Top iOS 17 Features You Should Try
Introduction
Apple’s iOS 17 was released to the public on September 18 2023 and has since matured through incremental updates. Although later versions of iOS have shipped since then, iOS 17 remains widely used on older devices and still powers many iPhone models in 2025. This update focused on making the iPhone feel more personal, communicative and helpful in everyday life. Major improvements include customizable Contact Posters for the Phone app, StandBy mode that turns an idle iPhone into a glanceable display, NameDrop for effortless sharing via AirDrop, a Journal app designed to encourage gratitude and wellbeing, and numerous quality-of-life enhancements across Messages, Safari, Maps, and Accessibility features. Apple describes it as a release that upgrades the communications experience across the Phone, FaceTime and Messages, makes sharing easier with AirDrop, and introduces new experiences with Journal and StandBy.
This article is designed for iPhone users who may be considering an upgrade or looking to get more from their current device. Let’s dive into the top iOS 17 features you should try.
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Why iOS 17 still matters in 2025
Even though Apple has rolled out subsequent versions of iOS, a large number of iPhone models in circulation cannot upgrade beyond iOS 17. Apple’s support documentation shows that the update requires iPhones with at least an A12 Bionic processor, meaning devices from the iPhone XS/XS Max and XR era remain compatible. For users around the world where upgrading hardware every year isn’t always feasible, learning how to get the most from iOS 17 ensures you can enjoy new features without buying a new phone. This guide uses absolute dates so that you can avoid confusion when reading about software updates many years after release.
Below you’ll find both headline features and subtle quality-of-life improvements. Each section explains what the feature does, why it matters, and how to enable or use it.
1. Contact Posters and Live Voicemail – personalize your incoming calls
What are Contact Posters?
In iOS 17, the Phone app introduces Contact Posters. Apple describes them as a new way for users to express themselves when someone calls: you can customize how you appear with photos, Memoji, typography and colors. The poster shows up full-screen on your recipient’s iPhone, bringing a completely new look to incoming calls. Third-party calling apps can also support Contact Posters.
This feature is perfect if you want to brand your business calls or make it clear who’s calling at a glance. For example, a small business owner might create a poster featuring their company logo and choose vibrant colors that match their brand. When clients receive calls, they see a professional visual identity rather than a generic phone number.
Step-by-step: Create and share a Contact Poster
- Open the Phone app and tap the Contacts tab.
- Select your own contact card (it usually appears at the top labeled “My Card”).
- Tap “Contact Photo & Poster.” You may be prompted to update your photo and poster.
- Choose a photo, Memoji or monogram. Use the camera to take a new photo or select one from your library.
- Customize the font and color by tapping the name field. Apple offers several font styles and color combinations.
- Tap “Done” to save the poster.
- When you call other iOS 17 users, they will see your customized poster instead of a standard contact card.
Live Voicemail: See who’s calling before you answer
Another big Phone-app feature is Live Voicemail. When someone leaves you a voicemail, your iPhone transcribes the message in real time and displays it on your screen so you can decide whether to pick up mid-message. Calls flagged as spam are automatically declined and don’t appear as Live Voicemail.
To enable Live Voicemail: open Settings > Phone > Live Voicemail and toggle the feature on. The transcription happens on device and remains private, so your audio is not sent to Apple’s servers. This feature is especially useful in regions where receiving unknown calls often leads to spam; with Live Voicemail, you can screen calls without having to answer.
2. FaceTime upgrades – audio/video messages and fun reactions
Audio and video messages
FaceTime in iOS 17 adds the ability to record audio or video messages when someone doesn’t pick up. Instead of just seeing a missed call, recipients can watch your recorded message later. This is handy for busy families; if your relative doesn’t answer, you can leave a quick video update that they can view when free.
How to send a FaceTime message:
- Open the FaceTime app and select a contact.
- If they don’t answer, tap “Record Video/Audio Message.”
- Record your message and tap “Send.” The recipient will receive a FaceTime notification with your recording.
Fun reactions and Apple TV integration
FaceTime calls get more expressive with built-in Reactions such as hearts, balloons and fireworks. Trigger these reactions with a simple hand gesture, and they appear in augmented reality around you and the call participants. Third-party video apps can also adopt these effects.
Additionally, you can hand off FaceTime calls to Apple TV via Continuity Camera. Begin a call on your iPhone and then hand it off to Apple TV to see family and friends on a big screen. With Center Stage keeping you in frame, it’s great for group calls in the living room.
3. Messages: Live Stickers, Check In and improved search
Live Stickers and the new stickers experience
The Messages app gets a major overhaul in iOS 17. Users can now create Live Stickers by lifting subjects from photos and add effects that bring them to life. All stickers (emoji, Memoji and third-party) are stored in a single drawer for easier access.
Real-world example: Imagine taking a photo of a friend at Lake Bosomtwe and turning that subject into a sticker. You can then drag the sticker into messages to celebrate your weekend trip.
