By AppleVis, 5 March, 2024
Apple has today released iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 to the public, which
include some bug fixes and improvements for VoiceOver and Braille users.
Based on our testing, here are the key changes and issues addressed in these
updates:
* The issue where VoiceOver's image description feature would
intermittently stop working
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceovers-image-description-feature-inte
rmittently-stops-working> appears to have been resolved, although as only
one member of our team has reported experiencing this issue, we aren't in a
position to say if it will be a widespread fix. We would appreciate if users
who have experienced this issue could test the new update and let us know if
the image description feature is now working reliably.
* When composing a message in the Mail app with a Perkins-style
keyboard, the cursor will no longer jump around randomly during typing.
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/when-composing-message-mail-app-perkins-s
tyle-keyboard-cursor-will-jump-around-randomly>
* VoiceOver users are now able to reliably navigate Action Button
configuration.
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/voiceover-users-unable-reliably-navigate-
action-button-configuration>
Further to these possible fixes, Apple has adjusted the default Double-Tap
Timeout in Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver from 0.25s to 0.35s, likely
as an attempt to resolve the intermittent failure of the double-tap and
triple-tap gestures that some have been experiencing since the release of
iOS 17.0.
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/intermittent-failure-voiceover-double-tap
-triple-tap-gestures> Our testing suggests that this new timeout does
reduce the frequency of this issue, but it does not completely eliminate it.
We encourage users who have been affected by the double-tap and triple-tap
gesture issues to test the new 0.35s timeout and let us know if it improves
the situation or if reverting back to a setting of either 0.45s or 0.50s is
still required as a workaround.
We are currently aware of three new bugs introduced in these releases:
* The Misspelled Words rotor option is missing when composing a new
message in the Mail app..
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/misspelled-words-rotor-option-missing-whe
n-composing-new-message-mail-app>
* When you have set VoiceOver to use a secondary voice using the
language rotor, it reverts to the primary voice when focused on items in the
status bar.
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/when-focused-status-bar-voiceover-speaks-
primary-voice-when-you-have-set-it-speak>
* When configuring the
<https://www.applevis.com/bugs/ios/wpm-minimum-maximum-values-not-spoken-pro
perly-voiceover-voice-settings-some-voices> "Per Voice" settings for certain
VoiceOver voices like Fred and Ralph, the values for the WPM Minimum and WPM
Maximum settings are not spoken correctly. Instead of announcing the numeric
value, VoiceOver announces "WPM_format."
We are currently unaware of any additional fixes or new bugs for blind or
low vision users in these releases.
With our small team, it's impossible to test every device, configuration,
app, and use case. We can't claim our lists of new and resolved bugs are
comprehensive or that our assessments are infallible. Some issues may
manifest only under specific conditions. You likely won't experience every
bug. Also, expect to encounter problems not listed that we missed in our
testing. Please let us know in the comments if you encounter any other
improvements or new bugs introduced in these updates. Community feedback is
invaluable in helping us keep this page up-to-date and accurate.
If you live in the European Union, the iOS 17.4 release introduces a large
number of changes to comply with the Digital Markets Act. These include some
600 new APIs, expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser
engines, access to NFC for mobile payment systems, and options for
processing app payments and distributing iOS apps outside the App Store. An
Apple press release
<https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2024/01/apple-announces-changes-to-ios-safar
i-and-the-app-store-in-the-european-union/> covers many of the changes.
iOS 17.4 Release Notes
This update introduces new emoji, transcripts in Apple Podcasts and includes
other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.
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
The iPadOS 17.4 release notes are mostly identical; lacking the fixes which
are phone-specific and including the following fix:
* Safari Favorites Bar adds an option to show only icons for websites
How to Update
iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings >
General > Software Update) via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later,
or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.
Before updating, we strongly recommend making a full and complete backup of
your device (either locally or in iCloud, depending on personal preference).
This will ensure that, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong
during the update process, you will have a current backup on hand in case a
device restore becomes necessary. Also, if using OTA update, we recommend
plugging your device into a power source for the duration of the
download/installation process, so as to prevent the unlikely event of your
battery going dead during the update.
More information on how to update the software on your device is available
on
this Apple Support page. <https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204204>
