Apple today released iOS 17, the latest major update to its mobile operating system. The update is available for free to all compatible iPhones, starting with the iPhone XR.
iOS 17 includes a number of new features and improvements, including:
- Contact Posters: A new way to personalize your incoming calls and messages with custom photos and videos.
- Live Voicemail: Transcribe and listen to voicemails as they’re being left, so you can quickly get the information you need.
- StandBy: A new mode that displays a glanceable screen with information like the time, date, battery level, and weather when your iPhone is plugged in and charging.
- Interactive Widgets: New widgets that allow you to complete tasks from the home screen without opening an app.
- Keyboard Improvements: New keyboard features like improved typing accuracy, haptic feedback for dictation, and the ability to quickly switch between languages.
- Accessibility Improvements: New accessibility features like VoiceOver support for Live Text and Live Captions, and the ability to customize the display for people with low vision.
In addition to these new features, iOS 17 also includes a number of bug fixes and performance improvements.
Here are some of the most important features of iOS 17:
- Contact Posters: Contact Posters allow you to personalize your incoming calls and messages with custom photos and videos. You can choose a different poster for each of your contacts, or you can have a universal poster that appears for everyone. Contact Posters are a great way to add a personal touch to your communications.
- Live Voicemail: Live Voicemail allows you to transcribe and listen to voicemails as they’re being left. This means you can quickly get the information you need without having to wait until the voicemail is finished. Live Voicemail is a great way to save time and stay organized.
- StandBy: StandBy is a new mode that displays a glanceable screen with information like the time, date, battery level, and weather when your iPhone is plugged in and charging. StandBy is a great way to quickly check the status of your iPhone without having to pick it up.
- Interactive Widgets: Interactive Widgets allow you to complete tasks from the home screen without opening an app. For example, you can use an interactive widget to control your music playback, start a workout, or check the weather forecast. Interactive Widgets are a great way to save time and be more productive.
- Keyboard Improvements: iOS 17 includes a number of keyboard improvements, including improved typing accuracy, haptic feedback for dictation, and the ability to quickly switch between languages. These improvements make it easier and faster to type on your iPhone.
- Accessibility Improvements: iOS 17 includes a number of accessibility improvements, including VoiceOver support for Live Text and Live Captions, and the ability to customize the display for people with low vision. These improvements make the iPhone more accessible to everyone.
To update your iPhone to iOS 17, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap on General.
- Tap on Software Update.
- If iOS 17 is available, tap on Download and Install.
Here are some pointers on how to get the most out of iOS 17:
- Customize your Contact Posters: To customize a Contact Poster, open the Messages app and tap on the conversation with the contact whose poster you want to change. Then, tap on the contact’s name and photo. Tap on Edit Poster and choose a new photo or video.
- Use Live Voicemail: To use Live Voicemail, open the Phone app and tap on Voicemail. Then, tap on the new voicemail message. You’ll see a transcription of the voicemail message as it’s being played.
- Enable StandBy: To enable StandBy, open the Settings app and tap on Battery. Then, scroll down and tap on StandBy. Toggle on StandBy.
- Add Interactive Widgets to your Home Screen: To add an Interactive Widget to your Home Screen, touch and hold on an empty area of the Home Screen until the apps jiggle. Then, tap on the + button in the top-left corner of the screen. Select the Interactive Widget you want to add and tap on Add Widget.
- Use the new keyboard features: To use the new keyboard features, open any app where you can type. The keyboard will automatically adjust to the new features. For example, to use haptic feedback for dictation, start dictating and you’ll feel a small tap for each word that is recognized.
Conclusion
iOS 17 is a major update that includes a number of new features and improvements. If you have a compatible iPhone, be sure to update to iOS
