Apple launched many of the new iPhones in 2023, but now there’s another iPhone update available for all iPhones from the iPhone XR up: iOS 17. The iOS 17 update was accessible to hundreds of millions of iPhones on Monday, September 18, 2023.
There are many of the new features that are accessible in iOS 17 for instance:
- Contact Posters
- NameDrop
- StandBy
- Live Voicemail
- FaceTime video voicemail
- A whole new Siri voice recognition model
- Huge improvements to autocorrect and dictation
You can assume it like you have purchased a new iPhone without even paying a single penny. In this blog, we are about to bring about all the details of everything you want to know about iOS 17, including all the features and any issues that come, as well as keeping tabs on the latest version and what is going to arrive in the next update.
iOS 17: What’s the latest version?
The initial iOS 17 update was released on September 18, but just days later on September 21 Apple issued iOS 17.0.1 with three zero-day security patches that “may have been actively exploited”.
That same day there was another update that is iOS 17.0.2 update for iPhone 15 models that was made to fix a bug for new iPhone buyers. Some users who have purchased the latest iPhone 15 models came to know that they were not capable of transferring data from an old iPhone during the new iPhone setup process. This same fix was then delivered for other iPhones on September 27. All new iPhones must be updated to iOS 17.0.2 before attempting to transfer the data from an old iPhone.
iOS 17.0.3 arrived on October 4 with a fix for an issue causing iPhones to be overheated particularly the iPhone 15 Pro. There are also two security fixes available that are:
- iOS 17.0.3 with iPhone 15 Pro overheating fix
- security updates.
Next up was iOS 17.1, which was released on October 25. New features in that update were:
- improvements to AirDrop (file transfers continue over the internet when you are out of range)
- new StandBy options
- Favorites in Music
- Several bugs
- security fixes.
Then iOS 17.1.1 was released, which was considered to be a minor update fixing many of the bugs. One bug related to Apple Pay and other NFC features becoming inaccessible on iPhone 15 models after wireless charging in BMW cars, the other bug is related to the Weather Lock Screen widget which might not precisely display snow.
iOS 17.1.2 was released on November 30 and was on a mission to fix a bunch of issues like WebKit security vulnerabilities that have been exploited in the wild. WebKit is the browser engine which is being used by Safari browser.
iOS 17.2 was launched on December 11 and was loaded with features like:
- the Journal app
- new Weather
- Clock widgets
- and Stickers for Message reactions.
We will discuss these features one by one in this blog.
On January 22 Apple launched another update that is iOS 17.3. The update includes:
- A new Stolen Device Protection feature that should make it complicated especially for thieves to mess up your digital life executing a stolen passcode.
- iOS 17.3 also has an important security patch for a zero-day susceptibility that may have benefited from.
One of the latest versions of iOS 17 is iOS 17.3.1 which includes a fix for an overlapping text bug.
There would be a bunch of updates that are about to arrive in the upcoming months, both minor point releases for bug fixes and security updates and major releases that include new features. Here’s a glance at just some of the iOS 17 features coming in later updates.
iOS 17 beta: What’s the latest iOS beta?
Apple has run a beta program since it unveiled the details of iOS 17 at WWDC. Despite the full version of iOS 17 being accessible to the public, the beta testing continues.
Apple has initiated the development of iOS 17.4, with the first beta of iOS 17.4 being delivered on January 25.
iOS 17.4 Release date and new features
Apple started to work on iOS 17.3 on December 12, providing the final version six weeks later on January 22. The six-week turnaround appears to be much more typical: iOS 17.2 was first unveiled to developers on October 26 and then it came on iPhones on December 11. It can be speedier though: iOS 17.1 was first launched to developers on September 27 and was made accessible for download just four weeks later on October 25, which was considered to be a fast turnaround, perhaps because of pressure from France to highlight an issue with iPhone 12 radiation levels.
Assuming a six-week turnaround, we could see iOS 17.4 on iPhones around March 6. This appears like a probable date for the release as it’s also the deadline to comply with the Digital Markets Act in the EU and that does seem to be what this release is predominantly about.
Here are the latest features that are about to come in iOS 17.4 (some will, we assume, be EU only):
- Open door: In the EU there will be 600 new APIs to allow developers to offer their iOS apps for download from alternative app marketplaces. There will also be expanded app analytics, functionality for alternative browser engines, access to NFC for mobile payment systems, and options for processing app payments and distributing iOS apps outside the App Store.
- Commissions: EU commissions will be reduced to 10 percent for the first year for most developers (and for subscriptions past the first year) and 17 percent for all digital transactions. That’s a cut nearly in half compared to rates in the rest of the world.
