iOS 17.4 beta has been obtainable to builders and beta testers since final month, and it brings rather a lot of important modifications comparable to App Marketplaces for putting in apps outdoors the App Store within the EU. As the Digital Markets Act (DMA) antitrust laws deadline is approaching, it appears that evidently Apple is on the brink of launch iOS 17.4 RC as quickly as tomorrow.

iOS 17.4 RC coming quickly ahead of DMA deadline

According to X consumer @aaronp613, who has turn into recognized for posting tidbits about Apple software program updates, the corporate has been quietly rolling out some modifications to the App Store backend to formally allow help for App Marketplaces. The EU has set March 6, 2024 because the deadline for tech corporations to adjust to the DMA.

When it involves Apple, the corporate has been pressured to permit iPhone customers to put in apps from different app shops, which can be doable with iOS 17.4. The replace additionally allows net browsers to have their very own engine as a substitute of utilizing Apple’s WebKit, one thing that was additionally required by the EU with the DMA.

Apple usually distributes Release Candidate (RC) builds a couple of days earlier than the official launch of a serious replace to verify every thing is working as supposed. If iOS 17.4 RC turns into obtainable tomorrow for beta testers, the ultimate model is more likely to be launched to everybody subsequent Monday or Tuesday.

More about iOS 17.4

For non-EU customers, iOS 17.4 additionally brings another modifications and new options. For occasion, the replace improves Stolen Device Protection with a brand new choice to at all times require the safety delay, not simply in unknown areas. It additionally provides new emoji, transcriptions in Apple Podcasts, and enhancements to CarPlay.

Along with iOS 17.4, Apple can also be anticipated to launch watchOS 10.4, tvOS 17.4, and macOS Sonoma 14.4.