Apple's iOS 17 is scheduled to be released to the public today, September 18, 2023. It will be available as a free download for all compatible iPhone models, including the iPhone XS and later.
iOS 17 is a major update to the iPhone operating system, with a number of new features and improvements. Some of the highlights include:
StandBy: A new full-screen experience that gives you glanceable information designed to be viewed from a distance. You can turn your iPhone into a bedside clock, showcase special moments from your photos, and get the right information at the right time with widget Smart Stacks.
Communications: New features to enhance the way you communicate with friends and family on iPhone, including Live Voicemail, Contact Posters, updated in-call controls, and expanded call history.
Messages: A new Stickers experience provides a single home for all your stickers, including Live Stickers, Memoji, Animoji, emoji stickers, and any third-party sticker packs you've downloaded. You can also react to messages with any sticker. Other new Messages features include search filters, a catch-up arrow, and swipe to reply.
Accessibility: New features to make technology more accessible to users with disabilities, including Assistive Access, cutting-edge advancements in speech synthesis, enhancements to the accessibility APIs, and advances in UI frameworks.
Other features: Other new features in iOS 17 include Live Text for videos, a redesigned Reminders app, and new Focus filters.
To update to iOS 17, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If the update is available, you will see a notification to download and install it.
Here are some tips for updating to iOS 17:
Make sure your iPhone is backed up before you update. You can do this to iCloud or to a computer.
Connect your iPhone to a Wi-Fi network before you update. This will help to ensure that the update downloads and installs quickly and smoothly.
Allow some time for the update to install. The update process can take several minutes, depending on your iPhone model and the speed of your Wi-Fi connection.
Once you have updated to iOS 17, be sure to take some time to explore the new features and improvements. You may be surprised at how much you enjoy the new changes.