To create a Live Sticker:
- Open the Photos app and pick a picture with a clear subject (a person, object or pet).
- Tap and hold the subject until a glowing outline appears.
- Choose “Add Sticker” from the pop-up menu.
- Go back to Messages, tap the “+” icon and select Stickers to see your new Live Sticker.
Check In: Safety-oriented messaging
Check In lets you notify a trusted contact that you have arrived safely at a destination. The recipient receives a notification when you reach the location. If you stop making progress toward the destination and don’t respond to prompts, your device will temporarily share your location, route and battery level. All shared information is end-to-end encrypted.
This feature is especially valuable in large cities where traffic can be unpredictable. You can set up a Check In before traveling so friends or family members know when you’ve reached your destination.
How to use Check In:
- Open Messages and start a conversation with your chosen contact.
- Tap the “+” button and select Check In.
- Specify your destination and preferred mode of travel.
- Send the Check In message; it will notify your contact when you arrive.
Improved search and catch-up arrow
Messages introduces a catch-up arrow to jump to where you left off in a conversation. Search is more powerful—start typing and add filters like “photos” or “links” to narrow results. When you send an audio message, it’s automatically transcribed so you can read it instantly.
4. AirDrop and NameDrop – share like a pro
AirDrop has long been a convenient way to share files between Apple devices. iOS 17 takes it further with NameDrop, which allows you to exchange contact information simply by bringing two iPhones or an iPhone and Apple Watch together. You can also start SharePlay sessions (for music, movies or games) with the same gesture.
How to use NameDrop
- Hold your iPhone near another iPhone (or Apple Watch) so the tops of the devices almost touch.
- Your contact card will appear on both screens.
- Choose which phone number or email you want to share.
- Tap “Share.” The other person can reciprocate or decline.
NameDrop is ideal for networking events or exchanging contact details with a new friend. Unlike sending a regular AirDrop file, you retain control over which details are shared.
AirDrop transfers can also continue over the internet if you leave Bluetooth range. So if you start sending photos to a friend and then walk away, the transfer won’t stop.
5. StandBy mode – turn your iPhone into a smart display
StandBy is one of the most eye-catching additions in iOS 17. When your iPhone is charging horizontally, it transforms into a full-screen display that shows time, photos, widgets or Live Activities. According to Apple, StandBy is designed to be viewed from a distance and is ideal for nightstands, kitchen counters or desks. It remembers your preferred layout when charging with MagSafe.
Enable StandBy mode
- Connect your iPhone to a charger and place it horizontally (landscape orientation). Using a MagSafe stand or any horizontal support works best.
- Lock the screen (press the Side button). The StandBy interface appears automatically.
- Swipe left or right to choose between clock styles, photos or widget stacks.
- Long-press on a widget to customize it; you can add calendar events, reminders or even control smart-home devices.
Real-world example: When studying late into the night, you can rest your iPhone on a charger in StandBy mode to display a digital clock and weather information. The Always-On display on iPhone 14 Pro ensures the time is always visible.
6. Journal app – capture reflections and improve wellbeing
The Journal app was introduced in a later update (iOS 17.2) and uses on-device machine learning to suggest journal entries based on your activities. Apple positions journaling as a way to practice gratitude and improve well-being. The app can provide personalized prompts from photos, locations, workouts and music to inspire your entry. Entries are end-to-end encrypted and you can lock the app to protect your privacy.
Getting started with Journal
- Open the Journal app (if you don’t see it, make sure your phone is updated to iOS 17.2 or later).
- Tap “New Entry.”
- Choose from Apple’s suggested topics or create your own. Suggestions might include writing about your morning run or reflecting on photos from a friend’s wedding.
- Add text, photos, voice notes or audio recordings.
- Tap the lock icon to secure the entry with Face ID.
While journaling can support mental health, Apple emphasizes that the assessments for anxiety and depression within the Health app are not diagnoses. Always consult a healthcare professional for medical advice.
7. Improved Autocorrect and Dictation
Typing has been refined in iOS 17. Apple says the new autocorrect uses a transformer language model that improves accuracy and personalizes suggestions. Sentence-level corrections can fix grammatical mistakes and predictive text appears inline so you can finish sentences with a tap. Dictation also leverages a new speech-recognition model for better accuracy.
Practical tip: When writing messages in languages other than English, you can train autocorrect by repeatedly rejecting incorrect suggestions. Over time the model learns your vocabulary.
How to turn on dictation
- Go to Settings > General > Keyboard.
- Toggle “Enable Dictation.”
- To dictate, tap the microphone icon on the keyboard and start speaking.
- Tap the same icon or “Done” when finished. Apple’s improved speech model makes dictation more reliable even in noisy environments.
8. Safari and privacy upgrades
Apple focuses heavily on privacy, and iOS 17 introduces several enhancements:
- Profiles let you separate work and personal browsing. Each profile can have its own tab groups, history and cookies, and you can enable specific extensions per profile.
