iOS 17 release date
Apple usually releases its new iOS updates in September, alongside its new iPhone models. This year, we expect iOS 17 to be released around the same time as the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro series. However, before that, Apple will announce iOS 17 at WWDC (World Wide Developer’s Conference) in June. WWDC is Apple’s annual event where it showcases its latest innovations and advancements for its operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Apple has confirmed that WWDC 2023 will take place from June 5 to June 9, with a special keynote address on June 5 where it will reveal iOS 17 and other software updates. Shortly after WWDC, Apple will release two beta versions of iOS 17: a developer preview and a public beta. The developer preview is intended for app developers who want to test their apps for compatibility and performance with the new update. The public beta is open to anyone who wants to try out the new features and provide feedback to Apple.
The public beta is usually reliable enough to use on a daily phone about a month or two after the program starts. However, keep in mind that beta versions are not final and may have bugs or glitches that could affect your experience. If you want to join the public beta program, you can sign up on Apple’s website when it becomes available.
iOS 17 rumored features
While Apple has not officially revealed any details about iOS 17 yet, there have been some rumors and leaks that suggest what we can expect from the update. Here are some of the most anticipated features that could be part of iOS 17:
New Control Center design
One of the areas that could see a major overhaul in iOS 17 is the Control Center. According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple is working on a new design for the Control Center that will make it more customizable and accessible. The report claims that users will be able to add or remove controls as they wish, as well as rearrange them according to their preferences.
The new Control Center could also include new widgets and shortcuts for various functions and apps, such as Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, Health, and more. For example, there could be a widget that shows real-time lyrics from Apple Music on the lock screen, or a widget that shows directions from Maps on the lock screen. The new Control Center could also have a dark mode option for Safari, as well as improved privacy settings.
Mood tracking and journaling app
Another feature that could be introduced in iOS 17 is a new app called Mood. This app is designed to help users track and improve their mental health by using various sensors and data sources on the iPhone. The app will measure the user’s mood and provide personalized suggestions and feedback based on factors such as heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels, and social interactions.
The app will also integrate with a Journal feature, which will allow users to record their thoughts and feelings using voice or text, and access them across devices. The Journal feature could also sync with other apps such as Photos, Calendar, Notes, Reminders, and more. The Mood app is reportedly still in development and may not be ready for launch at WWDC 2023.
New features for the Health app
The Health app is one of Apple’s most popular apps that helps users monitor their physical and mental well-being. In iOS 17, the Health app could get some new features that will make it even more useful and comprehensive. According to a report by MacRumors, some of these features include:
- A food tracking feature that will allow users to log their meals and snacks, as well as get nutritional information and recommendations.
- A blood glucose monitoring feature that will work with compatible devices such as glucose meters or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
- A sleep tracking feature that will use data from the iPhone’s accelerometer and gyroscope to measure the user’s sleep quality and duration.
- A pregnancy tracking feature that will help expectant mothers track their baby’s development and health.
- A medication tracking feature that will help users manage their prescriptions and dosages.
App locking and side-loading
One of the most requested features from iPhone users is the ability to lock individual apps with Face ID or Touch ID for enhanced security. While some third-party apps already support this feature, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, there is no native option for locking apps on iOS. However, this could change with iOS 17.
According to a concept video by YouTuber Nicholas Ghigo, iOS 17 could bring the ability to lock any app on the iPhone with Face ID or Touch ID. This would prevent unauthorized access to sensitive or personal information stored in apps such as Messages, Photos, Mail, Notes, etc.
Another feature that could be part of iOS 17 is side-loading apps. This means being able to install apps from sources other than the App Store, such as websites or third-party app stores. This would give users more freedom and choice over what apps they want to use on their iPhones.
However, side-loading apps also come with some risks, such as malware, spyware, or data theft. Therefore, Apple would likely implement some safeguards and restrictions for side-loading apps, such as requiring user consent, displaying warnings, or limiting functionality.
iOS 17-supported devices
One of the questions that many iPhone users have is whether their device will be compatible with iOS 17 or not. While Apple has not confirmed this yet, there have been some rumors that suggest which devices will get the update and which ones will not.
According to a source cited by MacRumors, iOS 17 will drop support for some older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X . These devices were released between November 2015 and November 2017, and have already received five major iOS updates. Therefore, they may not be eligible for another one.
