After the iOS 17.4 roll out in March, Apple has rolled out iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.5 updates for the iPhone and iPad, bringing Cross-Platform Tracking Detection. The update also brings new features for Apple News+.
Cross-Platform Tracking Detection
Last year, Apple and Google proposed a new industry specification aimed at preventing the misuse of Bluetooth location-tracking devices, leading to unwanted tracking. The feature has been implemented in iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5. The tracking detection feature rolled out for Android devices running Android 6.0+ in April.
With this new capability, users will now get an “[Item] Found Moving With You” alert on their device if an unknown Bluetooth tracking device is seen moving with them over time, regardless of the platform the device is paired with.
If a user gets such an alert on their iOS device, it means that someone else’s AirTag, Find My accessory, or other industry specification-compatible Bluetooth tracker is moving with them.
Bluetooth tag manufacturers including Chipolo, eufy, Jio, Motorola, and Pebblebee have committed that future tags will be compatible, said Apple.
Regarding the collaboration, Apple said:
This cross-platform collaboration — also an industry first, involving community and industry input — offers instructions and best practices for manufacturers, should they choose to build unwanted tracking alert capabilities into their products.
Apple and Google will continue to work with the Internet Engineering Task Force via the Detecting Unwanted Location Trackers working group to develop the official standard for this technology.
New features for Apple News
- Offline mode in Apple News+ gives you access to the Today feed and News+ tab, even when you don’t have an internet connection
- Quartiles is a new and original daily word game that is now available in Apple News+
- Scoreboard in News+ Puzzles gives you access to new player data for Crossword, Mini Crossword and Quartiles, including stats and streaks
In the EU, the iOS 17.5 update brings support for web-based app distribution that lets users download apps directly from developer websites, without the need to use the App Store.