- Security: Because Apple believes that allowing apps to be installed from outside the App Store is risky to the user, new app safety features will be introduced that are designed to mitigate the risks. These include notarization for iOS and app installation sheets. Marketplace developers will also require authorization. There will also be increased malware protections.
- New emoji: This feature is available for everyone, not just those in the EU. Several new emojis are coming in iOS 17.4. These emoji are considered to be part of the Emoji version 15.1 and include:
- Broken Chain
- Brown Mushroom
- Head Shaking Horizontally
- Head Shaking Vertically
- Lime, Phoenix
- as well as four new non-gender-specifying family emoji
- six different alternative-direction emoji that provide a total of 108 combinations.
- SharePlay: Family and friends with an iPhone will be able to control the music on your HomePod or Apple TV, with permission.
- Apple Music “Home” tab: The tab formerly labeled “Listen Now” will become “Home.”
- Stolen Device Protection: Users can now choose to always need a delay when changing security settings, not just when away from familiar locations.
- Podcast transcripts: The Podcast app is capable of generating auto-generated transcripts in many languages like Spanish, French, German, and English for podcast episodes (or podcasters can supply their transcripts).
- Stopwatch live activity: You can be able to choose a Live Activity with the stopwatch running.
iOS 17.3: New features
Here are the new features in iOS 17.3:
- Collaborative Playlists for Apple Music: This feature was anticipated for iOS 17.2, but took until iOS 17.3 to appear. Collaborative Playlists for Apple Music, permit you to generate, edit and share playlists with others.
- AirPlay in supporting hotels is enabled.
- Stolen Device Protection: This optional security feature can limit what can be done on your iPhone if your six-digit passcode is entered when not at a familiar location like your home or work. This is created to make it complicated for thieves to get useful and important details. The settings for this are found in Settings > Face ID & Passcode
iOS 17.2: New features
These are some other striking features that came in iOS 17.2:
- Journal app: The new app is coming in iOS 16.2. The app is a bit like a diary in which you can record things that happen to you. It can be locked using Face ID/Touch ID.
- Change default alert sound: You will be capable of using it by simply going into Settings > Sound & Haptics > Default Alerts to alter the default sound for alerts and notifications.
- News app: The News app will support Live Activities.
- Apple Music: You will be able to disable the listening history in Apple Music so it doesn’t impact Apple Music suggestions. You can listen to a new Favorites playlist based on tracks you have marked as Favorites, and it’s not complicated to get to the songs you’ve marked as Favorites in Apple Music.
- TV app: There will no longer be separate Movies and TV Shows tabs. Just a Store tab.
- Improved Telephoto camera focusing speed for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max
- Spatial video recording for Apple Vision Pro.
- iMessage Contact Key Verification gains extra security options.
- Emergency Alerts: A new “Local Awareness” option to improve the reliability of alerts.
- The Action button on iPhone 15 Pro/Max will get a new Translate option.
- Weather and Clock widgets: There are three new widgets for the Weather app and one for the Clock app a Sensitive Content. A new Digital Clock widget is available for the Home screen and StandBy.
- Messages: You can now react to iMessages with any emoji or sticker. Warning for stickers if you have enabled it for Messages. New catch-up button to go to the first unread message.
- Memoji: There’s a new Body section so you can customize full body details.
- Weather: View rain and snow amounts. Wind map. Moon calendar.
- Wireless charging: The iPhone 13 and 14 will gain support for Qi2 wireless charging. With Qi2 support, you’ll get 15W charging even when you aren’t using MagSafe chargers.
There are also several bug fixes. Some of them are given below:
- AirDrop improvements
- a fix for an issue that may prevent wireless charging in certain vehicles.
iOS 17.1: New features
The following new features came in iOS 17.1 on October 25.
- New StandBy settings give users a choice of when the display should turn off (automatically, after 20 seconds, or never).
- The Watch app gains options to control double-tap for the Apple Watch.
- Apple Music gets the latest Favorites feature as well as collaborative Apple Music playlists. New Generic artwork is accessible for Apple Music playlists.
- The Continue AirDrop over the internet feature will mean that you don’t need to have your iPhones together while you go through the phase of transferring data.
iOS 17.1 also highlights the iPhone 12 radiation issue addressed by the French government agency, Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR). Apple seems to claim that France’s testing method does not permit the off-body detection and increased connectivity power that Apple has employed on all iPhones for more than a decade, so the update will go through this particular test protocol. After this update, iPhone 12 users in France may see a remarkably reduced wireless performance when the signal is poor. Apple seems to maintain that iPhone 12 models are safe and easy to use.
