Apple has recently released iOS 17.5 Beta 2 to registered developers, with a public beta release expected soon. This update comes alongside the second beta for iPadOS 17.5, watchOS 10.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, tvOS 17.5, and visionOS 1.2. Additionally, older macOS versions 13.6.7 and 12.7.19 have received their second RC build.
EU Users Can Now Download Apps Directly from Websites
One of the most significant changes in iOS 17.5 Beta 2 is the ability for EU users to download applications directly from third-party websites. This feature was announced a few weeks ago but was not implemented until this beta release. Although the functionality may be limited until the public release of iOS 17.5, it marks a notable change in Apple’s app distribution policies for the European market.
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Bug Fixes and Improvements
iOS 17.5 Beta 2 addresses several bugs and issues that were present in the previous beta:
- The placeholder text bug in the Settings app’s Battery section has been resolved.
- The Mail app’s banner notification bug, which caused badges to appear on the app icon without displaying banner notifications for received emails, has been fixed.
- An accessibility bug mentioned in the Beta 1 release notes has been resolved.
However, a new known issue has been reported in the release notes for Beta 2, related to the wallpaper. After restoring a device, the “Add New Wallpaper” sheet may not load any content. As a workaround, users can reboot the device and change the wallpaper from the lock screen.
New Features in the News App
The News app in iOS 17.5 Beta 2 introduces leaderboards, allowing users to see how they rank among friends and other solvers in Game Center. This feature is accessible through the Following section in the News app, under the Puzzles tab. Users can view leaderboards for specific games and compare their performance with friends and global players.
Performance and Battery Life Improvements
Initial impressions suggest that iOS 17.5 Beta 2 offers improved performance and battery life compared to Beta 1. A Geekbench test conducted on an iPhone 15 Pro Max running Beta 2 showed higher scores than Beta 1, with a single-core score of 2929 and a multi-core score of 7257. While more extensive testing is needed to confirm these improvements, early indications are promising.
Controversial Emoji Search Suggestion Removed
In response to backlash on social media, Apple has removed a controversial emoji search suggestion in iOS 17.5 Beta 2. Previously, when users typed “Jerusalem” into the emoji search, a Palestinian flag would appear as a suggestion. This caused a stir on social media, with several viral posts criticizing the suggestion. In Beta 2, the flag suggestion has been removed.
What’s Next for iOS 17.5?
With the release of iOS 17.5 Beta 2, Apple is expected to switch to a weekly release schedule until the final version is released. Beta 3 is anticipated to arrive on April 23rd, potentially alongside the announcement of new iPads. Following that, an RC (Release Candidate) or another beta may be released the following week. The final public release of iOS 17.5 is likely to occur in mid-May, possibly during the week of May 6th or May 13th.
Read: What Are New iOS 17.5 Features
As Apple continues to refine and improve iOS 17.5 through the beta process, users can look forward to a more stable, feature-rich, and performant operating system. Stay tuned for further updates and announcements from Apple regarding iOS 17.5 and other upcoming software releases.