Apple unveiled iOS 17 at the WWDC keynote last month and released the developer beta. It’s time for the public beta to launch, and the main release will occur in a few months. Here’s a guide to explain when is the release date for Apple iOS 17, which devices it will support, and what features will be available.
iOS 17 is set to bring a set of cool new features and much-needed upgrades, including a new app called Journal, Live Voicemail, and a new way to use Stickers. There are also several bug fixes, tweaks, and enhancements that Apple users are bound to adore. Let’s know about them in depth.
What Is The Release Date Of Apple iOS 17?
On June 05, 2023, Apple announced iOS 17 at the WWDC keynote. So far, two developer beta versions of the upcoming major iOS have launched. They’ve been pretty stable, and Apple users are eagerly waiting for the main launch, and the public beta is just around the corner.
Following the previous trends, Apple’s iOS 17 will likely be released in the second (or maybe third) week of September 2023. If the Cupertino-baed tech giant launches the upcoming iPhone 15 series during the week of September 11th, then iOS 17 will be available officially on September 18th.
This seems to be the plan if there aren’t any last-minute changes. Here are the past release dates of the last few iOS versions:
- iOS 16: September 16, 2022 (after September 7 event)
- iOS 15: September 20, 2021 (after September 14 event)
- iOS 14: September 16, 2020 (after September 15 event)
- iOS 13: September 19, 2019 (after September 10 event)
Thus, iOS 17 will officially release after Apple’s major September event unveiling the iPhone 15 lineup.
When Does The Public Beta Of iOS 17 Launch?
Apple confirmed that the public beta of iOS 17 will launch in July at the WWDC keynote. However, the specific release date wasn’t shared. The latest reports hint that the first public beta of iOS 17 will release during the second week of July.
This is due to the first week of July having a national holiday which means Apple employees will be taking time off. However, it’s possible that the company unveiled the public beta in the first week of July itself. We’ll keep you posted whenever it happens. For now, the second developer beta for iOS 17 is available.
Here are the past release dates of public beta versions of the last few iOS:
- iOS 16 public beta 1: July 11, 2022 (after June 6 developer beta release)
- iOS 15 public beta 1: June 30, 2021 (after June 7 developer beta release)
- iOS 14 public beta 1: July 9, 2020 (after June 22 developer beta release)
- iOS 13 public beta 1: June 24, 2019 (after June 3 developer beta release)
Historically, Apple doesn’t take much time to roll out the public beta after the launch of the developer beta. Since we already have the second developer beta for iOS 17 out, the public beta is bound to launch very soon.
List Of iPhones Compatible With Apple iOS 17:
Here is a list of iPhones that will be compatible with the upcoming iOS 17 when it launches:
- Phone 14
- iPhone 14 Plus
- iPhone 14 Pro
- iPhone 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 13 mini
- iPhone 13 Pro
- iPhone 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 12
- iPhone 12 mini
- iPhone 12 Pro
- iPhone 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 11 Pro
- iPhone 11 Pro Max
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone XR
- iPhone SE 2022
- iPhone SE 2020
The older devices will not be able to upgrade to the newest version. They’ll have to stick to using the latest iOS 16 version because their processor cannot run the new operating system smoothly.
How To Install The Beta Version Of iOS 17?
Apple implied the process to install and use beta versions of iOS for devices running iOS 16.4 or later. If you want to try iOS 17 before everyone else, you can install the developer or public beta on your compatible iPhone. The procedure is pretty simple.
Follow these steps to install iOS 17 beta on your iPhone:
- Go to the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Now tap on General and then tap on “Software Update.”
- Next, tap the “Beta Updates” option.
- Finally, choose iOS 17 Developer or Public Beta and install it.
Note: You can also install developer beta as it’s already available but you need to install the Apple Developer App and sign into it. We’d recommend waiting until the public beta launch before you try the new iOS 17. A wiser choice would be to wait for the main launch in September.
iOS 17 News Features & Upgrades:
The upcoming iOS 17 will bring amazing new features and some much-required upgrades when it launches a few months later. However, the initial look suggests it isn’t a major overhaul and will only build on what last year’s iOS 16 introduced to iPhone users.
