When is iOS 17 out? Predicted release date for new Apple OS, key features and which iPhone devices can use it
Apple fans are standing by as its latest iPhone operating system, iOS 17, is expected to drop imminently.
The tech company announced the new release in June, releasing a swathe of developer and public betas in a bid to capture and squish any bugs that may arise ahead of the global rollout.
And with an Apple Wonderlust event set to take place at 6pm tonight, the anticipation is building.
When does Apple iOS 17 come out?
While an exact date hasn’t been confirmed, the announcement of an Apple event later today suggests the drop will be coming within days.
Apple has consistently released a new version of iOS in September for several years, usually after the announcement of that year’s iPhone, an event that is predicted to take place this evening.
And in a customary move, Apple has also pulled its online store ahead of tonight’s expected event.
Which iPhone devices are compatible with iOS 17?
According to the Apple website, the following iPhone models will get the update when it drops:
- iPhone 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 (2nd generation or later)
That means the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X will not be compatible with the new release. If you have those iPhone models, iOS 16 is your last major OS update.
What can Apple customers expect from iOS 17?
Standby mode: One of the biggest updates in iOS 17, this enables you to use and interact with your phone while it’s charging on your bedside table. Similarly to a tablet, the smart display also enables you to see photos, the time in a larger format, and event widgets.
Live voicemail: If you don’t want to pick up a call, live voicemail will begin to transcribe what the caller is saying on your screen so you can decide whether or not you wish to answer.
Contact posters: These will let you personalise how you appear in calls on your contact card, enabling you customise your poster with images, fonts and colours.
FaceTime: iOS 17 will enable users to leave a video message in the FaceTime app when people don’t answer.
Improved autocorrect: No more awkward exchanges with your boss; iOS 17 has changed its machine learning model to make it more accurate, taking note of your commonly used words and making inline suggestions of sentences as you type.
Stickers: All emoji are now stickers that can be resized. Even better, subjects from photos, such as your pet dog or partner, can be lifted and turned into stickers.
How can I watch the Apple event live?
Simply click this link to join the Apple event at 6pm GMT for the grand reveal of (we think) the latest iPhone. Expect iOS 17 to drop shortly afterwards.