notifications, fraud alerts or other transactions you opt into
– Apple Cash virtual card numbers enable you to pay with Apple Cash at merchants that don’t yet accept Apple Pay by typing in your number from Wallet or using Safari AutoFill
– Fixes an issue where contact pictures are blank in Find My
– Fixes an issue for Dual SIM users where the phone number changes from primary to secondary and is visible to a group they have messaged

Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222

Additional system software updates for MacOS, WatchOS, tvOS, and visionOS, are expected soon as well.