Read in other languages:
The release date for iOS 17 has been confirmed: it will be available on September 15. In this article, you will discover all the details about the new features that will be included in this update, as well as which iPhones will be compatible with iOS 17.
iOS 17 was announced on June 5, at WWDC 2023, with a showcase of some of the new features in development for the operating system. Apple started distributing a test version for developers immediately after the event and released a public beta test on July 12. The official launch is scheduled to commence on September 15th.
In this iOS 17 features guide, we’ll highlight the key improvements brought by the new iPhone software and share with you the steps for activating them on your device right after you download the latest operating system version. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the new features of iOS 17.
Previewed on World Accessibility Awareness Day, Apple officially announced a bunch of accessibility features scheduled to arrive in iOS in 2023. Those include better support for users with cognitive disabilities—including high contrast and large text buttons—live speech to transform text inputs into audio during calls, a feature to create a personal synthesized voice, and more.
Some of the new features will also be available on Apple’s other operating systems—iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, etc.—and are designed to improve not only the lives of people with different types of disabilities but also their supporters and other people looking for a more customizable experience with their devices.
Apple also announced changes coming to its AirTags trackers to prevent their usage for malicious intents, like stalking. The company announced with Google a common set of features that will warn users when an unwanted tracker is following them.
The Find My tracking network will also support sharing items between profiles, allowing, for example, relatives to track down each other’s luggage. According to Apple, a single AirTag can be shared with up to five people.
Starting with the way you communicate with the world, the Contact Posters feature adds a new layer of customization to caller ID and profiles, with the option to personalize images, font, and color, with memoji support. Posters not only show up in phone calls but also on third-party apps supporting the callKit API.
How to use the Contact Posters feature on the iPhone:
The FaceTime app got a welcome upgrade by allowing you to leave an audio and video message whenever a contact doesn’t answer a call. Also, calls will be spiced up with live reactions that can be activated with gestures. Oh, one more thing: FaceTime (with Continuity Camera) will be supported on the Apple TV 4K, showing the video call on the television.
The Messages app, meanwhile, received a redesign with a bunch of new features, allowing users to narrow search results with filters, get a “Catch up” shortcut to the last-read message on a chat or group, and more.
Audio messages will have the option to have a transcription, also done on the device. Another new feature, Check In will allow contacts to know when you have arrived at home or another destination. A detour can trigger a notification to a friend or relative.
How to use the Check In feature on the iPhone:
The redesign will also place shortcuts to third-party apps under the + button. Stickers, meanwhile, will be revamped with the option of creating Live Stickers to transform photos into stickers.
And not only will stickers be available in third-party apps, but users will be able to react with stickers, similarly to how emojis work, with a new drawer on the keyboard for quick access.
How to send animated Stickers on the iPhone:
In iOS 17, the phone calls app has been enhanced to transcribe voicemails in real-time using the Live Voicemail feature, with all processing occurring on the device.
On previous iPhones, voicemails offered text and visual transcription. However, Live Voicemail displays the transcription on the receiver’s call screen as the message is being left, providing immediate options to answer or end the call and showcasing a Contact Poster if available.
During this beta phase, the feature is available only in the USA and Canada, and works without carrier support.
How to use the Live Voicemail feature on your iPhone:
AirDrop received an upgrade with NameDrop, using iPhones or even an Apple Watch. By placing the devices near each other, Contact posters display each user profile to ease contact information sharing. In the same proximity gesture, users can start a SharePlay session on compatible apps.
How to use the NameDrop feature on the iPhone:
The keyboard app also received some love on iOS 17. Autocorrect will be able to correct more grammar mistakes, with an easier way to revert corrections. Apple promises better resilience against mistakes, while dictation will support the Neural Engine to improve on-device dictation accuracy.
Using machine learning, photos, workouts, locations, music, and more can be presented in a cohesive way as a multimedia memory. As the name suggests, you can also add personal notes to journals. Think of it as a turbocharged version of the smart photo albums, with features designed to improve users’ well-being. At this point, the app is still not available on Apple Store.
Rumors proved right about even further adjustments to the lock screen. While iOS 16 brought a design change with a bunch of customization options and widgets, iOS 17 can transform your iPhone while docked into a smart display when docked to a charger, not unlike an Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub, or the defunct Facebook Portal.
The feature will present big clock widgets, weather, calendar schedules, smart home commands, Siri access, or a selection of pictures. Additionally, users with multiple chargers can customize the Stand By feature to each of them, for an even more personalized experience.
How to use StandBy feature on the iPhone:
The upcoming iOS 17 update will be automatically sent to your iPhone. All you have to do is download and install the new version. It is strongly advised to create a backup of your data before proceeding. Here are the steps in summary:
After dropping support for three iPhone models in iOS 16, Apple was a little bit more conservative when it comes to iOS 17 support in past iPhone generations.
The 2023 operating system will be available for the iPhone XS/XR models and newer, released in 2018 with the A12 Bionic SoC, dropping the iPhone X and iPhone 8 models from iOS 17 compatibility. Check below all the iPhone models compatible with iOS 17:
And there you have it. Now tell us, what is your favorite iOS 17 feature so far? Please let us know in the comments below.
Article updated on September 13, with additional information about the release of the iOS 17.
Source: Apple Beta Program
Rubens Eishima
Writer
Having written about technology since 2008 for a number of websites in Brazil, Spain, Denmark, and Germany, I specialize in the mobile ecosystem, including various models, components, and apps. I tend to not only value performance and specifications, but also things like repairability, durability, and manufacturer support. I tend to prioritize the end-user’s point of view whenever possible.
By clicking on the button above, you agree that external content may be displayed to you. Personal data may be transmitted to third-party providers in the process. You can find more information about this in our Privacy Policy.
Signup to continue
It only takes a moment to join the community!
Signup to comment
It only takes a moment to join the conversation!
Your comment will be waiting.
Signup using
Or
Already registered? Log in here
What is ID4me?
ID4me is an internet service that enables its users to log in to many different internet services with one account. This is also known as “single sign on”.
Unlike existing global single sign on solutions like the ones from Google or Facebook, ID4me does not track and analyze the internet surfing habits of its users. ID4me will make sure that the surfing habits stay secret.
Also, ID4me does not belong to an enterprise. It is an open standard that is maintained by a nonprofit organization. Anyone who wants to can participate. This way the users can chose freely between different ID4me providers and can also change the provider anytime.
Further information can be found here: https://id4me.org/
The last section of the technical overview explains how to set up an ID4me account: https://id4me.org/documents
since 2009
