Apple releases iOS 17.5 update with Pride Radiance wallpapers and new offline game

iOS 17.5 is expected to be the last major OS update before the unveiling of iOS 18 at WWDC 2024.

Pride Radiance wallpapers on iPhone 15 (Image credit: Vivek Umashankar/The Indian Express)

Apple released the iOS 17.5 update for eligible iPhones on Tuesday, packing several new features and security enhancements along with a new set of Pride Radiance wallpapers. The update also introduces a major new feature: iPhones running iOS 17.5 can now identify and notify users about unknown location trackers such as AirTag, JioTag, and others.

Also read | iOS 17.5 update will introduce these new features to your iPhone

In addition to iOS 17.5, Apple has also released updates for iPadOS (version 17.5), watchOS (version 10.5), macOS (version 14.5), tvOS (version 17.5), and HomePod (version 17.5).

iOS 17.5 changelog (Express Photo)

iOS 17.5 adds a new word game Quartiles to the News+ app. Dubbed an “original spelling game”, Quartiles, which is available for News+ subscribers, can even be played offline. “Quartiles is a fun addition to our popular crossword offerings,” said Lauren Kern, Editor-in-Chief, Apple News.

Also, News+ subscribers can now read news offline on both iPhone and iPad, with the app automatically downloading stories when the device is connected to the internet.

For the European Union, iOS 17.5 is a significant update, introducing web app distribution. This feature allows developers to enable users to download their apps and games directly from their official websites, rather than exclusively from the App Store. This extends the alternative app store capability introduced with the iOS 17.4 update.

Another essential feature introduced in iOS 17.5 is Repair State, which allows users to submit their devices for repair without deactivating Find My and Activation Lock. The update includes a new Remove This Device option, which configures the device into a repair mode, making it trackable even during repairs. It also includes minor features such as a Podcast widget, which can be added to the home screen, as well as mobile device management capabilities.

iOS 17.5 is expected to be the last major OS update before the unveiling of iOS 18 next month at WWDC 2024, where Apple is likely to showcase new generative AI features coming to iPhone, iPad, and Mac.