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Apple Releases iOS 17.5 With Cross-Platform Tracking Detection, EU App Downloads From Websites and More

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Apple today released iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5, major updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating system updates that came out last September. The 17.5 updates come more than two months after the launch of iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4.

iOS 17
iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

In the European Union, iOS 17.5 brings support for web-based app distribution. iPhone users can download apps directly from developer websites, without the need to use the App Store.

There are new features for Apple News+, such as an offline mode, and tracking notifications are now available cross-platform for alerts about Bluetooth trackers regardless of platform. Apple's full release notes:

Apple News
- Offline mode in Apple News+ gives you access to the Today feed and News+ tab, even when you don't have an internet connection
- Quartiles is a new and original daily word game that is now available in Apple News+
- Scoreboard in News+ Puzzles gives you access to new player data for Crossword, Mini Crossword and Quartiles, including stats and streaks

Tracking Notifications
- Cross-Platform Tracking Detection delivers notifications to users if a compatible Bluetooth tracker they do not own is moving with them, regardless of what operating system the device is paired with

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

More information on the new features in iOS 17.5 can be found in our iOS 17.5 features guide.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

eveluvsrainbows Avatar
eveluvsrainbows
28 months ago

Lol still need to enter my pin / password after a reboot / update. Isn’t touchID / faceID suppose to be secure? This company is a joke.
ummm..that's kind of the point of security? you need to use your passcode to be able to unlock the secure enclave which is where your face / fingerprint data is stored. you basically wanting apple to reduce security just because you don't want to enter your passcode after a restart is honestly quite silly.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Realityck Avatar
Realityck
28 months ago

Not much of interest outside the EU.
Actually I found 17.5 more solid in daily usage them earlier releases.

Released today

* iOS 17.5 (21F79) - May 13, 2024
* iPadOS 17.5 (21F79) - May 13, 2024
* macOS 14.5 (23F79) - May 13, 2024
* tvOS 17.5 (21L569) - May 13, 2024
* watchOS 10.5 (21T576) - May 13, 2024
* iOS 16.7.8 (20H343) - May 13, 2024
* iPadOS 16.7.8 (20H343) - May 13, 2024
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mrat93 Avatar
mrat93
28 months ago

thank god they still kept in the core technology fee. good move.
Thank god that Apple came up with the Core Technology Fee. This per-download fee is fundamental to iOS security in the EU. I get sick thinking about an EU without the Core Technology Fee. 🤮
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
morphineseason
28 months ago
I remember when .5 releases used to be pretty significant. Now we get a pride wallpaper and updates for an app that nobody uses. Hopefully there's some solid bug fixes under the hood.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ApplesAreSweet&Sour Avatar
ApplesAreSweet&Sour
28 months ago
Is it possible to revert to 17.4.1 from 17.5 after installing an app from something like altstore.io?


..just asking for a friend.

😥

Attachment Image
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TigerNike23 Avatar
TigerNike23
28 months ago

ummm..that's kind of the point of security? you need to use your passcode to be able to unlock the secure enclave which is where your face / fingerprint data is stored. you basically wanting apple to reduce security just because you don't want to enter your passcode after a restart is honestly quite silly.
100%. Biometrics are good for a “session” of use. A restart ends that “session”, thus needing a reauthentication.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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