- Private Browsing protection: websites that want to track you are blocked, tracking IDs in links are removed, and private tabs require Face ID to open.
- Shared passwords and passkeys allow you to create groups of passwords that are synced via iCloud Keychain and shared with trusted contacts.
- Link-tracking protection automatically removes tracking parameters from links when browsing in Private mode or in Mail and Messages.
Listen to web pages
An overlooked but powerful feature is Safari’s ability to read entire pages aloud. On long articles, tap the Aa icon in the address bar and choose “Listen to Page.” This is especially useful for visually-impaired users or for multi-tasking during cooking or exercise.
Offload Safari data with Profiles
To set up a Safari profile, open Settings > Safari > Profiles and create a new profile. Assign it a name (e.g., “Work” or “School”), choose a color and icon, and customize which extensions should be active in that context. Switching profiles is as easy as tapping the tab overview and selecting a profile.
9. Health app and Screen Distance – caring for body and mind
The Health app in iOS 17 introduces tools for mental health and eye care:
- Users can log and label their mood to see how lifestyle factors correlate with emotional states.
- The app provides standardized anxiety and depression assessments; Apple emphasizes that these are not diagnoses.
- You can receive reminders to log medications if you forget.
- A Screen Distance feature warns you if you hold your device too close to your face, helping reduce myopia risk and eye strain.
Example: Using Screen Distance
- Go to Settings > Screen Time > Screen Distance and toggle it on.
- When your face is closer than 30 centimetres (about 12 inches) for an extended period, your iPhone will ask you to move it farther away.
- This gentle reminder encourages healthier habits, particularly for children who may develop eye strain from prolonged close-up viewing.
10. Accessibility features – Personal Voice and Assistive Access
Apple continues its commitment to accessibility with several innovations:
- Personal Voice uses machine learning to let users generate a synthetic version of their voice for text-to-speech. This is invaluable for people at risk of losing their voice due to illness.
- Point and Speak reads text on physical objects such as household appliance panels, helping visually-impaired users interact with devices.
- Assistive Access simplifies the user interface for individuals with cognitive disabilities.
To create a Personal Voice, navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Personal Voice and follow the instructions to record phrases. The on-device model then generates your synthetic voice for use with Live Speech or other accessibility features.
11. Other notable improvements
iOS 17 includes many smaller enhancements worth mentioning:
- Offline Apple Maps: Download regions for offline navigation. This is ideal when traveling in areas with limited connectivity or cross-border trips.
- Collaborative Apple Music playlists: Friends can jointly add songs to a shared playlist; cross-fading between songs and animated album art also arrive.
- Notes linking and PDF editing: You can create links between notes and annotate PDFs directly inside the Notes app.
- Reminders improvements: Grocery lists automatically categorize items and tasks can be organized in columns.
- Camera and Photos: The Camera app adds a horizon level and a Lock White Balance option for video. Photos can recognize cats and dogs and even search for specific objects in videos.
- Multiple timers: The Clock app now supports simultaneous timers, useful when cooking multiple dishes.
- Shared AirTags: You can share an AirTag with up to five people so that family members can see the item’s location.
12. Tips for upgrading to iOS 17 in 2025
If your device still runs iOS 16 or an earlier version, upgrading to iOS 17 is free and straightforward. Before you start:
- Check compatibility: Ensure your iPhone has an A12 Bionic processor or later. Older devices such as the iPhone X will not support iOS 17.
- Back up your data via iCloud or a computer. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup and tap “Back Up Now.” Alternatively, connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC and back up using Finder or iTunes.
- Connect to Wi-Fi and plug in your charger.
- Navigate to Settings > General > Software Update. Tap “Download and Install.” Follow the prompts and wait for the installation to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which devices support iOS 17?
How do I turn on StandBy mode?
Can NameDrop share my entire contact card?
Is the Journal app available at launch?
How does Live Voicemail protect privacy?
Are the mental-health assessments in the Health app reliable?
What if I live outside the European Union?
Will iOS 17 slow down my older iPhone?
Does iOS 17 support wireless charging improvements?
Conclusion
iOS 17 represents a thoughtful refinement of the iPhone experience. From personalized Contact Posters and real-time Live Voicemail to safety-oriented features like Check In and quality-of-life additions such as StandBy mode, it transforms how you communicate and interact with your device. The update also underscores Apple’s focus on privacy and accessibility, with features like Personal Voice and improved Private Browsing ensuring your data stays yours. While later versions of iOS may introduce even more innovations, iOS 17 remains a substantial update worth exploring—especially for users who haven’t upgraded hardware recently.
Author: Wiredu Fred – Senior Technology Writer at Freditech. With over a decade of experience testing Apple devices and writing actionable guides. Fred combines practical know-how with in-depth research to help readers get the most from their tech.