iOS 17: Features, Compatible Devices, and More
iOS 17, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, was previewed in June and is now available for iPhone XR/XS and newer models. This update introduces several new features focused on communication, including updates to the Phone, FaceTime, and Messages apps, as well as a brand-new journaling app launching later this year.
One of the fundamental changes is an overhaul of the Phone app. Users can now create personalized Contact Posters, which are displayed when you call someone. You can customize these posters with a photo or Memoji, select a font, and choose a color scheme. Contact Posters are supported not only on the phone app but also on third-party apps.
Another notable feature is Live Voicemail, which provides a real-time transcription of voicemail messages on the Lock Screen while the person is speaking. This allows you to decide whether to answer the call based on what’s being said. Calls marked as spam by your carrier will be automatically declined and won’t appear as Live Voicemail.
Additionally, iOS 17 introduces NameDrop, an AirDrop feature that allows you to exchange contact information simply by bringing two iPhones close together. This feature also works with the Apple Watch. In addition, bringing two iPhones together can trigger SharePlay, enabling you to share music, movies, or games with another iPhone user. AirDrop now also supports large file transfers initiated by two nearby iPhones, with the transfer completed via iCloud.
Key Features of iOS 17
Phone App Overhaul: Contact Postersi
OS 17 introduces a highly anticipated update to the Phone app. One of the most fun and creative new features is Contact Posters. With this addition, you can now create personalized contact cards that appear when you call someone. You can choose a photo or Memoji, pick a font, and select color schemes to make your poster stand out. This feature is available not only in the Phone app but also works within third-party apps, allowing you to customize how others see you when you call.
Live Voicemail
Another exciting new feature is Live Voicemail. When someone leaves a voicemail, you’ll see a live transcription of the message on your Lock Screen while the person is speaking. This allows you to decide whether to answer the call in real-time based on the message being left. Spam calls, which are flagged by your carrier, will be automatically declined and won’t show up as Live Voicemail, helping to reduce unwanted interruptions.
NameDrop and AirDrop Enhancements
One of the most innovative updates in iOS 17 is the new NameDrop feature. This enhancement to AirDrop allows you to exchange contact information by simply bringing two iPhones close together. It’s an easy and seamless way to share your details with someone else. Additionally, NameDrop is compatible with Apple Watch, so you can use the same functionality to share contacts between your iPhone and Watch.iOS 17 also improves AirDrop’s capabilities, allowing users to initiate large file transfers by bringing two iPhones together. The file transfer will then continue over iCloud, making it more efficient and faster.
Enhanced SharePlay
SharePlay has been around for a while, but iOS 17 takes it to the next level. By bringing two iPhones close together, you can now initiate SharePlay to share experiences like music, movies, or games. Whether you’re watching a movie together or playing a game with a friend, this feature brings a more social element to your device interactions.
Interactive Widgets
iOS 17 introduces interactive widgets, which means you can now interact with widgets directly from the Home Screen or Lock Screen. This new functionality makes it easier to check your progress on tasks, control music, or interact with your favorite apps without needing to open them.
Journal App (Coming Later in 2024)
Apple will also be introducing a journal app later this year, aimed at encouraging users to document their thoughts, experiences, and memories. This app will use on-device machine learning to suggest photos, music, and activities to include in your journal entries, making it a personal reflection tool powered by AI.
Safari Enhancements
iOS 17 brings several new features to Safari. One of the standout improvements is the ability to create Profiles. You can now set up separate profiles for work and personal use, each with its own set of bookmarks, browsing history, and preferences. This makes it easier to keep your professional and personal browsing worlds distinct. Additionally, Safari now supports password and passkey sharing, allowing users to securely share login details with trusted contacts.
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StandBy Mode
iOS 17 introduces a new feature called StandBy, which turns your iPhone into a smart display when charging in landscape mode. StandBy can show useful information such as the time, widgets, or even a photo album, making your iPhone function like a mini smart hub when it’s docked or charging on your desk or nightstand.
Improved Autocorrect and Dictation
iOS 17 brings more intelligent autocorrect and dictation improvements. The autocorrect feature now uses a more advanced AI model, offering more accurate suggestions. Additionally, Dictation gets smarter, offering a more seamless and natural experience when typing or dictating messages and notes.
Improved Messages App
The Messages app receives a series of new enhancements. One of the most notable is the Check In feature, which allows you to let someone know when you’ve arrived safely at a destination. If you don’t arrive within a certain timeframe, the app will automatically notify the person with details on your location, battery level, and cell service status.