In addition, the update fixes many of the security flaws in Find My, Siri, and the Weather app. More here: Apple’s iOS 17 update patches scary Find My, Siri, and Weather flaws. That security fix has also been updated for iOS 16 and iOS 15.
iOS 17: Bugs and problems
Overheating: Apple has addressed a problem that was the major complicated problem for the iPhone 15 Pro to get overheated. The iOS 17.0.3 update is specifically designed to fix this problem.
Security: Apple issued an update to iOS 17 on September 21 to address some security flaws. Another security fix came on October 4.
Slowdowns, battery life: Some people when updating iOS complain that their iPhone slows down, that their battery runs out fast, or that their phone feels hot. This can be particular behavior after an iOS update as the iPhone spends a few days carrying background tasks related to the update, for instance re-indexing, this can in turn cause it to use more battery up, and get hot. You could try restarting your iPhone to see if that works.
Read more: How to Save Battery Life on Your iPhone: Important Steps to Consider
Apple has previously addressed this issue in a Tweet:
Indebted for reaching out! We’ll be more than glad to help. It’s normal for your apps and features to need to adjust up to 48 hours after an update.
Let’s have you reach out to us in a DM if this is still an issue after that time so we can assist you look into this further.
Wi-Fi: Another complication people sometimes face after updating the iOS is that their iPhone struggles to stay connected to Wi-Fi networks. Again, it’s worth restarting the iPhone if this occurs.
Standby won’t show the correct time zone: People encountered this issue (the clock was stuck in Cupertino). The fix was as follows:
- You need to long press the clock that appears in Standby mode
- Click the + in the top left
- Add the clock widget with the correct time to the list
iOS 17: How to install iOS 17 on your iPhone
Installing iOS 17 couldn’t be easier. Just follow the steps that are given below:
- Go into the Settings app
- Click General
- Click Software Update
On the screen, you’ll see the version of iOS you have downloaded, and if a new version is accessible, it will say so. It may say “Install Now” if the update was already installed in the background but not yet applied, or “Download and Install” if you haven’t even downloaded it yet.
Just follow the instructions there to upgrade to iOS 17. You may have to re-agree with the terms and conditions, and it will take a few minutes to download, verify, and apply. Then your iPhone will restart, and you’ll be showcased with some welcome screens that introduce new features.
We have more information about installing iOS 17 and addressing any issues with it here:
What things you must keep in mind before updating to iOS 17?
Before installing new software, it’s better to back up your device to make it clear that you have a copy of your important details. Go and select your backup method.
Check compatibility
You will only have a choice to look at those updates that are compatible with your current software version. If you have not installed the most current release, you will not glance at the option to download the latest release. So, try to find which iPhone models are more compatible with iOS 17.
iOS 17 Compatibility: Which phones can run the latest software?
iOS 17 will not support the iPhone 8, 8 Plus, or the iPhone X. They are all able to run iOS 16 though, so they should get support through security updates for at least another year. The following iPhones get support for iOS 17, although some would not have the support for all of the new features:
- iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE (2nd gen or later)
Even if your chosen device is granted another year of software support, it’s worth mentioning that older iPhones may not get the full range of the latest features. In 2022, for example, the iPhone 8 and iPhone X missed out on a bunch of cool features because of their older processor. For more information take a look at every version of iOS released so far and find out which version of iOS your iPhone supports.
iOS 17 Features: What’s new in iOS 17
There were many new striking features in iOS 16, including:
- a redesigned Lock Screen
- unending iMessages
- The iCloud Shared Photo Library
however, what is new in iOS 17? Initial rumors seem to suggest that there would be “fewer major changes” than usual–but at WWDC 2023 Apple declared many striking and efficient latest features for the update which we have mentioned below
Not all the new features were accessible for the September launch though. At least five iOS 17 features weren’t ready like:
- AirDrop over the Internet
- the Journal app,
- Collaborative Apple Music playlists
- AirPlay in hotel rooms
- NameDrop to Apple Watch. Some of these features came in upcoming software updates.
Journal
This is now considered to be the brand-new app that develops Memories in Photos to bring a new way to relive special moments, remember and write about experiences with photos, location, texts, and more. There is also a Suggestions API for developers to execute in their apps.
StandBy
This appears to borrow from the Apple Watch. Put the phone in landscape on a stand at night and see the time with a clock and a range of clock styles. You can be capable of shuffling through your best photos, display widgets, and see Live Activities, for instance, game scores. You have the choice to select Night Mode to display red text and reduce eye strain at night. Remember alarm clocks? It’s a bit like that.
