The first developer beta of iOS 17.5 is now live

Apple has initiated testing for iOS 17.5, the fifth installment of their operating system, specifically designed for iPhones. The first beta of this new update, available for iPhone Xr and newer models, finally introduces a highly anticipated feature.

The highly anticipated release of iOS 18, rumored to include advanced AI features, has many iPhone users eagerly anticipating its arrival. With the upcoming WWDC24 event, Apple is expected to officially announce iOS 18 as the next major update for iPhones. As a result, any major updates or changes will likely be reserved for iOS 18, while smaller updates will be included in upcoming iOS 17 releases.

Today, the tech giant released multiple updates including the iOS 17.5 Beta 1, iPadOS 17.5 Beta 1, watchOS 10.5 Beta 1, tvOS 17.5 Beta 1, macOS Sonoma 14.5 Beta 1, macOS Ventura 13.6.7 RC, macOS Monterey 12.7.5 RC, and visionOS 1.2 Beta 1.

The initial developer beta for iOS 17.5 has the build number 21F5048f. The update size may vary depending on factors such as your previous update and device model.

The main alteration in the update is specifically for EU users, as it now allows for sideloading through the Web. This enables developers to opt for publishing their apps on their website, making it possible for the app to be installed directly from the web.

Additionally, there are several other additions such as updated reading goals in Apple Books that allow for easy tracking of daily reading progress, the return of color changes for the Podcasts widget which correspond to the currently playing podcast, a new modem update, and a handful of other minor adjustments.

If you have an eligible iPhone and are interested in trying out the new iOS beta build, you can select the beta option in Settings > General > Software Update. The update is currently only accessible to developers, but it will soon be made available to public beta testers. Once the update is released, you can download and install it on your phone.