iOS 17.4 has been released, opening up a whole new world for iPhone users.

This is an update to iOS 17 that allows European iPhone users to access third-party app stores. However, EU digital market law requires Apple to provide the option to download apps from third-party app stores. However, Apple is still to approve what apps are allowed from third-party app stores.

EU users will also be able to set a new default web browser, and Apple Pay and NFC will be opened up to allow users alternative payment methods.

The downside of being an EU iPhone user is that iOS 17.4 is set to remove support for Progressive Web Apps (PWAs). PWAs are designed for services not allowed in Apple's App Store and were previously included game streaming platforms such as Xbox Game Pass; PWAs are supposed to provide an app-like experience in a web browser tab, allowing for a full-screen experience and shortcuts on the home screen.

Apple initially announced that the feature would be disabled in the EU. However, in a subsequent announcement, Apple indicated that it would reverse that decision.

While support for third-party apps may be limited to the EU, the iOS 17.4 update brings several other notable changes that all iPhone users will experience. The following are the biggest changes added in iOS 17.4.

The built-in Podcasts app now includes transcripts of episodes. The real value of this additional feature is that it makes it easier to search for specific words or phrases that you remember hearing. You can get the full transcript of an episode, search for what you are looking for, and tap on the text to jump to a specific part of the recording.

Transcripts will be available in English, French, German, and Spanish, and transcripts will be automatically generated when the episode is first published. According to Apple, previously released episodes will also have transcripts later.

The iOS 17.4 update will make available six new emojis, including a brown mushroom, phoenix, broken chain, lime wedge, and a head shaking or nodding emoji. Users will also be able to choose from six new family emoji combinations and six emoji updates that allow users to choose the direction of the face of a person walking, running, kneeling, with a white cane, in a manual wheelchair, or in a motorized wheelchair.

For those times when Apple Pay is not available, iOS 17.4 allows users to use Safari's AutoFill feature to generate a virtual card number for online shopping. (Since this virtual card is used through Apple Cash, it works like a debit card and can only be used for the amount of cash you have on hand.

This virtual card feature is intended to make online shopping more secure because it makes it difficult for fraudsters to copy and reuse the number.

Game streaming apps like Xbox Game Pass are now allowed in Apple's App Store. iOS 17.4 changed this but may have to wait for additional App Store support.

There are other minor tweaks and fixes in iOS 17.4. Notable changes include:

To download iOS 17.4, go to the Settings app, tap General, and select Software Update. iOS 17.4 should be waiting for you to download. Follow the on-screen instructions to update to the new version.

iOS 17.4 will work on any iPhone running an earlier version of iOS 17. iPadOS 17.4 has also been released.