This month, Apple will unveil iOS 17.4, the largest software update for iPhones this year, which includes several additions and modifications that customers have been waiting for a long time.

Ten new features that your iPhone will be able to perform once you’ve loaded the update—which is expected to be available by March 7—are mentioned below. When the time comes, make sure to start downloading by going to Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your device.

1. Produce transcripts for podcasts

You will be able to read along with your favourite podcasts as they are spoken thanks to Apple’s addition of audio transcripts to the Podcasts app for iPhone. It sounds a lot like the lyrics on Apple Music, if you’re familiar with those.

Additionally, you can look for particular words or phrases in the automatically created podcast transcripts to jump to that section of the discussion. From there, you can tap to play the audio track.

2. Prevent Quantum Attacks on Messages

PQ3, a new cryptographic security feature, is coming to iMessage from Apple. Apple claims that this “state-of-the-art” and “groundbreaking” protocol offers “extensive defences against even highly sophisticated quantum attacks.”

Although Apple acknowledges that the cryptographic techniques now in use by messaging applications rely on mathematical puzzles that may one day be solved by quantum computers, the company nonetheless offers end-to-end encryption through its iMessage service. Apple has developed the PQ3 protocol as a way to reduce that danger.

3. Next-Generation CarPlay compatibility

Later in 2024, next-generation CarPlay is scheduled to debut in the United States. In the meantime, iOS 17.4 adds support for a tonne of new apps, such as tyre pressure monitoring, climate management, rear-view camera feed, electric vehicle charging status, and more.

Later in 2024, next-generation CarPlay is scheduled to debut in the United States. In the meantime, iOS 17.4 adds support for a tonne of new apps, such as tyre pressure monitoring, climate management, rear-view camera feed, electric vehicle charging status, and more.

Apple stated that committed automakers included Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche, Renault, and Volvo when it originally revealed next-generation CarPlay. Apple has not yet stated whether or not cars with support for traditional CarPlay will be able to use any of the next-generation CarPlay capabilities.

4. Siri Can Read Messages Sent in Different Languages

Before iOS 17, there was just one way that Siri could communicate with Messages: she could dictate messages and have them sent automatically without requiring your confirmation.

However, starting with iOS 17.4, Siri can now read messages to you in a language other than the one in which she listens and responds. If you’re studying a new language or are bilingual, for instance, it’s a handy option to have.

5. Protection Against Stolen Devices Away From Home

Apple added Stolen Device Protection in iOS 17.3 to make it more difficult for a burglar to access passcode-protected data on a stolen iPhone. When this feature is activated, you can’t access passwords in iCloud Keychain, Lost Mode settings, erase device preferences, or make purchases in Safari without using Face ID or Touch ID.

The feature puts a one-hour security delay on tasks such as resetting an Apple ID password, in addition to the new biometric requirements. A new feature in iOS 17.4 only calls for a security delay when your device is outside of well-known areas like your house or place of business.

6. Stopwatch Live Activity

Until now, Apple has not, for whatever reason, provided Live Activity support for the Clock app’s stopwatch feature.

Any Stopwatch that is currently running on iOS 17.4 will appear in the Dynamic Island and on the Lock Screen. From there, you can pause, clear, and begin a new lap using the controls provided.

7. Create Virtual Card Numbers for Apple Cash

When Apple Pay isn’t available online, owners of iPhones running iOS 17.4 will be able to create a virtual card number for using Apple Cash.

With an Apple Cash pre-paid card, customers can pay off their Apple Card, send money to friends and family via peer-to-peer Apple Pay, deposit funds into bank accounts, and make online purchases using Apple Pay. Users of Apple Cash will be able to spend their balance even in cases where an online retailer does not accept Apple Pay thanks to the new virtual card capability.

8. App Assistance for Online Gaming Platforms

Finally, iOS 17.4 will allow streaming game apps to be available globally on the App Store. This implies that services like Nvidia GeForce NOW and Xbox Cloud Gaming can be made available as stand-alone iPhone and iPad apps.

Previously, Apple only permitted cloud gaming services to be made available online, but in the near future, it will allow customers to stream games from servers through dedicated apps. Plug-ins, chatbots, mini-apps, and mini-games will all be able to utilise the in-app purchase system.

9. Choose a Contactless Payment Service Provider.

With iOS 17.4, banks and third-party payment apps can use iPhones’ NFC chips to facilitate contactless payments within the European Economic Area without utilising Apple Pay or the Wallet app. Customers in this area will be able to select a primary contactless payment option that can be used at payment terminals or by double-tapping the Side button on an iPhone.

Users in the EU will be able to choose and control their chosen contactless payment provider using the Settings app. All of the apps that have been approved to use contactless payments are also listed in this section. Furthermore, iPhone users in the EU will be able to change the default Wallet app on their devices.

10. App Store Support for Alternatives

The EU will allow app makers to provide alternate app shops or allow users to install their apps through alternate stores. This implies that instead of using Apple’s App shop by default, customers in the EU will be able to choose their favourite third-party app shop as the default app store on their device. The Settings app has a setting for this that EU users will notice.

Furthermore, parents can control whether their children’s devices can download apps from other app stores by using the Screen Time setting. When an app from an other app store includes malware, users in the EU will also see a pop-up warning.