Apple has launched iOS 17 to the general public, and as famous, it’s a large launch with tons of recent updates. For instance how jam-packed this iOS launch is, I beforehand did a two-hour iOS 17 hands-on that meticulously stepped by means of the whole lot new. On this newest hands-on video walkthrough, I focus on and showcase my favourite iOS 17 prime adjustments and options for iPhone customers.

This replace covers what I imagine to be the 20 core objects that ought to persuade everybody to make the bounce from iOS 16, as if the batch of essential safety fixes wasn’t sufficient.

Sponsor: Particular because of Bellroy for sponsoring 9to5Mac! Get an unique 10% low cost off your entire Bellroy vary of circumstances and equipment.

What iPhones work with iOS 17?

In the event you plan on buying any one of many new iPhone 15 fashions, iOS 17 will come pre-installed. However there will likely be hundreds of thousands of customers who will likely be upgrading their present iPhones to iOS 17 as effectively. Does your iPhone help iOS 17? You’ll be able to try this publish for particulars on which fashions help Apple’s newest OS replace, however it’s protected to say in the event you’ve upgraded within the final a number of years, your iPhone will likely be supported. Assist dates again 5 years to 2018’s iPhone XR, whereas iOS 17 drops help for 2 iPhone fashions: the iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

Video: iOS 17 prime options for iPhone

Subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for extra movies

StandBy

Arguably the headline function for iOS 17, StandBy takes among the best Apple Watch options and applies it to a tool with considerably extra display actual property. StandBy works along with a MagSafe charger, just like the moveable Belkin MagSafe Wi-fi Charger Pad, to supply a brand new nightstand-centric fullscreen expertise in panorama mode whereas your gadget expenses.

StandBy gives customers with info at a look through a number of first-party widgets, and builders may create third-party widgets. The fullscreen expertise is designed to be considered from a distance, equivalent to on a desk or nightstand, offering customers with helpful info that they’ll digest at a look.

With StandBy, you possibly can flip your iPhone right into a clock to your nightstand or desktop work atmosphere, showcase your favourite images, or view pertinent info through useful Sensible Stacks widgets. StandBy even helps Dwell Actions, permitting you to observe real-time info in full display out of your favourite third-party apps for issues like meals supply, flights, or sports activities scores.

I’ve been utilizing StandBy for months now, and it sits amongst my favourite iOS 17 options. It’s one cause why a very good MagSafe wi-fi charging stand will likely be essential accent for the iPhone. In the event you’re in search of a conveyable, low-key charger, then the Belkin MagSafe Wi-fi Charger Pad is a strong choice. For a decidedly higher-end look, you may think about the aforementioned Nomad Stand One.

Siri activation and back-to-back Siri requests

Beginning with iOS 17, it’s now attainable to activate Siri by simply saying “Siri” as a substitute of “Hey Siri,” which streamlines the method of invoking the digital assistant. The brand new activation technique is accessible for iPhone customers however may also be activated through the second-generation AirPods Professional, both the unique Lightning model or the up to date model with USB-C.

Go to Settings → Siri & Search → Hear for, and choose the “Siri” or “Hey Siri” choice. With this feature enabled, your iPhone will hear for both the two-word key phrase or the single-word key phrase to activate Siri.

Piggybacking on the brand new simplified Siri activation key-phrase, iOS 17 makes it attainable to carry out back-to-back Siri requests with out having to make use of the key-phrase a second time. For instance, you possibly can say: “Siri, what time is it in Los Angeles?” after which instantly observe up with, “and what’s the climate like there right this moment?” Siri will acknowledge the context of the dialog and give you the climate for Los Angeles, despite the fact that you didn’t particularly ask, “What’s the climate like in Los Angeles?”

The power for back-to-back Siri requests has been a very long time coming and makes interacting with Siri quicker. Coupled with the brand new less complicated activation key phrase, working with Siri feels extra pure in iOS 17 than ever earlier than.

