A little over two months since it released iOS 17.4 , Apple has now made iOS 17.5 available to iPhone and iPad users. It’s widely reported that this could be Apple’s last major iOS 17 update before it launches the next version — iOS 18 — with a slew of AI-powered features.
Apple is expected to introduce the next generation iOS during its annual event, the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) scheduled to be held on June 10. In addition to the latest iOS 17 update, Apple has also announced newer versions for the Watch series, Apple TV, HomePods and their laptop and desktop systems.
We look at some of the highlights of the latest version and how you can use them in your day to day tasks.
Security Features
Apple has not included security features on its mobile operating systems for quite a while and has gone out of its way to include a slew of security features in their latest update.
Tracking Notifications
iOS 17.5 includes some new security updates and enhancements to some existing capabilities. One such feature is the extension of the anti-stalking feature to include support for Google’s “Find My Device” network.
What this means is that users who have iOS 17.5 installed on their iPhones can now get an alert if a compatible Bluetooth device is following it around. According to Apple’s release notes, the Cross-Platform Tracking Detection brings cross-platform tracking capabilities and can work irrespective of the mobile operating system being used to track any individual.
Apple and Google have worked together to build a cross-platform solution to alert users who are being tracked without their knowledge. iOS 17.5 users will now get a notification alerting them of a third-party tracker near them.
Users will also be able to disable this tracking device to prevent it from sharing its location with the owner.
Anti-AirTag Tracking Feature
Another security upgrade introduced with the latest version is the anti AirTag tracking feature. While feedback around Apple’s AirTag has been generally positive, there have been a concerning number of instances where the ability to find items with an AirTag attached has been misused to track people’s whereabouts without their knowledge.
This has led to severe repercussions in some circumstances, and Apple is taking steps to prevent such illegal and abusive use of its tech that was intended for very different purposes.
With its latest iOS update, the Cupertino company has partnered with Google and others to introduce capabilities that allow iPhone users to identify unwarranted trackers who use AirTags and other similar devices.
Repair State
If you’ve ever had to send in your iPhone for a repair, you would have been asked to turn off the “Find My Device” option. This was another way for the person across the counter to verify whether the individual requesting the repair owns the phone.
With the latest update, you will no longer be required to turn off the “Find My” option because Apple can now use this feature even when your device is turned off. This is because the new “Repair State” mode keeps “Find My” running in the background and your device will still be trackable using the “Find My” app for the duration of its repair.
When you put your iPhone in the “Repair State,” your “Find My” will now display a “Ready for Repair” notification.
Get News Offline
If you have an Apple News Plus subscription, you can get access to the latest news and publications even when you’re offline — through the latest “offline mode.” To activate this, head to Settings >> News and click on the toggle button that says “Automatic Downloads.”
Once activated along with your paid subscription, the app downloads the latest news, audio stories and even puzzles to your device and gives you access even when you’re without an internet connection.
You can also choose what you want your app to download by clicking on the “Download Options” button right below the “Automatic Downloads” toggle. You can prevent the app from storing unnecessary items on your device and save space.
Apple has also introduced a new game — Quartiles — for Apple News Plus subscribers with the iOS 17.5 update. The new game will be available for subscribers in the United States and Canada and will exist alongside other games like daily crossword and crossword mini.
Apple has integrated Game Center with these games, which means you can see leaderboards for daily scores.
Other minor changes with the latest version brings design changes, including choosing dynamic colors for the Podcasts widget, a new visually appealing “Reading Goal” icon in the Apple Books app, and a new logo for the “Passkeys Access and Web Browsers” under “Privacy & Security.”
Which Devices Can Update to iOS 17.5?
The iOS 17.5 update is available on the following devices:
- iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
- iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
- iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
- iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
- iPhone SE (2nd gen) and iPhone SE (3rd gen)
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, and 15 Pro Max
