Apple’s iOS has been a game-changer in the smartphone arena since its debut in 2007. Year after year, we’ve seen its transformation, with each new version packed with enhancements and cool features. Fast forward to 12th September 2023, the tech giant released iOS 17 update, in tandem with the iPhone 15. In this piece, we’re diving deep into all the features that come with this update. Yes, including over 60 hidden features you might not be aware of! Ready to explore iOS 17? Let’s get started.

Exploring iOS 17: What’s New and Noteworthy

1. Contact Poster

Say hello to one of the standout features of iOS 17: the Contact Poster. This nifty feature lets you tailor-make a unique calling screen, blending both your personal and professional details. When another iOS 17 user calls, their chosen contact photo and personalized poster pop up on your screen. Forget the old-school way of just saving numbers and photos; the Contact Poster brings a modern flair to your contacts.

2. NameDrop

Meet NameDrop. This feature ensures sharing your contact details is as simple as bringing two iPhones close together. Whatever you’ve saved in your Contact Poster, NameDrop can share, be it emails, documents, location, or other details. The cherry on top? It’s also compatible with your Apple Watch. So, bumping watches or phones instantly saves contacts in each device.

3. StandBy Mode

For those who prefer their iPhone to act as a mini-dashboard without unlocking it, the StandBy Mode is a game-changer. The iOS 17 StandBy Mode revolutionizes your lock screen, allowing you to pepper it with various widgets. Essentially, your lock screen transforms into an always-on smart display.

4. Live Wallpaper

iOS 17 marks the return of the Live Wallpaper feature. Now, you have the freedom to set any video or live photo as your lock or home screen wallpaper. It’s perfect for those who like adding a touch of dynamism to their device’s aesthetic.

5. New Stickers App

Sticker enthusiasts, rejoice! Apple has revamped its stickers app this year. You can now send animated stickers via iMessage or any third-party app. The new and improved Live Stickers app is available on the App Store, ready for download. Choose your favorite stickers and share the fun with friends and family. And for an added bonus, accessing stickers directly in the Messages app has never been easier.

6. Detection Mode

The Magnifier app gets a major boost with iOS 17. Just point to any object around you, and the app can identify it. Whether it’s counting the number of doors nearby, recognizing people standing around, or even describing images, this feature has it covered. However, there’s a catch: it’s exclusively available for iPhone Pro series equipped with LiDAR sensors.

7. Personal Voice

In a world leaning more towards AI every day, Apple introduces “Personal Voice.” This feature lets you train and personalize a voice assistant, almost like creating your version of Siri. Imagine using your voice across Apple devices, even replacing Siri’s voice! And what’s more, you can utilize your Personal Voice to voice-over videos or read out sentences.

8. Live Speech

Pairing with the Personal Voice feature is “Live Speech.” Write down any sentence, and you can have it read back in your own voice. This innovative feature can be particularly beneficial for individuals with conditions like ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or other related health challenges.

9. Song Credit

For all the music aficionados out there, the Apple Music update has something special: the “Song Credit” feature. Now, for every song playing, you can delve into its credits to discover the original singer, album details, and more. It’s a treat for those who love the story behind the music.

10. Log State of Mind

Enter “Log State of Mind,” a feature that’s all about mental well-being. Integrated perfectly with the Apple Watch, this feature prompts you to log your daily emotions, helping you gauge if you’re feeling upbeat or down. It provides a comprehensive insight into your mental state, making it a fantastic tool for ensuring mental balance amidst the chaos of daily life.

11. Multiple Profiles in Safari

For years, many browsers have offered the ability to create separate profiles for personal and professional browsing. iOS 17 brings this feature to Apple users. Now, you can set up multiple profiles in the Safari browser on your iPhone, iPad, and even Mac. It’s a game changer for organizing your tasks seamlessly.

12. Clear Safari History

Safari has undergone significant updates in iOS 17, emphasizing user-friendly features and security. A notable addition is the ability to selectively clear Safari history. You can choose to erase browsing data from specific profiles or for a particular duration. No more clearing out the entire browser history when you only need to remove bits of it.

13. Private Search Engine

With Apple’s continued emphasis on privacy, the Safari browser introduced the Private Search Engine feature. Users can now designate a specific search engine for their private tabs, eliminating repetitive manual data entries each time you access the browser’s private mode.

14. Lock Safari Tab

Wondering how to enhance your browsing privacy on the iPhone? iOS 17 addresses this by allowing users to lock Safari private tabs using Face ID or passcodes. This added layer of security ensures that your private browsing remains just that – private. You can easily activate this feature within the Safari settings for added peace of mind.

15. Advanced Tracking Protection

Online safety is paramount, and iOS 17 introduces Advanced Tracking Protection for Safari. This feature shields users from third-party ad trackers, spider bots, and other prying eyes that might harvest personal data. By constantly monitoring your history, cache, and cookies, this tool defends against potential online threats.

