News: iOS 11.2.5 Beta 4 Released for iPhones with Fix for Loud Sounds

Apple released the fourth beta for iOS 11.2.5 on Tuesday, Dec. 9, to developers and then public beta testers. It comes only one day after the official release of iOS 11.2.2, which addressed the Spectre portion of the chip flaw security risks reported last week.

If you're a developer or public beta tester with a valid configuration profile, go to "General" in your Settings app, then tap on "Software Update." Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the iOS 11.2.5 beta onto your iPhone.

Beta 4 does not seem to introduce any major features at this point. Rather, it appears to bring standard bug fixes and under-the-hood improvements, one of which is reversing the loud sounds that appeared in iOS 11.2.5 beta 3. The release notes mention known issues and workarounds pertinent to developers only.

In general, iOS 11.2.5 has not changed much for iOS 11.2. The most notable update so far has included a persistent "Now Playing" bar at the bottom of the Music app, for easy access to your music controls (and shuffle) even if nothing is currently playing.

An uneventful update isn't necessarily a bad thing, however. Apple has had enough scandal on their hands to last a year — not only was yesterday's update hotly expected to address a major security flaw, but Apple also rushed 11.1.1 to users in November to patch a widespread auto-correct glitch.

Apple is also expected to include more battery health information after the news that the company slows down iPhones once batteries reach a certain age. We don't know if that update will show up in iOS 11.2.3 or in the official 11.2.5 release.

iOS 11 has been a bumpy ride for both Apple and users alike. Let's hope 11.2.5, at the very least, brings stability to all in the iOS ecosystem.

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