The iOS 17. 2 update is officially here and you can now download it to your iPhone. But the question is: what new features will you be able to enjoy now that the latest edition is available?
You probably already know that the long-awaited Journal app, which allows you to introspectively reflect on photos, videos, and other content through inspirational messages, will soon be available on iOS 17. 2. But let’s move on to the other benefits of the upgrade.
Aside from the Journal app, here are the most eye-catching features coming to your iPhone (h/t MacRumors).
This iOS 17. 2 feature is only available to iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max users. Leveraging its complex camera systems, iOS 17. 2 now allows you to record spatial videos (captures with intensity and immersion) that are more productive revived with Apple Vision Pro.
All you want to do is open the Camera app, tap Video, rotate your iPhone 15 Pro (or iPhone 15 Pro Max) to landscape mode, tap the spatial video icon, and tap Save.
On top of that, Apple has added a new “AirPlay Receiver” option in the settings that allows you to stream and share content from Apple Vision Pro to iPhone.
Speaking of cameras, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max now have faster focus speed when you’re taking zoomed-in photos.
With iOS 17. 2, under “Sounds & Hatatis,” you can now override the default alert sound for notifications (note that this is new for text, calendar, and mail alerts).
You can now touch and hold anyone in the Messages app to reply with a sticker.
Keep in mind that, before iOS 17.2, you could drag a sticker to a chat bubble, but this route is much faster. It’s also worth noting that Apple is adding a “Sensitive Content Warning” to Stickers, so if you decide to send a nude, the recipient will get a warning. (This feature is also expanding to explicit Contact Posters, blurring sensitive content before others view them.)
Apple has also added a new “catch up” arrow in Messages, which allows you to compress unread and lost messages into a very active thread.
If you’re a high-profile figure who faces extraordinary threats (e.g., a journalist or a government official), you can use iMessage Contact Key Verification to make sure your texts go to the intended, targeted person.
In iOS 17.1, users had the option to “favorite” tracks that they love. Now, Apple is taking it one step further; “favorited” songs can now be added to your Music Library. This is on by default, but you can always toggle it off in the Settings app.
Another interesting update is the new Focus Filter for Apple Music. Let’s say, for example, you want someone to use your iPhone to listen to music. The Focus Filter ensures that their listening activity doesn’t affect your future recommendations.
In the Settings app, “Messages” has been renamed “Messages in iCloud” and provides data on how much they occupy, the time they were last synced, and the total number of messages synced.
The action button gives you several presets, adding silent mode, flashlight, voice memo, and magnifying glass. The action button now has a new translation mode. It’s self-explanatory, but tapping it allows you to have a verbal exchange with someone in some other language.
In the Apple TV app, in the Store section, videos and TV screens are now in a single tab. Speaking of Apple TV, you can no longer buy videos and TV screens in the iTunes app. You’ll be prompted to use the Apple TV app instead.
If someone tries to call you with a blocked FaceTime user, iOS 17.2 will issue a warning so you are not blindsided by the call.
As a side note, a new feature exclusive to the Messages app for FaceTime settings is now also available. With the touch poster, you can turn off call and photo sharing. Or, if you want, you can set “Always”. Ask” and “Contacts Only. “
Since we’re talking about touch signs, in iOS 17. 2, you can now use rainbow text for your name.
iOS 17. 2 offers a greater lunar experience with an interactive lunar calendar. Also, you can get more data on rain, snow, and more within 10 days. Apple has also added a dynamic wind map that features animations and patterns for the next 24 hours.
Speaking of the precipitation and wind, the Weather app has new widgets: Details, Sunrise/Sunset, and Daily Forecast. The last two are self-explanatory, but the former gives you information about UV index, chance of rain/snow, wind velocity, air quality, and more.
On Apple Books, the Cupertino-based tech has added a new “Fast Fade” page-turning feature.
iOS 17. 2 Memojis now allows you to customize your character’s arms, shoulders, torso, and waist.
This navigation tool allows you to scroll horizontally through app categories, adding Health & Fitness, Entertainment, and more.
Everyone’s favorite iDevice virtual assistant can now take advantage of the Health app’s knowledge, allowing you to ask questions like “What’s my center’s fee?”and “How many steps did I take today?”
And that’s not all, in the Maps app, Siri can now give an ETA and offer altitude data.
You can now use the Contact Share gesture, which involves putting two iPhones together, to share airline tickets, movie passes, and other gifts from the supported Wallet app.
Under “General” in the Settings app, Apple changed the name from “Coverage” to “AppleCare. “
As we previously reported, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models now have the Qi2 charging standard (the iPhone 15 lineup already has Qi2).
Other new features coming to iOS 17. 2 include the ability to turn off online predictions (if it bothers you) and a “Local Awareness” option for emergency alerts that takes into account your approximate location.
In addition, iOS 17. 2 fixes a wireless charging bug that affected some iPhones.
Ready to update your iPhone? Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Kimberly Gedeon is a tech explorer who likes to delve into the most popular devices, from the newest iPhones to the most immersive VR headsets. He’s drawn to weird, cutting-edge technologies, whether it’s a 3D laptop, a gaming rig that can be turned into a briefcase, or smart glasses that can capture video. Her career as a journalist began a decade ago at MadameNoire, where she covered generation and business before landing as a technical editor at Laptop Mag in 2020.