16. Share Location

Before iOS 17, sharing live locations via iMessage was a bit of a hassle. But now, Apple users can effortlessly send and request live locations directly from the Messages app. While apps like WhatsApp have had this feature for a decade, Apple’s inclusion of it is a welcome addition for iPhone users.

17. Apple Check-In

The new iOS 17 introduces the Apple Check-In feature. It lets users share live locations, complete with a route path, almost like having a personal navigation companion. For instance, when you leave a specific location, say your office, selected contacts get a notification about your departure, estimated arrival time, and any delays. If your travel time exceeds the usual, the app sends out an SOS-type alert to check on your safety. This feature has quickly become a favorite among iPhone users.

18. New iMessage App

Say goodbye to the old iMessage layout and hello to a refreshed UI in iOS 17. With a slew of enhancements and new features, the Messages app has undergone a significant transformation. The former footer App drawer has shifted to a sidebar, making room for features like undoing sent messages, reacting to them, and sharing photos and videos without attached metadata.

19. Voice Memos in Messages

Gone are the days of losing voice messages due to time restrictions. With iOS 17, you can now save voice messages directly to the Voice Memos app, allowing for indefinite storage until you choose to delete them manually.

20. Audio Transcription

Another impressive addition to iOS 17’s Messages app is the Audio Transcription feature. Now, when you record a voice message, it automatically transcribes your words. This means recipients can understand your message content without having to play the audio, catering to situations where audio playback might be inconvenient.

21. Quick Crop

The Photos app on iPhone now boasts the Quick Crop feature. Without navigating to the editor tools, users can simply pinch-zoom on a photo and adjust it to their desired frame to crop it. It’s a nifty feature that not everyone may be aware of.

22. Smart Search Filters

Struggling to find specific details in the iMessage app? With the new Smart Search Filters in iOS 17, you can locate micro-details within your messages. Whether it’s searching by location, file type, or even specific time durations, this tool is a game-changer, especially for those whose inboxes are flooded with messages.

23. Listen to Page

A lesser-known feature in iOS 17 is “Listen to Page.” Here’s how it works: In Safari, this tool reads aloud web pages in a voice of your choice, whether it’s the default Siri voice or a personalized one. It’s particularly useful for those who’d prefer to listen to articles on-the-go rather than read them.

24. Pronouns in Contacts

The Pronouns feature in Contacts is a subtle but thoughtful addition. It allows users to add titles like Mr., Mrs., and other pronouns to contacts, offering a level of formality or respect when needed.

25. Set Multiple Ringtones

For dual-SIM iPhone users, iOS 17 introduces the ability to assign different ringtones to each SIM card. It’s a practical feature for distinguishing between personal and professional calls, helping users identify the nature of the call even before answering.

26. Straighten Shooting Angle

The Straighten Shooting Angle ensures more stable photo captures on the iPhone. A white horizontal line serves as an indicator to help align the iPhone camera’s position, making it easier to get the perfect shot. This feature is particularly useful for digital creators and photographers.

27. Fast Haptic Touch

Enhance your touch experience with improved haptic feedback. iOS 17 offers the option to switch between three haptic touch speeds – Fast, Default, and Slow. The new “Fast Touch” gives users quicker and more subtle vibration feedback, elevating the touch experience, especially during gaming.

28. AirPlay in Hotel

AirPlay now lets users mirror photos, videos, and documents directly to TVs in selected hotel rooms. No need for an Apple TV or any additional equipment; simply use the AirPlay in Hotel feature via a QR code and enjoy seamless screen casting.

29. Autofill Email Verification

iOS 17 brings enhanced convenience by allowing the Apple Mail app to autofill email verification codes. Users no longer need to manually open the Mail app to retrieve and fill in verification codes.

30. Auto Clean Up Verification Codes

One standout feature in iOS 17 is the Auto Clean Up Verification Codes. Once email and message verification codes are auto-filled, they’ll automatically be deleted from the iPhone, conserving storage. Gone are the days of manually removing OTP messages from the Apple Mail and Messages apps; iOS 17 handles this clutter for you.

31. Interactive Widgets

iOS 17 introduces widgets with interactive capabilities, eliminating the need to open specific apps for certain tasks. Directly from these widgets, users can make calls, play music, set reminders, or check locations. Plus, these widgets work efficiently even in StandBy mode, saving users time and enhancing accessibility.

32. Just “Siri”

Siri 2.0 is here, and it’s more intuitive than ever. The traditional “Hey Siri” prompt has been simplified to just “Siri“. So, instead of saying “Hey Siri, call TechRushi Office,” it’s now as simple as “Siri, call TechRushi Office.”

33. Continuous Commands for Siri

Siri 2.0 brings a more streamlined interaction. There’s no more need to repeatedly say “Hey Siri.” Users can say “Siri” once and give several commands in succession. This enhanced version of Siri can handle various commands, from picking up calls to turning off specific features.