14 DAY TRIAL // Apple released today the final iOS 11.4 software update for supported iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch devices with a handful of new features and lots of security and bug fixes.
iOS 11.4 comes more than a month after the iOS 11.3.1 maintenance release to further improve the security, compatibility, and stability of iOS devices. It's the first release that brings the Messages in iCloud feature allowing users to store their Messages conversations in their iCloud accounts for easy synchronization across devices.
Once users update to iOS 11.4, they will be prompted by the Messages app to turn on the Messages in iCloud feature, which Apple said that it's automatically enabled for users who already have two-factor authentication enabled on their iCloud account, as well as iCloud Backup active.
Another long-anticipated feature that landed in this maintenance release of iOS 11 is AirPlay 2, a functionality that brings stereo pairing and multi-room audio support to Apple's HomePod smart speaker, as well as the Apple TV. Just like Messages in iCloud, AirPlay 2 was delayed a few releases as Apple needed more time to test it.
"AirPlay 2 enables the most advanced, wireless multi-room audio system, creating an effortless way for people to stream music or podcasts anywhere in the home to different devices, all in-sync,"said Apple. "AirPlay 2 controls are available across iOS within any app and in Control Center for quick access to what’s playing in every room, on every speaker."
AirPlay 2 lets iOS users control AirPlay 2-enabled home audio systems and speakers, play music at the same time on multiple speakers across their house, control AirPlay 2-enabled speakers from the iOS Control Center or Lock Screen on iPhone and iPad, as well as via Siri from iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and HomePod, and take calls or play games without interrupting playback.
All users are urged to update their devices
Among other improvements brought by iOS 11.4, we can mention the ability for teachers to assign reading activities to their students in the iBooks app via the Schoolwork app, a fix for the Messages issue where sending certain characters could crash the app, as well as a fix for another Messages issue where some messages could appear out of order.
Other than that, iOS 11.4 fixes an issue that could prevent users from logging in or accessing files on Google Docs, Google Drive, and Gmail in the Safari web browser, an issue that prevented data sync in the Health app, an issue with CarPlay where sound could become distorted, another Health issue that won't let users to change which apps can access the data, and a problem when selecting music from iPhone when playing music over Bluetooth.
All users using a previous version of Apple's iOS 11 mobile operating system are urged to update their devices to the iOS 11.4 release as soon as possible as it may improve the overall stability, security, and reliability of their devices. The iOS 11.4 update is now available for download and installation through OTA (Over-the-Air) updates.
iOS 11.4 (15F79) is supported on iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 5s, 9.7‑inch and 12.9‑inch iPad Pro, 2nd generation 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 5th and 6th generation iPad, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 4, iPad Air, iPad Air 2, and 6th generation iPod touch.
