Apple Rolls Out Public Beta Of IOS 17, Offering Users Early Access To New Features

Apple Inc. has rolled out the first public beta of iOS 17 for eligible iPhones, allowing users to give the upcoming iOS update a spin before the final version is released. OMAR MARQUES/GETTY IMAGES  
Apple Inc. has rolled out the first public beta of iOS 17 for eligible iPhones, allowing users to give the upcoming iOS update a spin before the final version is released. OMAR MARQUES/GETTY IMAGES  


By Rounak Jain

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has rolled out the first public beta of iOS 17 for eligible iPhones, allowing users to give the upcoming iOS update a spin before the final version is released. The final release of iOS 17 is scheduled for September alongside the iPhone 15 series, but you can experience it right now.

Apple has been testing the iOS 17 update for a few weeks now with developer betas, and now it has rolled out the first public betas. Public betas are relatively more stable than developer betas, but bugs might still be present, so proceed with caution.

Apple has been testing the iOS 17 update for a few weeks now with developer betas, and now it has rolled out the first public betas. PAVLO GONCHAR/GETTY IMAGES  

Apart from iOS 17, Apple has also rolled out public betas of macOS Sonoma, watchOS, and iPadOS.

In addition to the peppy AirDrop animations and fast haptic touch that we saw in iOS 17 developer beta 2, the first public beta of iOS 17 brings a couple of new features to the table.

A useful addition is the ability to sort items in the storage list by name, size, and last used date, making it easier to find large-sized and unused or less-used items and delete them to free up space.

Other features of iOS 17 include StandBy mode, interactive widgets, and an option to create animated stickers from Live Photos. Apple has also updated Messages and Phone apps, and improved FaceTime.

Before you proceed, we recommend backing up your iPhone.

  • Sign in with your Apple ID at beta.apple.com.
  • Open the Settings app on your iPhone – you will need to be on at least iOS 16.4 update.
  • Now go to General -> Software Update.
  • Tap on the Beta Updates button and choose iOS 17 Public Beta.

The beta update will appear in a short while – download and install it when it does.

Produced in association with Benzinga

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