iOS 17 Coming Later This Year: Here's What to Expect

While there are still around five months remaining until Apple unveils iOS 17, we're already able to piece together a few details about the upcoming software update based on Apple's previous announcements and reported information.

iOS 17 Icon Mock Feature Feature
Below, we've recapped everything that we have heard about iOS 17 so far. Apple is expected to announce iOS 17 alongside iPadOS 17, macOS 14, watchOS 10, and tvOS 17 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June, so it's still early, and we'll likely learn about additional features planned over the coming months.

Alternative App Stores

iOS App Store General Feature JoeBlue
Last month, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was preparing to allow "alternative app stores" on the iPhone in order to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act. The changes, which the report said are initially planned for Europe only, would allow iPhone users to install apps outside of Apple's App Store.

Gurman said Apple was aiming for the changes to be ready as part of an "update to iOS 17," meaning that the changes could be rolled out in a point update like iOS 17.1 or later. The law will become fully enforceable in March 2024.

Next-Generation CarPlay

next generation carplay multi display
At WWDC 2022, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, which will feature support for multiple displays, widgets, and integration with vehicle functions like the instrument cluster, climate controls, and FM radio.

Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience will be announced in late 2023, and it's likely that the connected iPhone will require iOS 17 or later. Apple said committed automakers include Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others.

Apple Headset Support

apple ar headset concept 1

Apple Headset mockup by Ian Zelbo

Apple is widely expected to announce its long-awaited AR/VR headset this year, and iOS 17 would likely include support for the device before it launches. Apple could also announce other developer-focused software tools for the headset at WWDC.

Fewer Changes Expected

iphone 14 purple
iOS 17 may have "fewer major changes than originally planned" due to Apple's focus on the "xrOS" operating system for its AR/VR headset, according to Gurman. This could result in iOS 17 having more of a focus on bug fixes and stability improvements, but it's still early, so we haven't heard much about exact features yet.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...

Top Rated Comments

phenste Avatar
30 months ago
please for the love of f—ing God just have a “Snow Leopard year” and focus on the out-of-control level of bugs across all operating systems
Score: 62 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wilson1313 Avatar
30 months ago
JUST STABILITY AND BUG FIXES! iOS has gone tremendously downhill the last few versions with constant bugs and cluttered/convoluted UI changes. And Apple music needs a complete overhaul, it is quite pitiful to use on a daily basis.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
randomthoughts Avatar
30 months ago
Do we really need a new version of iOS every year?
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Wildkraut Avatar
30 months ago

here's how it's going to happen

- alternate app stores for EU happen
- 1 year passes by, but no major developer makes a serious effort
- people look at that and say "see! all those who were against it have nothing to worry about, Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision aren't leaving the stores, you guys worried about nothing"

- then US passes the law too, alternate app stores happen in USA
- Microsoft/Google/Adobe/Activision pull their apps to force users to download their stores
- These stores offer a poor UX (no automated iCloud backups, separate notification background services = battery hog, uses up too much memory, etc...)

all because people wanted to sideload their apps to download Goldeneye 64 rom illegally to play on their iPhone.
I’m looking forward to upcoming plenty of useful opensource Apps.
Alternative browser engines with adblockers like uBlock.
Maybe even a decent firewall like little snitch.
Plenty of Apps and Games that Apple would block, just because they doesn’t fit to their their anticompetitive rules.
Or use iOS even for compiling, etc.

It’s not only for illegal activities.
EU’s DMA, DSA rules! But yes, freedom will reach the US too, it’s inevitable.

Anyway, you can still just stay in the Apple AppStore and avoid Apps waiting you to join alternative AppStores, simply as that.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
30 months ago
I am fine with mostly bug fixes and tweaks. iOS 16 has been solid for me thus far. Hopefully, iOS 17 will be a good supplement release.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TheYayAreaLiving ?️ Avatar
30 months ago
A boost in performance and free of bugs is what I’m expecting from iOS 17. It would be nice if Apple can bring back iOS 4 design to iOS 17. Scott Forstall era!

Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)