iOS 17 is now available for free download. With the new update, Apple wants to make the iPhone even more personal and intuitive. An overview.
As every year, Apple has released a new feature update for the iPhone with iOS 17. In the course of its September 2023 keynote, the US company already gave first glimpses of the new software. This year, users will mainly get new operating aids for everyday life.
iOS 17: Apple releases new iPhone update
As Apple writes in its announcement of the new operating system, the iPhone is to become even more personal and intuitive. For example, the manufacturer is introducing innovations for communication apps. There is also the new StandBy mode – “a new way to experience the iPhone”, according to Apple.
Artificial intelligence will support the creation of text messages and enable even faster and more accurate typing. Incoming phone calls and FaceTime also receive a major update. Overall, the number of new features is very extensive.
iOS 17: These are the most important innovations
In addition to new functions for making phone calls, there are now more ways to stay connected via various messaging options. Apple has also introduced updates in the area of data protection and security. In addition, some innovations are dedicated to mental health.
One of the bigger updates is to the phone app. Users now have the option of storing a contact poster of their own choice. In future, it will be displayed when a call is made and will appear in third-party apps. It is also possible to edit photos and use memojis and fonts.
Live voicemail now offers real-time transcription when someone is leaving a message. Users can also answer a call while callers are recording a message. Unknown contacts can be forwarded to voice mail or rejected directly.
Facetime is now compatible with Zoom
If a person is not available, callers can leave a video or audio message on FaceTime. In addition, users can now decorate their calls with reactions such as hearts, balloons, fireworks or laser beams. Calls will also be possible with supported third-party video conferencing apps such as Zoom.
Another update is reminiscent of Tim Cook’s version of the Apple Vision Pro. Users can now use the camera handover to start a FaceTime call on the iPhone and then pass it on to Apple TV. Optionally, they can start the call directly from their Apple TV. Follow mode keeps them perfectly framed, even when moving around the room.
Audio messages are automatically transcribed with iOS 17
Messages also get new features with the new operating system. They are intended to simplify the use of the Messages app and make communication between people more pleasant. For example, audio messages will be transcribed automatically. Users can read them immediately or listen to them later.
In addition, it will be even easier in future to create stickers from photo motifs and bring them to life with effects. The new messaging feature “Wayfinding” makes it possible to notify family or friends as soon as they have safely arrived at their destination. The corresponding contact then automatically receives a message.
New StandBy function to bridge the loading time
StandBy is a new full-screen mode that displays information at a glance. Users can personalise different widgets to be displayed at the right time. In addition, live activities, Siri results, incoming calls or larger notifications become visible in the full screen. With the help of the Always-On Display function, the mode remains permanently switched on.
iOS 17 update brings improved autocorrect and dictation function
Autocorrect gets a new on-device machine learning language model for word suggestions. It’s designed to improve usage and accuracy every time you type. Automatic sentence corrections can thus fix more types of grammatical errors, and the revised design better supports typing by temporarily underlining automatically corrected words.
In addition, a tap of the finger will take you back to the original word. Text suggestions while typing should help complete sentences quickly. The new speech recognition model of the dictation function also works with more accuracy from now on, according to Apple.
iOS 17: More functions for Safari and passwords
Profiles in Safari now allow browsing in separate areas. This also includes separate histories, cookies, extensions, tab groups and favourites. Private browsing now locks browser windows when not in use and offers more protection, both from trackers and third parties who might have access to a device.
iPhone users can now also share passwords and passkeys with a group of trusted contacts. The data is encrypted throughout via the iCloud keychain.
iPhone update: iOS 17 promises offline use of maps
For example, AirPods get new options like adaptive listening, personalised volume and conversation detection with the software update. The Maps app, in turn, gets offline use. If you drive an electric car, you will also receive information on charging stations in real time.
Apple is also expanding the functions for AirTags. Groups of up to five people can now access the same AirTag. In addition, visual look-up is now also available for video stills. This allows you to highlight single or multiple subjects from photos and videos and recognise food, storefronts, signs and symbols.
Apple expands privacy
Privacy updates include the expansion of Communication Security beyond Messages to protect children when sending and receiving content via AirDrop, contact posters, a FaceTime message and when using Photo Selector. It also now covers video content in addition to still images.
The new “Sensitive Content Warning” feature is designed to help avoid viewing unwanted images and videos with nudity. As with Communication Security, all images and videos are processed for Sensitive Content Warning on the device. Apple thus has no access to the content.
Install iOS17
Since 18 September 2023, iPhone users can install the new operating system on their devices. However, it requires a little patience until the download of the software, which is more than three gigabytes in size, is completed.
As before, the update is available in the device settings. Users can access the installation of the current version via the “General” and “Software update” tabs. After agreeing to the terms and conditions, the process begins automatically. iOS 17 is available for all iPhone models from 2018, starting with the iPhone SE of the second generation and newer.
