iOS 17 is ready and available for download: the most important new functions

Optically, iOS 17 doesn't bring any noticeable changes, but instead a number of new functions. Some of the changes are rather minor, while others are all the bigger. The latter category includes standby mode and NameDrop, for example.

The new functions

Apple first unveiled iOS 17 at its developer conference WWDC in June. In the months that followed, several beta versions were released that allowed an advance look at the new features.

But that's not all. Apple Maps can include charging stations for electric cars in the route guidance. Facetime gets an answering machine for video messages and the widgets become more interactive. For example, you can use them to directly control music playback or lighting.

iMessage is getting a wider range of new features:

• Filter in the search
• Check-in lets others share your journey home
• Display voice messages as text (English only for now)
• Swipe right on each message to reply
• New menu for the iMessage apps
• all stickers in one place (Sticker Box, synchronisation via iCloud with other devices)
• Create stickers from your own photos and animated stickers from Live Photos
• Blur sensitive content (especially nudity) for incoming messages

Not only when writing messages can you undo the autocorrect and save your own spelling. You can now do this whenever you use the keyboard.

With Shareplay you can synchronise music playback on two iPhones by holding them together with NameDrop. AirDrop now continues a transfer that has been started even if the two iPhones are too far apart. Prerequisite: Both must be logged in to iCloud.

Siri now already responds to "Siri". You don't need to say "Hey" to activate the voice assistant, at least in English. It can also understand the context of the previous conversation. This means you no longer have to tell it all the information every time.

In Safari, you can create different profiles for tab groups, favourites, extensions, history and cookies. This allows you to separate your private and professional surfing, for example.

Apple Health gets new features for mental health and eyesight.

If you take a lot of photos of dogs and/or cats, the Photos app will now help you sort them. Facial recognition will sort the four-legged friends into albums.

And that's not all. Apple has put an even more detailed overview online.

Waiting for Live Voicemail and Journal

Not all of the new features announced in June will be available immediately at the launch of iOS 17. This is partly due to the language, as with Live Voicemail. The instant transcription and display of messages on your answering machine only works in English for the time being.

Apple's new diary app Journal, on the other hand, has been completely postponed. However, it is due to be released this year. Probably with the update to iOS 17.1 or 17.2.

IOS 17 will be released for these iPhones

All iPhones from the iPhone XS onwards can be updated to iOS 17. Specifically, the following models:

• iPhone XS / XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone SE (2nd and 3rd generation)
• iPhone 11 / 11 Pro / 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12 / 12 mini / 12 Pro / 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 / 13 mini / 13 Pro / 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14 / 14 Plus / 14 Pro / 14 Pro Max

Apple delivers the iPhone 15 directly with iOS 17

Important: There are some functions that are not available for all iPhones with iOS 17. According to Apple, the reason for this is either a lack of components or the performance of the chipset. For example, you can only add AR effects with hand gestures in selfie videos from iPhone 12 onwards. The same applies to the "Point and Talk" function. It is designed to simplify interactions with labelled objects for people with impaired vision.