Apple has already released the beta version for developers of iOS 17, but contrary to what happened in launches of similar versions, it is freely available, and it is not necessary to be an application developer or have paid the usual fee of 99 US dollars. .
On this occasion, to test the beta version of iOS 17 aimed at developers, it is enough to have been enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program, which allows testing public beta versions of iOS, the step that follows the version for developers and that reach a larger number of users. This program is accessible to any iPhone user who has an iCloud account and registers through the following official page: https://beta.apple.com/sp/betaprogram.
What’s new in iOS 17
The novelties in this important version number 17 of iOS whose final release is scheduled for September of this year are multiple. Broadly speaking, it can be said that they are aimed at improving the user experience, particularly with communication tools such as call applications, mail and messages.
For example, the phone calls app has been revamped through the Contact Posters function, which allows you to customize your appearance during an incoming voice call, making it appear on the screen of iPhone users who make it. On the other hand, the voicemail has been enhanced with artificial intelligence to transcribe in real time the messages that arrive through this channel, giving the user the opportunity to receive the call while looking at the texts. Live Voicemail is the new iOS 17 feature tasked with this task.
Another novelty of iOS 17 also related to artificial intelligence is the improvement made to the text autocorrect function based on the implementation of a model with transformer architecture in iOS word processing. With this enhancement, users will receive much more accurate text predictions, including full sentence recommendations. The dictation function has also benefited from artificial intelligence techniques, improving its processing capacity of voice inputs.
Finally, one cannot fail to mention the iOS 17 Stand By function, designed for the moments when the iPhone is being charged. With Stand By the charging moments of the iPhone will never be wasted again, since with the simple fact of putting it on its side and with the help of some support, it will show useful information visible on the full screen. For example, clock icons, photos, or Smart Stack widgets.
How to get the iOS 17 beta running on your iPhone
The iOS 17 beta for developers can be downloaded and installed on compatible terminals as if it were another update to the current iOS system, that is, iOS 16.5.
To have this version, just go to Configuration> General> Software update from the iPhone interface. Then, select Beta Versions and choose from those that are available iOS 17 Developer Beta. Go back to the previous screen and tap on Install later, ie. when the software is downloaded to the device.
You just have to take into account that, as it happens with all software in beta versions, it is possible to find incompatibilities with some applications and execution errors in the same operating system. Therefore, it is not recommended to install it on a computer intended for daily use.
iPhone models compatible with iOS 17
iOS 17 will be able to run on the iPhone XS and later models, including the iPhone XR.