All the best features available on your iPhone

Apple released iOS 17 last September after announcing the iPhone 15, Apple Watch Series 9, and Apple Watch Ultra 2. The update includes plenty of new features and capabilities, such as improvements to the Messages app, a new Contact Poster, and StandBy, a feature that turns your iPhone into a smart display while charging.

What’s coming in iOS 17.4?

EU iPhone owners break free from the App Store

The next major update for the iPhone, iOS 17.4, is currently available through Apple’s developer and public beta programs for anyone to install.

The update includes several new features and improvements, with the most notable change being one of the biggest ever for the App Store. Once iOS 17.4 is released, Apple will give iPhone owners who live in the European Union the option to install apps from third-party app stores in addition to Apple’s App Store. We broke down the entire announcement if you want to know the finer details. Also expected in iOS 17.4 are new Emoji and improvements to Stolen Device Protection.

iOS 17.4 is expected to be released before the EU App Store rules go into effect on March 7.

Related

I just got Android 14, but Apple’s iOS 17 roll-out has filled me with envy

Android OS updates just aren’t that exciting.

What arrived in iOS 17.3?

Turn on Stolen Device Protection right now

Apple released iOS 17.3 on Jan. 22, 2024.

The update included the typical bug fixes and performance improvements, along with a totally new feature called Stolen Device Protection. When enabled (which you definitely should have it enabled), Stolen Device Protection will prevent would-be thieves from changing your iCloud account password, even if they watched and memorized you entering your phone’s passcode. Collaborative playlists for Apple Music, and the long awaited support for AirPlay in hotels was also enabled (although, no hotels official support the feature quote yet.)

What arrived in iOS 17.2?

Improvements to Messages and a Journal app

Apple released iOS 17.2 on Dec. 11, 2023.The iPhone update included the previously announced Journal app, a new way to use emoji to reply to messages in the Messages app, a translate option for the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro/Pro Max, camera improvements and more. Read our full rundown of iOS 17.2 to get caught up.

What arrived in iOS 17.1?

It wasn’t a major update, but not all

iOS 17.1 made its debut on Oct. 25, 2023.

It introduced improvements to AirDrop, including the ability to continue transferring an item over the internet when you leave AirDrop range of the other person. The Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 received more notable updates alongside the release of iOS 17.1, as well, which you can read all about here.

What did iOS 17 bring to the iPhone?

Plenty of new features to be found

iOS 17 was released shortly after Apple announced the iPhone 15 lineup. The update added several new tools, features, and enhancements to the iPhone lineup.

Some of those features include changes to the Messages app, a new safety featured called Check In, a way to turn your iPhone into a smart display using StandBy mode, use StandBy as a digital photo frame (and the ability to block alerts while in StandBy), mental wellbeing tools, a cool new Live Voicemail feature to monitor incoming calls, NameDrop for quickly sharing your contact info with other Apple users, a beefed up version of caller ID called Contact Posters, and an option to auto-delete one time password texts and emails to name just a few.

Oh, I almost forgot — there are a ton of hidden features, as well.

Updating your iPhone

Compatibility, preparation and how to install

If you haven’t updated to iOS 17 quite yet, there’s no time like the present. If you’re unsure if your iPhone is even compatible with the update, we have a complete list.

Once you’re ready to upgrade, make sure you backup your phone before taking the plunge. Future you will thank present you if something goes wrong during the update. With a fresh backup, it’s finally time to install iOS 17 in your iPhone. Follow our guide here for step-by-step instructions.