iOS 17 - Should You Upgrade to the Latest iOS Version?

Apple's iOS 17 update brought various new features to your iPhone, including Messages, FaceTime, Lock Screen, and more improvements. 

Here's a breakdown of the key features to help you leap if you should update to iOS 17:

Key Takeaways

• Live phone transcripts, message stickers, location sharing, and message reply options.
• StandBy mode for clock and widgets, interactive widgets.
• AirDrop updates, better keyboard autocorrect, privacy features, health tracking, Maps with offline downloads, and EV routing.
• iOS 17 offers a significant upgrade with new features and improvements.
• Upgrading is recommended for most users, but check compatibility and potential lag for older devices.

Features for Communication

Phone:

• Contact Posters let you personalize how you appear during calls.

• Live Voicemail allows you to see a transcript as someone leaves a message and even picks up the call directly from voicemail.

Messages:

• Stickers are all in one place, including Memoji, Animoji, and third-party stickers.

• Create Live Stickers by lifting objects from photos and videos.

• Check-in lets you notify someone when you arrive safely at a destination.

• Audio message transcription lets you read messages instead of listening.

• Improved search filters help you find messages faster.

• Swipe to reply lets you respond to messages inline.

• One-time verification code cleanup removes codes automatically after use.

FaceTime:

• Leave video or audio messages if someone doesn't answer your call.

• Enjoy FaceTime calls on Apple TV using your iPhone as the camera.

• Add fun 3D effects like hearts and confetti during video calls.

• Adjust video effects with intensity controls for Studio Lighting and Portrait mode.

Lock Screen Enhancements

• StandBy: This new feature turns your iPhone into a nightstand clock or mini bright display while charging. It displays clocks, photos, widgets, and more in a glanceable format.

Other Improvements

• Widgets: Widgets are now interactive and can perform actions directly from the Home Screen or Lock Screen. You can also add iPhone widgets to your Mac desktop.

• AirDrop: NameDrop lets you easily share contact information by bringing iPhones close together. There's also a new way to initiate AirDrop, which is to share content or start SharePlay sessions.

• Keyboard: Improved autocorrect accuracy, easier editing of autocorrections, and enhanced sentence corrections make typing smoother.

• Safari and Passwords: Create separate browsing profiles for work and personal life. Lock private browsing windows and block trackers. Share passwords securely with trusted contacts.

• Maps: Download offline maps for areas you visit frequently. Get EV routing with real-time charger availability.

• Siri: Say "Siri" and "Hey Siri" to activate the voice assistant. Siri can handle back-to-back requests without needing to be reactivated.

• Visual Look Up: Discover similar recipes, explore places from photos of storefronts, and learn about objects and signs. Lift subjects from pictures and videos to use them in other apps.

• Health: Track your mood and emotions, gain insights into your mental well-being, and even take mental health assessments. The Screen Distance feature helps reduce digital eye strain.

• Privacy: Enable Sensitive Content Warnings to avoid unexpected nudity in Messages and other apps. Expanded protections for children help prevent exposure to inappropriate content.

• Accessibility: AssistiveTouch simplifies apps and features for those who need them. Live Speech types what you want to say and speaks it out loud. Personal VoiVoicelows users at risk of losing their voiVoice create a synthetic voice for communication.

Assessing iOS 17 Installation: Is It Worth It?

Indeed, iOS 17 merits installation. While encountering a few glitches and bugs in the initial release of official software is shared, most significant issues are likely resolved. Apple officially launched iOS 17 on September 18, 2023.

You can confidently proceed with installing iOS 17 with minimal concerns. Should you choose to install iOS 17, consider the following:

Compatible Devices

Here's a rundown of Apple devices that support iOS 17. Take a look to see if your iPhone model is included:

Common iPhone Software Update Challenges and Resolutions

Insufficient Storage:

Ensure you have enough storage space before initiating an iPhone update. For instance, iOS 15 mandates approximately 3.24 GB of available space, while iOS 17 requires around 3.1 GB. If your device lacks storage, a prompt will appear advising you to remove apps temporarily.

You can proceed by permitting apps to reinstall automatically post-update or manually deleting content from your device.

Low Battery:

To successfully update your iPhone, it must have a minimum battery charge of 50% or be connected to a power source. Pre-charge your device to prevent this issue from happening again. If reaching a 50% charge is problematic or your iPhone's Battery Health consistently registers as poor, contemplate replacing the battery rather than upgrading your device.

Upgrading to iOS 17