iOS 17

Following the release of iOS 17.6.1 for iPhone and iPad users last week, Apple has now stopped signing iOS 17.6. iPhone and iPad users who are already running a newer version of iOS can no longer downgrade to this version of the operating system.

As expected, Apple is rolling out iOS 17.6.1 for iPhone users and iPadOS 17.6.1 for iPad users today. Apple says the updates include bug fixes, including a fix for an issue related to Advanced Data Protection. Head below for the details.

While much attention is focused on iOS 18 and iOS 18.1, the vast majority of iPhone users are still running iOS 17. For those iPhone users, Apple is prepping an iOS 17.6.1 update that will likely be released soon.

With iPhone 14 and later, users can contact emergency services even when there’s no Wi-Fi or cellular signal thanks to the Emergency SOS via satellite feature. This feature was first launched in the US and Canada and has since been slowly expanded to more countries. Today, Apple confirmed the expansion of Emergency SOS via satellite to one more country.

Apple is preparing to imminently release iOS 17.6, which will come with the build number 21G79. iOS 17.6 has been light on features throughout the beta period, so presumably this version will primarily include bug fixes and improvements.

One of my favorite features in iOS 17 is StandBy, which turns your iPhone into a smart display when it’s in landscape orientation and charging. One of the best ways to take full advantage of StandBy is with an upright wireless charger.

Head below for a closer look at some of my favorite MagSafe stands for iPhone, perfect for StandBy.

Last week Apple released the first beta for iOS 18, but it’s not done with iOS 17 just yet.

Today the first developer beta for iOS 17.6 was released, and it is available now for download. Also debuting are new betas for Apple’s other platforms: macOS 14.6, watchOS 10.6, iPadOS 17.6, and more.

Apple on Monday announced iOS 18 at WWDC 2024, but although the new software is already available to developers as a beta, most users will only get it this fall. In the meantime, Apple has updated its iOS adoption rate data, which reveals that iOS 17 is now installed on 77% of all iOS devices.

After reports of deleted photos resurfacing years later following the installation of iOS 17.5, Apple released iOS 17.5.1 last week to address the issue. But what caused it in the first place? Thanks to some clever reverse engineering by researchers, we have a glimpse at the rare bug responsible.

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Earlier this week, Apple released iOS 17.5.1 to address a rare problem where deleted photos would reappear on a user’s device after installing iOS 17.5. In the release notes, Apple said this was caused by “database corruption.” The company has now confirmed a few additional details to 9to5Mac to further clarify the situation.

Apple has officially released iOS 17.5, bringing new games in News+ and cross-platform tracking detection to iPhone users. Apple’s latest Pride wallpaper is also featured. The update is available alongside iPadOS 17.5, macOS 14.5 Sonoma, and more.

I was recently lucky enough to go on a great vacation where we spent eight days traveling across Europe. One of the things I noticed was just how helpful my iPhone was throughout this experience. Yes, we all know that we can use maps to help us navigate new cities and geographies. But did you know that you could convert currencies directly in the Notes or iMessage apps? Or that you could create a shared library so everyone on the trip can see all the pictures you took. I found over 25 iOS features that are specifically built into iOS to enhance and make your travels easier.

Over the years, Apple has drastically improved its AutoFill feature for autofilling passwords, addresses, credit card information, and more. With iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma, Apple has made another significant enhancement: the ability to use AutoFill anywhere in the operating systems.

Update: Apple has released public beta versions of yesterday’s updates.

The iOS 17.5 beta train continues today with the third developer release. Apple is also testing macOS Sonoma 14.5, visionOS 1.2, watchOS 10.5, tvOS 17.5, and HomePod 17.5.

Apple released iOS 17.5 beta 1 to developers today, after a month-long gap with zero beta releases. While iOS 17.5 beta 1 is a relatively minor update, there are a few things worth pointing out. Head below for more.

Apple will soon release iOS 17.5 with build number 21F5048f, according to information shared on social media by a private account with a strong track record.

This account generally posts this information just before an update is released, so it’s possible iOS 17.5 beta 1 is released sometime this week. 9to5Mac has also seen growing evidence of iOS 17.5 in our Google Analytics data.

One of the big changes in iOS 17 for CarPlay users is the addition of SharePlay support for Apple Music. This feature allows anyone in the car to control and contribute to what’s playing via Apple Music, rather than just one person.

I took SharePlay for Apple Music in iOS 17 for a recent drive. My takeaway? This is a very, very fun feature.

Apple last week released iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1 to iPhone and iPad users. Although the updates don’t add any new features, they do bring two important security patches. For some unknown reason, Apple has now quietly released a revised build of iOS 17.4.1.

One of the new health features for iPhone and iPad with iOS 17 can help prevent eye strain for everyone, as well as lower the risk of myopia (nearsightedness) in kids. Here’s how to use iPhone Screen Distance and how it works.

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Apple’s Journal app debuted in December as part of iOS 17.2, with Apple touting a number of intelligent suggestions features. One of those features is now garnering attention on social media for being enabled by default: “Discoverable by Others.”

While the social media posts would lead you to believe this feature is sharing your name and location with everyone around you, that’s not actually the case. Here’s what you need to know.

Update: Apple released details on the security patches for iOS 17.4.1, iPadOS 17.4.1, visionOS 1.1.1, as well as macOS 14.4.1. They all patch an integer overflow vulnerability in two separate frameworks. Apple didn’t say whether it was being actively exploited. More details can be found here.

Last week, Apple released iOS 17.4.1 with rather vague release notes claiming to include important bug fixes and security patches. Two days later, the company has yet to add any specifics. This is unusual for Apple, which typically lists critical security patches hours after a release and suggests that the ones in iOS 17.4.1 could be significant or something else entirely…