Apple iOS 11.4 Released: Messages In iCloud, AirPlay 2, More
Apple's iOS 11.4 update has been released, and with Messages in iCloud support, there's more to it than just AirPlay 2. The new version – which is arriving on iPhone, iPad, and the HomePod – was announced earlier today, with its support for bringing some much-needed features to Apple's smart speaker.
That was AirPlay 2 support, which adds multi-room playback and the ability to join two HomePod speakers as a stereo pair. Eventually, third-party connected speaker companies will also be adding AirPlay 2 support so that their devices will be able to join the multi-room party. Sonos, Bang & Olufsen, and numerous others have confirmed that they're onboard.
While those may be the headline features for AirPlay 2, there are some other welcome improvements too. With iOS 11.4, for example, you'll be able to take a call or play a game on your iPhone or iPad, without that interrupting the music playback on AirPlay 2 enabled speakers like HomePod. That's one of the lingering frustrations with the current version of AirPlay that HomePod is using.
Messages in iCloud, meanwhile, has been even more eagerly anticipated. First expected last year, but then delayed, the system allow messages, photos, and other attachments sent through Apple's Messages system to be stored in iCloud. That way, they don't have to take up space on your iPhone, iPad, or other device.
It also means you'll get message synchronization across devices. If you sign in with a new device, into the same iMessage account, the existing conversations you've had will show up automatically. Conversely, if you delete a message or conversation, it'll be deleted across all devices signed into that same iMessage account.
Conversations are still end-to-end encrypted, Apple points out, and Messages in iCloud isn't enabled by default. You can turn it on – after you've installed iOS 11.4, of course – by going to Settings, then tapping your name at the top of the list, and then choosing "iCloud" and toggling the option there. You'll also need sufficient iCloud storage, mind.
Elsewhere, there are the usual bugfixes and tweaks we're used to seeing in any iOS update. iBooks is gaining the ability for teachers to assign students reading activities, controlled through the teacher's Schoolwork app, for example. There've been more Messages fixes over rogue character sequences causing the app to crash, and for conversations to appear out of order.
A Health data synchronization error has been fixed, along with an issue that had been preventing some users from changing Health data access for third-party apps. A bug that showed app icons in the wrong place on the home screen has been addressed, too, plus a login issue for Google Drive, Google Docs, and Gmail in Safari. Finally, there's a fix for distorted CarPlay audio, as well as audio over Bluetooth or USB in certain cars.
You can download iOS 11.4 today. If you're an iPhone or iPad user, it should be prompted automatically; alternatively you can trigger it manually by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Your HomePod should update automatically, too; however, if you want to get your HomePod running on iOS 11.4 asap you can trigger that manually, too. Go to the Home app on your iOS device, tap the arrow symbol in the top left corner, and choose "Software Update" from the menu.