iOS 17 Update: 10 Important Features Coming To Your iPhone Soon

Apple has announced the new iOS 17 version that will be coming to your iPhone very soon, as long as it is eligible to receive the new update. Apple has confirmed that the developer beta of iOS 17 will be available from this month, while the public beta will roll out in July. Apple has talked about offering more personalized features for iPhone users, including the lock screen which is now always-on display if you have the iPhone 14 or later models. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 important features announced with iOS 17 version this year:

1. More lockscreen goodies

The lockscreen is finally catching Apple’s attention, and now you can customize profiles based on callers and even put your avatar as the lock screen image on the iPhone. Apple is calling it Contact Posters which also works when you get a call from the person for whom you have set their photo profile. You can also add fonts to make the posters more personalized and the best part is that you can use it for third-party calling apps as well.

iPhone users can get a real-time transcription of the caller, so it’s just like regular voicemail but now you can see the text on the lock screen. Apple claims that spam calls will not get this support, which is a relief. Apple is using a neural engine and transcription is done on the device and remains private.

2. Facetime Call Drop Message

You also have the new Videomail for FaceTime calls. Like regular voice calls, iPhones will soon give you the option to leave video messages for FaceTime calls that were unattended. You can also leave an audio note if video isn’t your jam. You also have the option of sending reactions to FaceTime calls, such as hearts, balloons, rain, and more. They can also be used on third party apps.

And finally, you have FaceTime calls compatible with the Apple TV 4K Edition. Apple says you can start a call on either the TV or the iPhone, and then switch between the two. This way, you can make the best use of the iPhone’s camera for FaceTime calls but view it on a larger screen.

3. iMessage Feature Boost

Apple has redesigned the app to make it more attractive. It states that the search feature has been enhanced with precise filters. You also get catch-up arrows so you know where you left off in the conversation. Audio messages are now automatically transcribed to help you read it whenever you have time.

From a privacy perspective, Messages now has a new Check In feature, which allows you to notify family and friends about your current location. It alerts the person to your location with a pop-up box, and keeps you informed of their movement. Apple says that using the feature means that you share the device’s location, iPhone’s battery level and cell service status with the other user. Having said that, all shared data is protected behind end-to-end encryption.

4. Share your files and contacts

Now you have AirDrop version to share contacts with other iPhone users effortlessly. It’s called NameDrop, which helps you share contact details by bringing iPhones together like in the image below. It will also gradually work through Apple Watch. You can use the same method to share content or even play music, watch a movie as long as both iPhones are close to each other.

5. Standby Mode for Docking iPhone

Google already has the feature for Pixel and now iPhone users get the docking style lockscreen mode. You’ll find all the information you need, including weather, music playback, and a digital photo album that changes like a screensaver. Apple showed off a dock during the keynote that holds the iPhone and we look forward to hearing more on that, perhaps when the iPhone launches.

6. Share Password

iOS 17 brings easier ways to share passwords or passkeys. Sharing is done through iCloud Keychain and allows people in the group to edit or add new passwords that are available to everyone in the group. All sharing is done behind end-to-end encryption.

7. Now just say “Siri”

Apple has confirmed that it is dropping the Hey word to activate Siri on iPhones. The company also said that it will let you talk to the voice assistant without having to say Siri every time.

8. AirTags Now Shareable

You can share AirTags with up to 5 people, which means they can be tracked by your friends and family. You create a group where all these people are added and you allow them to check the status of the item being tracked via AirTag.

9. Apple Maps Offline

Offline maps are now available on Apple Maps for select markets. You can download details for a specific location and use it for turn-by-turn navigation that activates when you’re out of your network area. Maps now also provides EV-centric details and where chargers are located.

10. Adaptive Audio for AirPods

Apple is bringing a new AirPod feature with adaptive audio that switches depending on your environment, be it a crowded place or a quiet environment. This is similar to the adaptive feature on other high-end TWS earbuds and now the AirPods get it.