ios 17 hidden featuresis here, and with it comes a slew of new features to get excited about. But look a little deeper, and you’ll find some hidden gems that take your iPhone experience to the next level. Let’s explore some of the best ios 17 hidden features.
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Introduction
Each new version of ios 17 hidden features brings visual updates and obvious additions like new default apps. But often, it’s the subtle, less flashy features that make the most difference in how you use your iPhone daily.
iOS 17 continues this tradition with plenty of hidden features that you’ll want to try out once you upgrade. From clever touches like offline Maps and Live Text extraction to major upgrades like Focus modes and the new Safari, iOS 17 has something extra to offer all iPhone users.
In this guide, we’ll highlight some of our favorite hidden gems to help you get the most out of iOS 17. Time to upgrade your iPhone know-how.
1. Advanced Search in Messages
The Messages app now lets you easily find specific photos, links, locations, and other content with a new advanced search option.
To use it, open the Messages app and swipe down to reveal the search bar at the top. Tap the search bar and select “Photos,” “Links,” “Locations,” or “Videos” to view relevant results.
This search functionality makes it so much easier to find that recipe your friend sent last week or those vacation photos from last summer buried in your message history.
2. Offline Maps
New in iOS 17, you can now download offline maps to navigate when you don’t have an internet connection. This is perfect for international travel or anywhere you expect to lose service.
To set it up, open the Maps app and tap on the search bar at the top. Scroll down and select “Offline Maps.” You can then download the map of any city or country to access offline.
With offline Maps, you can still search for destinations, get directions, locate yourself on the map, and use walking directions without WiFi or cell service.
3. Live Text and Visual Look Up
iOS 17 comes with new Live Text and Visual Look Up features that let you extract text, translate languages, and learn more about objects within photos.
In the Photos app or Camera, tap on any image with text, like a poster or street sign. A box will appear allowing you to highlight, copy, and translate the text. You can also lookup identified objects like plants, landmarks, pets, and more.
Live Text works on the fly to scan text without an internet connection. The Visual Look Up tool provides handy supplemental info powered by online image recognition.
4. Focus Mode
Focus is a new mode in iOS 17 that cuts down on digital distractions. You can customize Focus with allowed apps and contacts, while blocking or silencing everything else.
To configure it, go to Settings > Focus. Select a premade Focus like “Work,” “Gaming,” or “Mindfulness” to get started. You can then fine-tune these by adding allowed apps and people.
To activate your customized Focus, swipe into Control Center from the top right corner. Tap Focus and select the mode you want. Your apps and notifications will dim for distraction-free focus.
5. Quick Note
Jot notes down faster than ever with the new Quick Note feature in iOS 17. Swipe up from the bottom right corner of the screen to bring up an overlay notepad.
You can use Quick Note to scribble down thoughts, add links, insert screenshots, create checklists, and more. Then swipe Quick Note offscreen when you’re finished.
Your Quick Note will be saved and synced across your other Apple devices. Tap on the note in Notes app to expand it and add more details.
6. New Safari Features
The Safari browser gets a major upgrade in iOS 17. You can now easily switch between open tabs by swiping across the address bar. Safari also lets you access tab groups to organize tabs and see a sidebar preview of open tabs.
For added privacy, tap the “AA” icon in the search bar to enable Private Relay. This hides your web activity from trackers and disguises your IP address.
Safari also can now pull up web translations, create web snippets to save snippets of pages, and supports website pull to refresh.
7. Interactive Widgets
The widgets on your iPhone’s home screen are now interactive in iOS 17. Instead of just displaying information, you can use widgets as shortcuts to apps.
For example, tap the Calendar widget to create a new event or the Maps widget to start turn-by-turn directions. The Photos widget also lets you scroll through and open recent pictures.
Check out the widgets for Messages, News, Mail, Smart Stack, and more to discover all the handy quick actions available right on your home screen now.
8. New Accessibility Features
Apple added several impressive accessibility features in iOS 17 that make iPhone usage easier for all. These include:
- Door Detection: Helps blind and low vision users locate doors and read signs and symbols around them using Lidar scanning and image recognition.
- Live Captions: Transcribes audio from calls, video chats, social media videos, and more in real time.
- Buddy Controller: Lets caregivers manage an iPhone for users who need assistance through their own device.
These join iOS 17’s other accessibility options like screen readers, magnification, reached action, and more. Enable these tools in Settings > Accessibility.
9. Wallet and Apple Pay Updates
The Wallet app introduces helpful new capabilities in iOS 17. You can now securely store ID cards like your driver’s license in Wallet, which will soon enable airport security checkpoints.
Wallet also expands support for home keys, hotel keys, office keys, and car keys, allowing you to unlock doors and cars right from your iPhone.
For Apple Pay, you can now manage and send money to friends through the Wallet app using the new Apple Pay Later service. And Apple Pay adds support for more websites and apps than ever for quick checkout.
10. Visual Look Around in Maps
Get a street-level view of destinations in the updated Maps app. The new Visual Look Around feature is like Google Street View, with interactive 3D photos you can zoom and pan through.
To try it, open Maps and tap on the binoculars icon when viewing a place. This enters Visual Look Around mode for a 360 perspective on the area, with smooth transitions as you explore.
Visual Look Around makes it easy to quickly preview landmarks, businesses, neighborhoods, and more before visiting in person. It rolls out in iOS 17 starting with selected cities.
Conclusion
With all these new hidden features, iOS 17 takes the iPhone to new heights. From improving everyday apps like Messages, Maps, and Safari to introducing clever touches like Quick Note and Visual Look Up, there’s a lot to discover after upgrading.
Focus modes provide a smarter solution to digital distractions, while the expanded tools in Wallet, Accessibility, and across the system elevate the iOS experience. Overall, iOS 17’s depth of refinements definitely makes it an update worth getting.
Time to start exploring and take advantage of all the ways iOS 17 can enhance how you use your iPhone. Which new hidden feature will you try first? Let us know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is iOS 17?
A: iOS 17 is the latest version of Apple’s iOS mobile operating system that runs on iPhones. It brings new features, updates and improvements to the user experience.
Q: When will iOS 17 be released?
A: Apple has not officially announced an iOS 17 release date yet, but based on past timelines, it will likely be released in the Fall of 2023 alongside the launch of new iPhone models.
Q: How can I get iOS 17?
A: iOS 17 will be available as a free software update for compatible iPhones. You can update to iOS 17 by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone once it’s released.
Q: What iPhones are compatible with iOS 17?
A: iOS 17 will likely be compatible with iPhone models dating back several generations, including the iPhone X and newer. Older models may lose support.
Q: What are some new features in iOS 17?
A: Some of the rumored and expected features include improved Siri capabilities, visual enhancements to Maps, updates to built-in apps like Messages and Safari, new accessibility options, and more. Unique hidden gems also await discovery.
Q: Will my apps work on iOS 17?
A: Most apps should continue working on iOS 17 or will see small updates. However, some older apps may lose support as iOS updates. Check for app updates after installing iOS 17 to ensure compatibility.
Q: Is updating to iOS 17 safe?
A: Apple thoroughly tests each iOS release, so updating to iOS 17 should be safe. However, it’s wise to backup your device before any major update. As an extra precaution, wait a few days after release to update in case any bugs appear.
Q: How can I learn more about iOS 17 features?
A: Apple provides full details on new iOS versions at their special events and on their website. You can also follow tech sites for the latest rumors and announcements about iOS 17 prior to its release.