If this rumor is true, then iOS 17 will only support devices running on the A12 Bionic chip or newer. This includes :
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Pro
However, there could be some exceptions to this rule. For example, the sixth-generation iPad (2018) and seventh-generation iPad (2019) run on the A10 Fusion chip, but they are still expected to receive iPadOS 17. Similarly, the second-generation iPad Pro (2017) runs on the A10X Fusion chip, but it may also get iPadOS 17.
Therefore, we will have to wait for Apple’s official announcement at WWDC 2023 to find out which devices will get iOS 17.
Wrap-up
iOS 17 is shaping up to be an exciting update for iPhone users. While it may not have many game-changing additions, it could have some nice-to-have features that will improve the user experience. From a new Control Center design to a mood-tracking app, there is something for everyone in iOS 17.
Of course, these are just rumors and speculations at this point, so we can’t be sure what iOS 17 will actually look like until Apple reveals it at WWDC. We will keep you updated with all the latest news and information about iOS 17 as it becomes available.
Conclusion
iOS 17 is the next big update for the iPhone, and it could bring some exciting new features and changes to your device. From a new Control Center design to a mood-tracking app, there is something for everyone in iOS 17.
However, these are just rumors and speculations at this point, so we can’t be sure what iOS 17 will actually look like until Apple reveals it at WWDC 2023. We will keep you updated with all the latest news and information about iOS 17 as it becomes available.
We hope you enjoyed this article and learned something new about iOS 17. If you did, please share it with your friends and family who might be interested in iOS 17 as well. Also, don’t forget to leave a comment below and let us know what you think about iOS 17. We would love to hear from you!
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about iOS 17 that you might have:
When will iOS 17 be released?
iOS 17 is expected to be released on or around the middle of September, to coincide with the expected iPhone 15 launch. However, before that, Apple will announce iOS 17 at WWDC (World Wide Developer’s Conference) in June. WWDC is Apple’s annual event where it showcases its latest innovations and advancements for its operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS.
Which devices will get iOS 17?
According to a rumor cited by MacRumors, iOS 17 will drop support for some older iPhone models, such as the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X . These devices were released between November 2015 and November 2017, and have already received five major iOS updates. Therefore, they may not be eligible for another one.
If this rumor is true, then iOS 17 will only support devices running on the A12 Bionic chip or newer. This includes :
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2020)
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 14 Pro
However, there could be some exceptions to this rule. For example, the sixth-generation iPad (2018) and seventh-generation iPad (2019) run on the A10 Fusion chip, but they are still expected to receive iPadOS 17. Similarly, the second-generation iPad Pro (2017) runs on the A10X Fusion chip, but it may also get iPadOS 17.
Therefore, we will have to wait for Apple’s official announcement at WWDC 2023 to find out which devices will get iOS 17.
What are the new features of iOS 17?
While Apple has not officially revealed any details about iOS 17 yet, there have been some rumors and leaks that suggest what we can expect from the update. Here are some of the most anticipated features that could be part of iOS 17:
- New Control Center design: The Control Center could get a new design that will make it more customizable and accessible. Users will be able to add or remove controls as they wish, as well as rearrange them according to their preferences. The new Control Center could also include new widgets and shortcuts for various functions and apps, such as Apple Music, Maps, Wallet, Health, and more.
- Mood tracking and journaling app: A new app called Mood could help users track and improve their mental health by using various sensors and data sources on the iPhone. The app will measure the user’s mood and provide personalized suggestions and feedback based on factors such as heart rate, sleep patterns, activity levels, and social interactions. The app will also integrate with a Journal feature, which will allow users to record their thoughts and feelings using voice or text, and access them across devices.
- New features for the Health app: The Health app could get some new features that will make it even more useful and comprehensive. Some of these features include a food tracking feature, a blood glucose monitoring feature, a sleep tracking feature, a pregnancy tracking feature, and a medication tracking feature.
- App locking and side-loading: Users could be able to lock individual apps with Face ID or Touch ID for enhanced security. This would prevent unauthorized access to sensitive or personal information stored in apps such as Messages, Photos, Mail, Notes, etc. Users could also be able to side-load apps from sources other than the App Store, such as websites or third-party app stores. This would give users more freedom and choice over what apps they want to use on their iPhones.