Apple has released the sixth public beta for iOS 17, iPadOS 17, tvOS 17, and watchOS 10.
Apple’s upcoming operating systems will bring a host of new features that will enhance the user experience in various apps. People interested in downloading the latest operating systems can do so through the Apple Beta Software Program.
The sixth public beta versions of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 have a build number of 21A5326a. Because macOS Sonoma won’t be released until later in the fall, there will be no new public beta this week.
The sixth public beta versions of tvOS 17 and HomePod software have a build number of 21J5353a, while the sixth public beta version number of watchOS 10 is 21R5355a.
Safari gives users additional privacy features, Apple Notes offers improved PDF support, iMessage enables location sharing, Freeform improves collaboration capabilities, and countless other new and improved features await users.
New features in iOS 17
Telephone
- Personalize your phone calls: Customize what people see when you call with contact posters.
- Live Voicemail: Send a call to voicemail and view a live transcript of the message.
To inform
- All your iMessage apps in one place: A new plus button lets you view all the things you send the most.
- Check in: Automatically alert your friend or family member when you arrive at your destination.
- Stay with and swipe to reply: A new catch-up arrow lets you jump to the first message you haven’t seen in a conversation.
- Search filters: Find the message you’re looking for faster by combining search filters.
- Share and view locations: Share your location or request a friend’s location using the plus button.
- Transcription of audio messages: Audio messages are now transcribed so you can read them right away and listen to them later.
- Stickers: Access all your Live Stickers, emoji, Memoji and other sticker packs in one place.
FaceTime
- Leave a message: Record a video or audio message when someone misses your FaceTime call.
- React with your hands: Add a reaction that fills the camera frame with fun 3D augmented reality effects.
- FaceTime on Apple TV: Use your iPhone as a camera and make calls directly from the FaceTime app on Apple TV.
AirDrop
- Exchange numbers with NameDrop: Hold your iPhone near someone else’s iPhone or Apple Watch to use NameDrop. To start the AirDrop transfer, bring your phones close together.
Magazine (available later this year)
- A new app for writing and memorizing: A new approach to enjoying life’s experiences and protecting your precious memories.
- Personalized for you: Based on your photos, music, workouts, and other factors, your iPhone generates tailored recommendations for memorable moments to remember and document.
Keyboard
- More accurate autocorrect: As you type, autocorrect provides enhanced support for a smoother experience.
- Predictions online as you type: Inline predictions are displayed as you type, improving typing speed and efficiency.
Safari and passwords
- Create a profile: Keep different browsing experiences for categories like work and personal by using different profiles in Safari.
- Improved private browsing: Private Browsing now locks your Private Browsing windows when not in use with Face ID.
- Receive autofill verification codes in Mail: One-time verification codes you receive in Mail are automatically filled in.
Stand-by
Music
- Play music together: Now SharePlay makes it easier for everyone to control music in the car.
- Collaborate on playlists: Invite friends to join your playlist so everyone can add, reorder, and delete songs.
AirPods
- Adaptive audio: The introduction of an all-new listening mode for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) dynamically combines transparency and active noise cancellation, adjusting audio to customize the noise cancellation experience.
Cards
- Download maps to use offline: Save an area of a map to your iPhone and explore it while offline.
- Improved routing for electric vehicles: View real-time availability of charging stations along your route.
The iOS 17 release will be compatible with the iPhone Xs and later, as well as the iPhone SE (2nd generation).
New features in iPadOS 17
Lock screen
- Personalize your lock screen with beautiful wallpapers.
- An all new motion effect for Live Photos makes your lock screen more dynamic.
- Use Live Activities to stay up to date with what’s happening in real time right from your lock screen.
- Add your favorite widgets to the lock screen for quick access to information.
Interactive Widgets
- Easily play music, dim the lights, and perform other actions right from a widget.
Health
- The Health app comes to iPad with a design optimized for the larger screen.
- The latest mental health advancements can help you reflect on your emotional well-being and access valuable insights about your state of mind.
PDFs and notes
- With Enhanced Auto-Complete, you can safely use your saved Contacts information to fill out a PDF or scanned document faster.
- Read and annotate a PDF right in your note.
- Link related notes, such as an itinerary and a list of recommended restaurants.
- Collaborate on PDFs with real-time updates.
Free form
- Use new drawing tools such as a watercolor brush, calligraphy pen, highlighter, variable-width pen, and ruler as you brainstorm.
- See what your employees are working on with Follow along.
spotlight
- When you search for an app, Spotlight intelligently provides you with app shortcuts to your next action within the Top Hit.
AirPlay
- Intelligence on the device learns your AirPlay preferences over time.
- AirPlay will be available in supporting hotel rooms later this year.
The iPads on which iPadOS 17 can be downloaded include iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation and later), iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later), iPad (6th generation and later) and the iPad mini (5th generation and later).
What’s new with watchOS 10
Apple has rethought the way Apple Watch works for watchOS 10. Some apps make better use of larger screens, a new widget view is accessible under each active watch face, and the app list is better formatted.
tvOS 17 and HomePod updates
The Control Center in tvOS 17 is more prominent, FaceTime is now on Apple TV, plus there are new screensavers and a Find My Remote option. HomePods are also getting the ability to drop the “Hey” from the wake command for Siri.
How to install the public betas
- Go to beta.apple.com
- Sign in with your Apple ID. Note: You don’t have to use the same Apple ID you use to sign in on your phone, but it can make things easier
- On your iPhone, go to Institutions > General > Software update
- It may take a while, but below Automatic updates a new beta update option appears
- In this menu you can choose between off and the iOS Public Beta
- If you used a different Apple ID to sign up for the beta program, you can sign in here with that secondary ID
- Return to the Software Update page. It refreshes automatically and shows any available beta updates
After you sign up for public betas on Apple’s website, go to the Settings app of each product you want to download the public beta for. Once the public beta option is selected, you will receive each beta update as if it were a regular update in the Settings app.