Still, there are plenty of features that will surely impress you. Here is a list of the most notable iOS 17 features that you must know about:
Journal App:
Journal is a new app coming with iOS 17 and it’ll provide an additional way to remember your special moments. You can relive them by writing about experiences with text, location, photos, and more. It builds on the Memories functionality in Photos.
Contact Posters:
The new Contact Posters feature will allow you to personalize yourself on calls and your contact card. You can use custom images, fonts, and colors for your poster. It will also work with third-party VoIP apps as it supports Call Kit.
Live Voicemail:
You will now see a live transcript as people speak when they call and leave a message. It will work regardless if you pick up the call or not. It’s one of the most well-received features of iOS 17.
StandBy:
StandBy lets you put the phone in landscape on a stand and you can see the time with a clock. There is a range of clock styles you can choose from.
You can also review your best photos, display widgets, and see Live Activities with this feature. Choosing Night Mode will help you minimize strain on your eyes by displaying red text.
NameDrop:
Apple is adding a new functionality called NameDrop with iOS 17. It allows users to share information and files and begin SharePlay experiences by bumping two iPhones together.
Messages & Check-In:
Apple is upgrading the Messages app to make it faster and adding search filters to make it more convenient. You can use terms to search for the text you’re looking for. You can also skip to the first unread message in a group chat, swipe to reply on any bubble, and automatically transcribe audio messages.
A new Check-In feature in the app allows you to see if your family members or friends have made it to their destination safely. The Messages app will be able to recognize if they aren’t making progress and will prompt you about it.
Personalized Stickers:
With iOS 17, users can resize and customize stickers. They can pick subjects from photos and turn them into stickers. They can also turn live animated photos into Live Stickers.
Apple Maps Offline Downloads:
Apple Maps will start supporting offline downloads with the launch of the upcoming iOS 16. This way, you can navigate using the functionality without an internet connection. It’ll be very helpful for someone who’s off to remote locations frequently.
Hey, Siri will become Siri:
Apple is revamping the “Hey Siri” command to just “Siri.” Apple’s voice assistant will also support back-to-back commands without repeatedly saying the wake word.
Frequently Asked Questions:
A: Apple unveiled the iOS 17 on June 5, 2023, at the WWDC keynote. However, the upcoming iOS version will have a public launch in the second or third week of September after the release of the iPhone 15 lineup. This speculation is based on past trends where Apple followed the same timeline.
A: Yes, the second iOS 17 developer beta is out already and the public beta will be available soon. Apple rolled out the developer beta after announcing iOS 17 on June 5, 2023. The company launched the second developer beta a couple of weeks later.
A: You can get iOS 17 early by installing the developer or public beta. To do that, go to your iPhone’s Settings app and tap “General.” Now tap on “Software Updates” and then tap on “Beta Updates.” Finally, choose Developer or Public beta and complete the installation.
A: The iPhone 11 lineup will get the upcoming iOS 17. However, iPhone X and iPhone 8 will not be compatible to upgrade to iOS 17. Apple is ending support for new software for older devices, including iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. So, you can’t install iOS 17 on these.
Final Take:
Apple users are eagerly looking for iOS 17 to launch, but it’s still a few months away. You can get it earlier by installing the available developer or public beta. However, we won’t recommend this due to the instability of the beta versions. You may not like the overall experience of using them.
A better option would be to wait until September when iOS 17 finally becomes available. You can turn on automatic updates on your iPhone so that it upgrades itself even when you forget to do so. That’s it for this guide. Feel free to ask in the comments if you have any doubts or queries regarding iPhones.
This is Saquib, a technology and social media expert with over 10 years of experience in the industry. With a passion for staying up-to-date on the latest developments and trends in the tech and social media world and as a writer, I have been creating informative and engaging content that is easy for readers to understand and enjoy, also published in several leading tech and social media publications and is a regular speaker at industry events. In addition to my writing and speaking engagements, I also work as a consultant, helping businesses grow with the ever-changing tech and social media niche.
