Apple Releases First Public Betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

[MacRumors]

Apple today seeded the first betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to public beta testers, opening up the new software to the general public for the first time since the Worldwide Developers Conference in June. Developers have had three betas so far, and the first public beta offers the same content as the third developer beta.

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Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates by opening up the Settings app, going to General, tapping on the Software Update section and toggling on the iOS 17 Public Beta option.

iOS 17 adds a new StandBy option for the iPhone, allowing it to serve as an information hub when it is in a horizontal position and connected to a charger. StandBy mode displays the time, Live Activities, incoming notifications, and tons of widgets.

Speaking of widgets, widgets you use on the Lock Screen and Home Screen are interactive, so you can do things like control a smart light or check off a Reminder without opening an app. Autocorrect is smarter than before, and it's easier to correct mistakes with a quick tap.

AirDrop has a new NameDrop feature for quickly sharing contact information with a person nearby, and the Phone app has customizable Contact Posters that let you choose what people see when you call them.

Live Voicemail shows the voicemail that someone is leaving right on your Lock Screen so you can pick up if it's important, and the Messages app has a refined look and a Check-In feature that's meant to help you get to your destination safely.

FaceTime supports video messages so you can leave a video voicemail if someone misses a call, plus you can use it on the Apple TV. Safari has a locked private browsing window and a password sharing feature, and better tracking prevention. The Maps app now works offline, the Photos app can recognize your pets, and Visual Look Up works with food, symbols, videos, and more.

There's a new mood tracking feature available in the Health app, and later this year, Apple also plans to add a journaling app.

For a complete overview of all of the new features in iOS 17, we have a dedicated iOS 17 roundup. iPadOS 17 also has some iPad-only features like a revamped Lock Screen, with details available in our separate iPadOS 17 roundup.

Article Link: Apple Releases First Public Betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

 

[fenderbass146]

Been using Developer beta on all my main devices (macbook m1 pro, ipad pro m1, and iphone 14 pro) and there are no show stopping issues I have noticed in my use. Biggest issue is Safari web apps have been flakey and I went back to using Web Catalog and Edge apps in the meantime.

Pretty impressed with this update so far and the extended monitor support on the ipad is pretty impressive with Stage manager.

 

[Neil Harrison]

And webpage goes down

 

[hovscorpion12]

Umm. That was earlier than I expected. Was expecting to drop next week.

 

[Originalblez]

And thus starts my annual countdown to giving in to the impulse to put beta versions on all my devices despite logic saying wait. I wonder if can make it a whole week.

 

[hovscorpion12]

imagine the impulse of waiting the whole summer and waiting for official release

 

[Minato1990]

And thus starts my annual countdown to giving in to the impulse to put beta versions on all my devices despite logic saying wait. I wonder if can make it a whole week.

Man I really want to, but I’m going to Japan for two weeks next week. I simply cannot afford to have my phone or my watch go mess up over there

 

[phill85]

Very nice!👍

 

[phill85]

Man I really want to, but I’m going to Japan for two weeks next week. I simply cannot afford to have my phone or my watch go mess up over there

It’s actually great. Ive taken my phone to cancun and multiple roadtrips, including tomorrow. 2 more trips this summer, one small one big. This isnt even on my radar as a possible issue

 

[Apple Fan 2008]

Time to update my phone! I'm already running the developer Beta.

 

[JetBlack7]

imagine the impulse of waiting the whole summer and waiting for official release

That's me.

 

[elopedthought]

And thus starts my annual countdown to giving in to the impulse to put beta versions on all my devices despite logic saying wait. I wonder if can make it a whole week.

I gave in early this year and started off with the dev beta 1 haha
Hasn‘t been too bad (for a beta) since beta 2 honestly.

 

[Neil Harrison]

Just realised I can switch! To ios17 betas…update downloading

 

[Criss P.]

Man I really want to, but I’m going to Japan for two weeks next week. I simply cannot afford to have my phone or my watch go mess up over there

Yes, same here, going on a trip and don't want to have problems with banking and airlines/trip apps; i think i will wait at least, until Public Beta 3.

 

[jonnysods]

Maybe I'll wait for the 2nd Public Beta before putting it on my beloved 13 Mini. She has a hard enough time with battery life so maybe the second beta could be the kick off for me.

 

[briankeith513]

And webpage goes down

we no longer have to manually download the ios17 profile from the website. It's already in the software update settings sections under "Beta updates"

 

[Populus]

With how smooth the early betas are behaving (at least that’s what the vast majority is claiming), one could think that this indeed is a refinement over iOS 16.

Let’s hope it finally fixes most iOS 16 bugs that could be remaining on the code and they focus on efficiency to improve battery life. That way iOS 17 could become one of the most stable releases since iOS 12.

 

[romaguyntx]

Ugh I wanna download so bad but nervous! I read some guys recent post saying there were battery life issues?! Y’all let me know how it’s going!!!

 

[SactoGuy18]

Not a chance I'm using it. I'll let other testers "take the arrow."

 

[iPhoneFan5349]

imagine the impulse of waiting the whole summer and waiting for official release

Impulse for what? Standby? Cmon now.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Not a chance I'm using it. I'll let other testers "take the arrow."

Same. I quit running betas after ios14.

 

[Realityck]

Time to update my phone! I'm already running the developer Beta.

Should be the same beta 3 build from yesterday

• iOS 17 beta 3 (21A5277j) - July 11, 2023
• iPadOS 17 beta 3 (21A5277j) - July 11, 2023
• macOS 14 beta 3 (23A5286i) - July 11, 2023
• tvOS 17 beta 3 (21J5303h) = July 11, 2023

 

[davidg4781]

I'm tempted to download this. I've done some PBs in the past. I wanted to be that hero that found bugs and contributed to the greater good.

But either everyone else already found them or Apple ignored my issues.

I'm curious, though... does Apple collect data from my iPhone without me sending in feedback reports? Like will they see my iPhone 11 Pro is burning through battery or apps are having issues?

 

[Kissmo1980]

Same. I quit running betas after ios14

Same here. It’s not the bugs - the heat and battery life & health that are not worth sacrificing.

However my fingers are itching 😂 but no… not worth it - In my case.

 

[imnotthewalrus]

And thus starts my annual countdown to giving in to the impulse to put beta versions on all my devices despite logic saying wait. I wonder if can make it a whole week.

I've been on the Developer beta for a while. I use >90% Apple software, so let that be known. That said, the Beta has been great for me...