Compatible Devices
iOS 17 is available for a wide range of iPhones, but not all older devices are supported. Here’s the list of iPhones that can run iOS 17:
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS and XS Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12, 12 mini, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13, 13 mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max
As you can see, iPhone 8 and earlier models are no longer supported, which is typical as older devices can’t always handle the advanced features and performance improvements of newer operating system updates.
How to Download iOS 17
To install iOS 17, make sure your device is compatible and that you have enough storage space. To download, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the update is available for your device, it will show up there. It’s recommended to back up your iPhone before updating, either through iCloud or iTunes, to ensure you don’t lose any critical data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s new in the Phone app with iOS 17?
iOS 17 introduces Contact Posters in the Phone app. This allows you to create a personalized contact card that displays your photo or Memoji, along with a custom font and color scheme, when you call someone. You can also see this customization in third-party apps.
Additionally, Live Voicemail allows you to see a real-time transcription of voicemails on the Lock Screen, so you can decide whether to answer the call as it’s happening.
How does NameDrop work in iOS 17?
NameDrop is a new feature within AirDrop that allows you to quickly exchange contact information by bringing two iPhones close together. When you get the two phones near one another, you’ll be prompted to share your contact details. NameDrop is also supported on Apple Watch, so you can share your contact info between iPhone and Watch as well.
What is the Journal app in iOS 17?
The Journal app is a new feature that will be released later in 2024. This app allows you to create and store journal entries, and it uses machine learning to suggest relevant photos, music, and activities based on your location and actions. It’s designed to help you document and reflect on your daily experiences.
Can I use interactive widgets on my iPhone with iOS 17?
Yes, iOS 17 introduces interactive widgets, which allow you to interact with widgets directly from the Home Screen or Lock Screen. For example, you can control music playback, check off to-do list items, or even interact with calendar events without opening the corresponding app.
What improvements does iOS 17 bring to Safari?
In iOS 17, Safari introduces the ability to create Profiles, which let you separate work and personal browsing. Each profile can have its own bookmarks, browsing history, and preferences. Safari also now allows users to share passwords and passkeys securely with others, making it easier to share login details with trusted contacts.
Does iOS 17 improve battery life?
While iOS 17 includes various system optimizations, Apple doesn’t explicitly promise a significant increase in battery life. However, you may notice improvements in efficiency due to better background task management and power consumption optimizations, especially with features like StandBy mode, which allows your phone to display useful information while charging.
What is StandBy mode in iOS 17?
StandBy mode is a new feature that turns your iPhone into a smart display when it’s charging in landscape orientation. While in StandBy mode, your iPhone can display the time, widgets, photos, or even a calendar, making it a useful addition to your nightstand or desk. You can customize the display to show what’s most important to you.
How do I use Live Voicemail?
Live Voicemail displays a real-time transcription of a voicemail as it’s being recorded. If someone leaves a message, you can see what they’re saying on your Lock Screen and decide whether to pick up the call. If the caller is flagged as spam by your carrier, the call will automatically be declined, and you won’t see it as Live Voicemail.
Can I use NameDrop with AirPods or other devices?
NameDrop works primarily with iPhones, allowing you to exchange contact information by bringing two iPhones close together. However, it is not available with other Apple devices like AirPods or Macs. NameDrop also works with Apple Watch, so you can exchange contact details between an iPhone and an Apple Watch.
Will iOS 17 improve dictation and autocorrect?
Yes, iOS 17 brings improvements to both autocorrect and dictation. Autocorrect now uses an advanced AI model, offering more accurate predictions and corrections. Dictation has also been improved, making the voice-to-text experience more seamless and natural for users when composing messages, notes, and other text.
Will iOS 17 support dual SIM features?
Yes, iOS 17 continues to support dual SIM functionality, allowing you to use two different phone numbers on one device (e.g., one for personal use and one for work). iOS 17 doesn’t introduce significant changes to dual SIM, but it improves the overall experience of managing multiple phone numbers.
Conclusion
iOS 17 brings several exciting features and updates that make the iPhone experience even more intuitive and enjoyable. Whether you’re looking to personalize your phone calls with Contact Posters, enjoy smarter and more efficient features like Live Voicemail, or take advantage of the enhanced AirDrop functionality, there’s something for everyone in this update. Additionally, with the introduction of the Journal app and improvements to Safari, Messages, and Autocorrect, iOS 17 proves that Apple is committed to constantly refining and enhancing the iPhone experience.
If your iPhone is compatible, be sure to update to iOS 17 and enjoy all the new features this exciting release offers.
