Today sees the release of Apple’s long-awaited iOS 17 update for iPhones, which includes a number of new and enhanced security features. A large portion of the new capabilities are geared toward defending iPhone users who are more vulnerable to malware and cyberattacks, such as journalists, activists, and human rights defenders. Other iOS 17 features, such as anti-web tracking, secure password storage, and the simple sharing of newer phishing-resistant passkeys, are better suited for a larger audience.

iOS 17

When can I download iOs17?

Around 6 p.m. UK time (1 p.m. in New York; 3 a.m. in Sydney), downloads for iOS, iPadOS, and watchOS updates typically begin. Unlike other manufacturers, Apple will allow all eligible devices to download and install the update simultaneously rather than over time.

What devices can access iOs17?

All Apple smartphones starting with the iPhone XS from 2018 and later can run iOS 17. Any tablet with a 2017 iPad Pro 10.5-inch display or a 2018 iPad (6th generation) or later can run iPadOS 17. WatchOS 10 may be installed on all Apple Watches starting with the 2018 Series 4 model.

What is the cost to get ios17?

Apple offers its updates for free. Update requests that need payment are likely scams.

ios 17
Photo credit: Apple

Here are the Upgrades for IOS 17 features observed

This is what we observed that made the ios 17 unique and stand out

1. Improved keyboard autocorrection on iPhone – iOS 17

With Apple’s keyboard, you can finally swear that you will learn from your manual fixes, effectively “ducking” errors. If it does make a mistake, you can undo the correction by tapping on the underlined words. As you type, the keyboard can now predict and finish complete words, just like Google’s Gmail and other services.

2. New protections in Lockdown Mode

The main change to Lockdown Mode is that it now works on Apple Watch devices as well as iPhones, iPads, and Macs. Given that users of Apple Watches have recently been vulnerable to spyware vulnerabilities, it can’t come soon enough.

lockdown-mode

Lockdown Mode works by selectively disabling services like iMessage and HomeKit that spyware makers have previously misused on the iPhone (and Watch), making it far more difficult to sneak into a device and take its data.

In addition, when sharing images with others using Lockdown Mode in iOS 17, geolocation information, such as the area where the photo was taken, which can betray a person’s location, is automatically removed.

An additional useful feature prevents iPhones in Lockdown Mode from automatically joining insecure Wi-Fi networks that can allow someone on the same network to view the network activity of the iPhone. Additionally, 2G cellular networks are blocked under Lockdown Mode. This seeks to stop a variety of cellular-based exploits that are frequently used by cell site simulators, or “stingrays,” which are used by law enforcement to deceive nearby phones into connecting to fictitious mobile base stations, monitor phone positions, and snoop on calls and messages.

3. Check-in safety features and avoiding scammers

A new version of Passkeys, the phishing-resistant password replacement that enables you to login without being concerned that your passwords might be stolen, is now available. Apple, Google, Microsoft, PayPal, and a plethora of other websites and services already support passkeys. Your password-free status will eventually last forever. Now you may give your friends and family access to your passkeys (and passwords, if necessary). Encryption from end to end is used to communicate passkeys and passwords, making it impossible for anybody else—not even Apple—to access them.

With the new Check In function, iPhone users can notify their pals when they expect to arrive safely at their location. The function keeps track of the user’s current position and notifies a friend if something seems off. There is no need for third-party apps that have sold your location data to marketers and data brokers because this location data is end-to-end encrypted.

Last but not least, Live Transcription is an added benefit for people who desire to never again be harassed by a spam or scam call. Live transcription transforms the caller’s voice into text that is displayed on the screen in real-time rather than answering (or declining) the phone, both of which can let the caller know that the line is active.

4. Advance Anti-web tracking features

The Safari browser in iOS 17 now removes tracking data from web addresses that might be used to identify your device specifically and follow you online. Because of this, it is more challenging for websites and advertising to determine which other websites you visit.

web-tracking

If you want to really make a difference, you can apply this feature to all of your browsing sessions while using iOS 17’s Safari settings, or you can choose to use it only when you’re using private browsing. Your regular browsing experience shouldn’t be negatively impacted by this.

By default, private browsing is also locked, requiring the device owner to be scanned by face or fingerprint before their private tabs may be opened.

5. Contact posters, video messages and live voicemail

You may choose how you appear when contacting individuals thanks to contact posters, which include your photo, text, and changeable colors that appear on receivers’ phones and in their contacts app when you call.

Contact posters, video messages and live voicemail

With NameDrop, you can just bring another iPhone or Apple Watch close by and select what to transmit to share your contact information with them. Other interactions with AirDrop filesharing also use the same proximity method.

The phone app, which is initially only accessible to people in the US and Canada, can now instantly translate voicemail messages so that you can see who is calling and what the call is about before picking it up, which is useful for avoiding spam calls.

If the recipient of a FaceTime call is not available, callers can now leave video voicemails. Using an Apple TV box and the camera on an iPhone or iPad, video calls can also be made to a TV. Hand motions like the thumbs-up can also activate animated reactions like balloons that are rising and other little animations.