Dwell Voicemail

In the event you’re sufficiently old to recollect landline telephones with mechanical answering machines, you’ll shortly perceive why the upgraded voicemail system in iOS 17 hearkens again to the great previous days. Again within the day, when somebody referred to as, you might really hear them as they left a message in your machine. This gave you a chance to display the decision and decide up the decision midmessage if desired. iOS 17 pulls such performance from the previous and provides trendy conveniences.

With iOS 17’s Dwell Voicemail function, you possibly can view a stay transcription of a message because it’s being recorded. If it’s an individual you’d like to speak to, merely faucet the Settle for button to select up the decision midmessage. You too can determine to not reply the decision and permit the caller to complete leaving their message. Dwell Voicemail additionally locations a useful Voicemail button proper on the incoming name display to ship the caller on to voicemail.

Dwell Voicemail performs properly with the iOS function of Silence Unknown Callers, present in Settings → Cellphone → Silence Unknown Callers, which prevents notifications for the incoming name and thereafter, sending them to voicemail. I feel most customers will discover that Dwell Voicemail is palms down among the best comfort upgrades present in iOS 17.

FaceTime Audio/Video Messages

In different call-related information, iOS 17 lastly brings forth the power to file video messages for missed FaceTime calls. These messages may be left utilizing the assorted FaceTime video results, equivalent to Reactions, Studio Mild, and Portrait Mode. Messages are displayed in keeping with the incoming FaceTime name checklist and might even be performed again on the Apple Watch.

Create Dwell Stickers

Over the previous few weeks, I’ve been taking part in round with the brand new Dwell Sticker function so much, and I’ve been stunned by how a lot I’ve loved it. By long-pressing on a topic in an ordinary picture or Dwell Photograph, you’ll see an choice to create a sticker from the item by tapping the Add Sticker button.

Stickers are saved in a brand new Sticker Drawer, which implies they aren’t simply restricted to the Messages app however may be accessed anyplace through the emoji button on the iOS keyboard. As well as, customers can apply all types of cool results to stickers, equivalent to a white define or an impact that makes your creation appear to be a type of old-school puffy stickers from the 80s.

However my favourite factor to do is to make use of Dwell Photographs to create animated Dwell Stickers. Within the instance above, I took a Dwell Photograph of our Solo Range hearth pit and turned it into an animated sticker that may be reused an infinite variety of occasions.

Interactive widgets

Widgets develop into much more helpful in iOS 17 as a result of they’re now not restricted to only being hyperlinks to a full app however may be interacted with instantly from the Dwelling Display. Meaning now you can full duties proper from the Reminders widget and management good dwelling units like lights and followers while not having to open the complete Dwelling app. The identical interactivity can be prolonged to widgets that seem in StandBy, and third-party widgets can function interactivity as effectively.

9to5Mac’s Take

So-called quality-of-life enhancements, like with the ability to activate Siri by simply saying “Siri” and with the ability to work together with Siri utilizing back-to-back requests, make for extra pure conversations. Different options, like Dwell Voicemail and with the ability to depart audio and video messages for unanswered FaceTime calls, present noteworthy enhancements as effectively.

StandBy mode borrows one of many key options from watchOS and turns your iPhone into a way more versatile nightstand companion. Enhancements like offline maps and SharePlay music collaboration make the iPhone a a lot better on-the-go companion whereas touring.

iOS 17 is a large replace with tons of recent adjustments and options that considerably enhance the iPhone expertise. The few options listed above present only a style of what I cowl in my full hands-on video walkthrough, so remember to test it out. For an much more in-depth overview of the whole lot new in Apple’s newest software program replace, watch my two-hour walkthrough that covers over 350 iOS 17 options. Simply remember to make loads of 🍿 beforehand.

All issues thought-about, iOS 17 is considered one of my favourite iOS updates we’ve had in the previous few years, and I’ve discovered it to be secure throughout my testing of a number of the newest beta releases. What’s your favourite new iOS 17 function? Hold forth down beneath within the feedback along with your ideas and opinions.