Contact Posters
Contact posters permit you to personalize how you appear in calls and on your contact card (since your custom contact card will show up in Contacts for your friends). You can customize your poster with:
- Images
- Fonts
- colors.
This collaborates with Call Kit so it can be executed in third-party VOIP apps.
Live Voicemail
If someone calls and throws a message you will look at a live transcript as they speak. That way you can see if you desire to pick up or not.
How to use Live Voicemail in iOS 17.
Phone Calls:
Apple made some alterations to the Phone app. It substitutes the Contacts button, moves the in-call buttons, and updates the icons.
After a bit of a backlash, Apple moved the end-all button back to the middle midway through testing.
FaceTime
Apple added the capacity to leave a video message in the FaceTime app when people don’t reply.
You will also be capable of taking FaceTime calls on an Apple TV.
Messages
The Messages app must feel faster, and search filters will permit you to incorporate terms into a search to narrow the results. You’ll also be able to jump to the first unread message in a group chat, hit to reply on any bubble, and automatically interpret audio messages.
A new Check-In feature will also permit Family and Friends to know if you’ve made it to a destination securely. Messages can find if you aren’t making progress toward the destination and prompt you to react. If you don’t, it will share details with the selected contact, including:
- your location
- battery level
- and cell service status.
Additional Messages features arrived in iOS 17.2 including the ability to react to Messages with any emoji or sticker. There is a new catch-up button available, from where you could be able to go straight to the first unread message.
Ring Tones and Text Tones
24 new Ringtones in iOS 17 are about to add including:
- Dollop
- Kettle
- Scavenger
- Steps
- Storytime
- Unfold
- Valley.
To change the ringtone, you have to go to Sounds & Haptics, then press on the Ringtone.
New text tones are:
- Cheers
- Droplet
- Portal
- Slide
- Welcome.
You can find them in the Sounds & Haptics setting under Text Tone.
Stickers
All emojis across iOS 17 are now stickers that can be adjustable and resized. Subjects from images can be lifted out of photos and converted into stickers. You are capable of turning live animated photos into Live Stickers.
As of iOS 17.2, you would be seeing Sensitive Content Warnings for stickers if you have enabled it for Messages.
AirDrop
Apple is changing the way AirDrop performs it will be much simpler to use. You only have to bring your phones close together and you will be capable of sharing information. You can easily select the phone numbers and email addresses you desire to share on an iPhone or Apple Watch. For instance, if you want to share photos, just bring your phones close together.
AirDrop renovations that arrived in iOS 17.2 included:
- expanded contact-sharing options
- the ability to share boarding passes, movie tickets, and other eligible passes by escorting two iPhones together.
Another AirDrop-related change will arrive in a later update – the capacity to start an AirDrop in person, however, then leave before the transfer goes for completion with the transfer finishing over the Internet.
AirDrop over the Internet came in iOS 17.1.
NameDrop
The latest striking feature that takes advantage of AirDrop is NameDrop, the easiest and most comfortable way to exchange contact info. No more having to miss-call a new friend just so they have your number.
Keyboard and Dictation
Autocorrect is “more precise and accurate than ever,” claimed Apple. Tap the underlined word to get the option to revert to the word you had typed. You can get predictions in line as you type and just tap the space bar to add them. Machine learning will also learn your writing style and adapt autocorrect accordingly. Furthermore, Dictation executes a new speech recognition model to make it even more precise.
Hey Siri
You no longer need to say, “Hey” every time you desire to summon Siri. Siri is powered by the new transformer model that the new dictation and autocorrect is, making it far more accurate and better able to understand what you mean. You have the right to make many requests in the same command.
Photos
The People album in iOS 17 uses on-device machine learning to recognize “more photos of a user’s favorite people” as well as cats and dogs.
Safari and private browsing
Apple’s web browser gains a new Profiles feature to allow a user to separate work-related browsing from other browsing. Profiles can be tied to Tab Groups and Favourites.
Additionally, iOS 17 permits you to select a different default search engine for private browsing
Search in Safari is more responsive, as per Apple, with “easier to read and more relevant suggestions”.
The Safari update comes to iOS 16 and iOS 15 as well.
Apple Music
Collaborative Apple Music playlists came in Apple Music with the iOS 17.3 update. You’ll be able to share playlists with friends and they will be able to add, remove, and rearrange the songs.
iOS 17 lets you pick a different default search engine for private browsing
iOS 17 only just arrived last week and we’re still discovering new features that Apple didn’t tell us about. For instance,: In the Safari settings, you can now have the choice to select separate default search engines for standard and private browsing.
