iOS 17 feature roundup: StandBy, NameDrop, Contact Posters, more

iOS 17 has a lot of new features

Apple flew through the software portion of its WWDC keynote to ensure there was space for the Apple Vision Pro and visionOS. So, although iOS 17 wasn't the focus, it still held plenty of new features for users and developers.

Since iOS 14, Apple has focused heavily on device customization and social features, and that stays true for iOS 17. Many of the features shown deal with Messages, Contacts, FaceTime, and content sharing.

AppleInsider has begun scouring the edges of the iOS 17 beta to find every new feature, no matter how small. Here's what we could discover from the keynote and the beta.

Messages, Contacts, FaceTime

Many features centered around users and social interactions. Phone, Contacts, and FaceTime are tied closely together on iPhone, and new features affect them all.

• Create contact posters that take over the display when getting a call
• Share name and photo now includes contact poster sharing
• Contact cards now show posters at the top
• Users can designate preferred pronouns in Contact card
• Live Voicemail transcribes voicemails in real time so the user can decide to pick up
• Leave video messages when a call is missed
• Messages gains search filters
• Catch up for group messages lets users jump to the most recent unread message
• Swipe to reply to a message rather than long press
• Audio messages will now show a transcription
• Shared locations show up with a live map preview in messages
• Check In for iMessage gives loved ones the ability to know when someone has arrived home safe, as needed
• iMessage apps have been moved behind a "+" button
• Live Photo Stickers and animated stickers can be created and used across the system
• Manage iMessage apps via a dedicated section in Settings

New NFC features and AirDrop updates

Apple continues to open up uses for its NFC sensor on the iPhone. It was initially used for Apple Pay but now has many more functions, including HomeKey, introduced in iOS 15.

• NameDrop exchanges contact information by bringing devices close together
• AirDrop via NFC tap
• Background AirDrop over the internet if the local connection is lost
• Start SharePlay with NFC tap
• AirPlay learns user preferences for different devices
• AirPlay coming to hotel TVs

Sharing is caring

Collaboration and sharing content are getting an ever greater focus during WWDC. Long-requested features like AirTag sharing have finally been announced.

• Share passwords and passkeys with different groups
• Share AirTags with multiple users
• Create Apple Music Collaborative Playlists (expected in iOS 17.1)
• Passengers in driver's contacts can join CarPlay SharePlay experience

A media push

Apple has provided some new features for its existing services that blur the lines between them and give users more options.

• Apple Music now supports crossfade
• Apple Music gets detailed song credits
• Apple Music Sing on Apple TV gets an upgrade with Continuity Camera, which shows you on the display with fun filters
• Apple Music Radio show catalog comes to Apple Podcasts with notifications as new episodes come out
• Gain access to exclusive content on Apple Podcasts by signing into accounts like Apple Music, Apple News+ or New York Times
• Apple Podcasts gets a new now playing experience, and support for episode art
• Daily crosswords for Apple News+ subscribers
• Build a workout or meditation routine in Apple Fitness+
• Queue Fitness+ workouts and meditations with Stacks
• Use Audio Focus to control audio levels of music and trainer's voice
• Apple Books gets improved series views with a toggle for switching between ebooks and audiobooks

Everything else

Many smaller features were revealed across iOS 17. User privacy, health, and customization continue to be a focus for Apple.

• Autocorrect gets transformer language model
• Temporary codes sent via Mail app show up as a suggestion (similar to Messages)
• Settings app toggle enables automatic deletion of messages with temporary codes in Mail and Messages after the code is used
• New Ping My Watch button in Control Center
• Apple Journal app and suggestions API (expected in iOS 17.1)
• New mental health features in Health with mood logging
• StandBy brings nightstand mode to iPhone
• "Hey" has been removed from Siri wake command
• Safari gains Profiles, lock for Private Browsing, and advanced tracking and fingerprinting protections
• Offline Apple Maps
• See real-time electric vehicle charging availability in Apple Maps
• See trail information for thousands of trails and parks across the United States in Apple Maps
• Apple Home app gets activity log for previous 30 days
• Reminders gains a grocery sorting feature, new sorting methods
• Photos is better at recognizing people, now lets users tag their pets
• Adults can toggle Sensitive Content Warning to help prevent seeing unwanted nude images and videos
• Take FaceTime calls on Apple TV using Continuity Camera
• Set up recurring payments like allowances via Apple Cash
• Use Digital ID stored in Apple Wallet to prove your age at venues or when buying alcohol — requires businesses to have a business iPhone

Features come and go during the beta testing period of any operating system. Expect Apple to announce that at least some features will be delayed until a later release to improve stability.

Apple is expected to release iOS 17 to the public in September, about a week before the iPhone 15 release date. Any iPhone model newer than the iPhone 8 or iPhone X is compatible.