You can now download and install the new iOS 17.7.4 and iPadOS 17.7.4 software update for both iPhone and iPad.
Important iOS 17.7.4 and iPadOS 17.7.4 Update Released for iPhone and iPad Users with Bug and Security Fixes, Download it Now
If you’re still sitting on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 with no plans to upgrade to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, Apple has released iOS 17.7.4 and iPadOS 17.7.4 for you.
The update has been available as RC for a week now.
In order to download it right now, just head over to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone or iPad. When the new update shows up, install it however you please.
You can have the update installed overnight too, if you like. But it’s best that you download it immediately in order to reap its bug-fix and security benefits.
Do not expect this update to add any new features to your iPhone and iPad, but it will fix any security flaws that might have surfaced in the past few weeks. Hopefully, Apple was able to patch things up as much as possible.
Though I’m extremely critical about installing new software updates as they arrive, but quite frankly, if you use your iPhone and iPad for nothing beyond sending a text message, making a couple of calls, you’re fine on iOS 17 or iPadOS 17.
In fact, compared to iOS 18 and iPadOS 18, you are definitely getting better performance and battery life at the same time. New features tend to slow down older hardware, and you’re living the life of luxury here.
If you own an iPhone and iPad that supports Apple Intelligence and are still using older software, then it might be a little disservice. But again, it’s entirely your choice which update you want to stick around with.
Do keep one thing in mind – once you do update to iOS 18 or iPadOS 18, you cannot downgrade back to iOS 17 or iPadOS 17. It’s a one-way street, and a lot of people don’t know this.
You can’t just test drive iOS 18 and go back to iOS 17.7.4 or iPadOS 17.7.4 whenever you please.
If you’re truly committed to staying on iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, make sure you have automatic updates turned off.
You can do that by going to Settings > General > Software Update > Automatic Updates. Once here, turn off the ‘iOS Updates’ switch in both the ‘Download’ and ‘Install’ sections.
