Apple Releases iOS 17.5, watchOS 10.5 + More | Here’s What’s New
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Apple has released the latest versions of its operating systems to the public. The Cupertino firm released iOS 17.5, iPadOS 17.5, macOS Sonoma 14.5, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and the HomePod 17.5 software. Here’s what’s new.
iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5
The iOS 17.5 and iPadOS 17.5 updates can be downloaded and installed over the air on compatible iPhones and iPads by going to the Settings app and tapping General > Software Update.
The updates bring new features for Apple News+, including an offline mode and a new word game called Quartiles. Cross-platform tracking notifications are now available to provide alerts about unknown Bluetooth trackers, regardless of platform.
Apple’s full release notes are as follows:
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
Tracking Notifications
– Cross-Platform Tracking Detection delivers notifications to users if a compatible Bluetooth tracker they do not own is moving with them, regardless of what operating system the device is paired with
Some features may not be available for all regions or on all Apple devices. For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
macOS Sonoma 14.5
The latest Mac update, macOS Sonoma 14.5, also brings a new Quartiles Apple News+ word game to the Mac, along with tracking of stats and streaks for that and other News+ games.
The macOS Sonoma 14.5 update is available as a free download on all compatible Macs by going to System Settings > Software Update.
Here are Apple’s full release notes for the macOS 14.5:
macOS Sonoma 14.5 includes the following improvements and bug fixes:
– 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
Some features may not be available for all regions, or on all Apple devices.
For detailed information about the security content of this update, please visit: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
watchOS 10.5
For Apple Watch users, watchOS 10.5 is the fifth major update to the watchOS 10 operating system. The update can be installed on compatible Apple Watches by going to the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone and tapping General > Software Update. Your Apple Watch should have at least a 50% battery charge, needs to be on a charger, and be in the range of its paired iPhone.
While watchOS 10.5 is primarily a bug fix update, it also includes a new “Pride Radiance” watch face to pair with the Pride band that Apple debuted earlier this month.
The release notes for watchOS 10.5 are as follows:
watchOS 10.5 includes new features, improvements and bug fixes, including a new Pride Radiance watch face to honor the LGBTQ+ community and culture.
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit this website: https://support.apple.com/kb/HT201222
tvOS 17.5
Apple’s latest update to its Apple TV operating system, tvOS 17.5, can be downloaded and installed over the air by entering the Settings app and going to System > Software Update. If you have automatic software updates enabled, your Apple TV will be upgraded to tvOS 17.5 automatically.
tvOS updates are typically minor in scale, usually focusing on bug fixes and performance improvements and yes, this update includes performance and stability improvements. For more information, view Apple’s dedicated tvOS support document, which is updated after each new iteration of tvOS.
HomePod Software 17.5
Apple also released HomePod 17.5 for the HomePod and HomePod mini. Apple doesn’t specify what’s included in the new software in its release notes, saying only that it brings “stability and performance improvements.”
New software is usually installed automatically on the HomePod unless the feature has been disabled. Users can also manually update their HomePod(s) in the Home app by doing the following:
- Open the Home app.
- Tap on the three-dot menu in the top-right corner of the app.
- Select Home Settings.
- Scroll down and choose Software Update.
If an update is available, tap the Install button to update your smart speaker. Users with more than one HomePod or HomePod mini can update all of their smart speakers at the same time. You can also toggle automatic updates off if you wish.
This information first appeared on Mactrast.com