Tech & Auto
Hidden iPhone Features In iOS 17.4 You’ll Want To Start Using ASAP
By NATHAN P. GIBSON
Bilingual Siri
The iOS 17.4 update allows Siri to read out messages in multiple supported languages including Arabic, Mandarin, French, German, Spanish, and a dozen more.
To add these extra languages to Siri's vocabulary, go to Settings, find the Siri and Search section, and click on Messaging with Siri. Download and activate any supported language.
Battery Health
Along with providing raw numbers in regards to your battery life and ability as it did previously, the iPhone menu now provides users with a performance summary.
It also gives up-to-date information about when the battery was manufactured and first activated, along with the number of charging cycles it has gone through.
Device Protection
First introduced in the iOS 17.3 update, Stolen Device Protection effectively locks out certain features on your iPhone when you are in new locations.
The iOS 14.4 update saw a new setting that allows users to turn on double authentication, forcing the iPhone to always ask for two biometric authentications regardless of location.
iMessage Protocols
With the launch of iOS 17.4, Apple has brought PQ3 to its iMessage platform. The company describes this as "a groundbreaking post-quantum cryptographic protocol."
Essentially, the new encryption methods are designed to be able to withstand attacks from quantum-powered systems that could crack standard encryption extremely quickly.
Eye Strain
Apple created Screen Distance for iOS devices that are running iOS 17.4 or higher. It can be set up from the Screen Time menu in the settings.
Once set up, users will get a warning if the screen is within 12 inches of their eyes. It can be removed by increasing the distance or by tapping a button to continue as they were.