While you’ve long been able to alter the default search engine on your iPhone, there’s a new tab in the Safari settings for “Private Search Engine.” Like the standard search engine, you can choose between Google, Yahoo, Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Ecosia, or link it with the main default search engine like before. The feature was found out when an Apple executive testified during the Google antitrust trial.
Apple also redesigned private browsing in Safari, making it both comfortable and secure to access. A simple swipe on the tab bar at the bottom of the window switches between standard and private browsing, and you can also lock private windows when you’re not using them. Locked windows would not come up until authenticated with Touch ID, Face ID, or your iPhone’s passcode by going to the Privacy & Security section in the Safari settings and turning on the Require Face ID (or Touch ID) to Unlock Private Browsing toggle.
The alterations to searching could signal a more significant change coming in a future version of iOS. Apple has been rumored for years to be building its search engine, with recent reports suggesting the project is a high priority. Apple reportedly gets upwards of $15 billion per year from Google to ship as the default search engine on all Apple devices, but a homegrown search engine would probably be more valuable to the organization that sells devices that prioritize privacy.
Smaller features
There are also numerous smaller features that Apple didn’t clear out in the keynote that are worth considering, including:
- improvements to Spotlight search
- Notes
- Autofill
- and Apple Music.
Apple ID passkey
Apple also declared passkey support in iOS 16 but it’s going mainstream in iOS 17. In iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, you can log into your Apple ID with a passkey using Touch ID and Face ID on your iPhone rather than a password.
iOS 17: Third-party app stores and sideloading
Ahead of WWDC, there were reports that Apple would start to open up the iPhone in iOS 17, allowing the distribution of apps outside of Apple’s own App Store, the use of NFC for touchless payments beyond Apple Pay, browsers that don’t have to use Apple’s Webkit rendering engine, and more. It’s all important to comply with the EU’s new Digital Markets Act, and the anticipation is that it will only apply to those iPhones running iOS 17 in the regions covered by EU law. This act will be law from March 6 and Apple revealed in January that it will be making changes in European countries that must permit apps to be downloaded and payments processed outside the App Store. This should bring apps like Xbox Game Pass and GeForce Now to the iPhone. Read about this here: iOS 17.4 will escort major App Store alterations in the EU.
FAQs
- How do I install iOS 17 on my iPhone?
You can install iOS 17 on your iPhone by going to the Settings app, then selecting General > Software Update. If there’s a new version available, you’ll see an option to download and install it. Simply follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
- Which iPhones are compatible with iOS 17?
iOS 17 is compatible with iPhone models from iPhone 12 onwards, including iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max, and newer models.
- What new features does iOS 17 bring?
iOS 17 introduces several new features such as Contact Posters, Live Voicemail, StandBy mode, enhancements to Siri, autocorrect, and dictation, FaceTime video voicemail, improvements to AirDrop, Favorites in Music, Journal app, Weather and Clock widgets, and more.
- How can I use Live Voicemail in iOS 17?
To use Live Voicemail in iOS 17, simply listen to a voicemail message, and you’ll see a live transcript appear alongside it as the message is being spoken.
- Is it possible to change the default search engine for private browsing in iOS 17?
Yes, in iOS 17, you can select a different default search engine specifically for private browsing. You can do this by going to Safari settings and choosing your preferred search engine under the “Private Search Engine” tab.
- What is NameDrop in iOS 17?
NameDrop is a feature in iOS 17 that simplifies the exchange of contact information. It allows users to easily share their contact details with others nearby using AirDrop, eliminating the need for manual entry or exchanging phone numbers.
- How can I create collaborative playlists in Apple Music on iOS 17?
To create collaborative playlists in Apple Music on iOS 17, select the “Collaborative Playlist” option when creating a new playlist. You can then share the playlist with others, who can add, remove, and rearrange songs.
- What are the new ringtone and text tone options available in iOS 17?
iOS 17 introduces 24 new ringtones and several new text tones, such as Dollop, Kettle, Scavenger, Cheers, Droplet, and Portal. You can find and select these options in the Sounds & Haptics settings on your device.
- How can I share information using AirDrop in iOS 17?
Sharing information using AirDrop in iOS 17 is simple. Just bring your device close to another compatible device and select the content you want to share. You can share photos, videos, documents, and more with nearby devices via AirDrop.
- What improvements have been made to Safari in iOS 17?
Safari in iOS 17 includes enhancements such as a new Profiles feature for separating work-related browsing, improved search responsiveness with easier-to-read suggestions, and the ability to choose different default search engines for private browsing.
