MacRumors

If you are unboxing an iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max today, make sure to update the device to iOS 17.0.2 before transferring data to the device from another iPhone, or else you might encounter issues.

iOS 17.0.2 is only available for the iPhone 15 lineup. Apple says the update fixes an issue that may prevent transferring data directly from another iPhone during the device setup process, so installing it is very important. The update should appear during the setup process, or it can be installed via the Settings app under General → Software Update if you proceeded to set up the device as new and transfer data later.

If you already attempted to transfer data from another iPhone before updating to iOS 17.0.2, and your iPhone 15 is now stuck showing an Apple logo, Apple has shared a new support document with steps on how to restore the iPhone:

1. Connect your new iPhone to a computer with a cable.
2. Press and quickly release the volume up button. Press and quickly release the volume down button. Then, press and hold the side button.
3. Continue to hold while the Apple logo appears and don't let go until an image of a computer and cable appears.
4. On your computer, locate your new iPhone in the Finder or in iTunes.
5. Choose Restore when you see the option to Restore or Update.

After restoring the iPhone 15 and updating it to iOS 17.0.2, the process of transferring data from another iPhone can be restarted.

Happy launch day! The new iPhone 15, ‌iPhone 15‌ Plus, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max devices are in the hands of Apple customers as of today. We'll have a full unboxing coming later, but we thought we'd take a quick look at the star of today's launch, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max.

Of the four new iPhones that Apple made available today, the 15 Pro Max has the best feature set and it's the device to choose if you want top-of-the-line capabilities. Here's why it stands out:

• USB-C Port - With USB-C, you can charge your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with the same USB-C to USB-C cable. The ‌iPhone‌ can also be used to charge devices like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, and on the Pro and Pro Max, you can transfer content at up to 10Gb/s with an appropriate cable.
• Action Button - The Action Button replaces the mute switch on the Pro models. It can be set to do all kinds of things like activate a Focus mode, turn on the camera, turn on the Flashlight, activate a Shortcut, and more.
• A17 Pro Chip - The A17 Pro chip enables console gaming on the ‌iPhone‌ for the first time with support for hardware-accelerated ray tracing. You'll be able to play games like Resident Evil 4 and Death Stranding, and it's going to be just blazing fast for checking email, sending text messages, and scrolling social networks.
• Titanium - The ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and Pro Max have a titanium chassis that's lighter than the stainless steel chassis, so even though these iPhones are the same size as last year's iPhones, they'll feel less weighty in the hand. As a bonus, Apple changed the design to make them more repairable so it's less expensive if you break the back glass. Other design changes include more contoured edges and slimmer display bezels.
• 5x Telephoto Lens - The 5x telephoto lens is a Pro Max exclusive feature, with the standard 15 Pro limited to 3x optical zoom. 5x optical zoom was made possible with Apple's new tetraprism technology so you can zoom in further than ever before. You'll get 25x zoom in total, and Apple also made a bunch of other improvements to the camera that you can see detailed in our iPhone 15 Pro roundup.

With all of the features available in the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro plus a larger battery because of more physical space, a larger 6.7-inch display, and the 5x Telephoto lens, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max is hard to beat. Did you get a Pro Max? Let us know in the comments below.

Apple's iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max launched today in markets around the world. If you're the new owner of one of Apple's latest models, then keep reading. Whether you're upgrading from an older iPhone or completely new to the devices, this article will help you get the most out your iPhone 15.

With the first round of pre-ordered devices now being delivered to customers and availability in stores, MacRumors has put together the following series of dedicated iPhone 15 how-to articles explaining all the new features that can be found on Apple's newest models.

All iPhone 15 Models

• Dynamic Island Explained: What It Does and How to Use It
• How to Take Portrait Mode Photos
• How to Turn Photos into Portraits After Shooting
• How to Find Your Friends With Precision Finding
• How to Strictly Prevent Charging Beyond 80%
• How to Charge Apple Watch, AirPods, or Another iPhone
• How to Check Your Device's Battery Cycle Count
• How to Hard Reset or Force Reset All iPhone 15 Models

iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max

• How to Switch Between Silent/Mute and Ring Mode
• How to Get Rid of the Silent Mode Icon in the Status Bar
• Action Button: What It Does and How to Customize It
• How to Assign Two Functions to the Action Button
• How to Transfer Data Over USB-C at 10Gbps USB3 Speed
• How to Adjust Camera Focal Length
• How to Enable and Disable Camera Focal Length Presets
• How to Set a Default Camera Focal Length

iPhone 15 Pro Max

• Everything You Need to Know About 5x Optical Zoom

iOS 17

All iPhone 15 models come with iOS 17 pre-installed. During the iOS 17 beta testing process from June to September, MacRumors wrote a series of in-depth feature guides highlighting every major new addition, plus how tos that walk you through using the new features. Be sure to refer to our ultimate walkthrough, and our special AirPods Pro 2 guide for iOS 17, to get yourself up to speed.

• Ultimate iOS 17 Walkthrough: Guides and How Tos for Every New Feature
• How to Use All the New AirPods Pro Features in iOS 17

Forgot to Pre-Order?

For customers who forgot to pre-order one of the new models or simply decided to wait, most configurations ordered online are now estimated for delivery in October, but the good news is that same-day or next-day pickup is now an option at select Apple Store locations around the world.

Apple's retail employees are receiving raises between two and five percent this year, which is a smaller pay increase than Apple provided during the pandemic, reports Bloomberg. Annual raises are at about four percent on average, with the increases applying to retail employees and AppleCare technical support employees.

Raises are provided alongside employee reviews, which are done in the fall. Last year, Apple was offering bigger raises of eight to 10 percent to combat labor shortages and employee unionization efforts, but as Bloomberg notes, unionization campaigns have not gained traction and wage growth in the United States is down.

Most of Apple's retail employees in the United States earn now $22 to $30 per hour, and are given restricted stock units valued at up to $2,000 annually.

In a support document updated today, Apple indicates that fingerprints might "temporarily alter the color" of the titanium frame on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Fortunately, Apple says this is not a permanent condition, as the fingerprints can be wiped off just like on any other iPhone to restore a clean finish.

"For iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max, the oil from your skin might temporarily alter the color of the outside band," says Apple. "Wiping your iPhone with a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth will restore the original look."

Photos of iPhone 15 Pro models with visible fingerprints on the titanium frame have been circulating on social media since the devices were announced last week, but customers should not be concerned about permanent damage. None of this information should be a surprise, but now it is on the record from Apple.

All of the iPhone 15 models launch this Friday, with orders already beginning to arrive to customers in Australia and New Zealand.

It is already Friday, September 22 in New Zealand and Australia, which means customers in those countries who pre-ordered an iPhone 15, ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, Apple Watch Series 9, Apple Watch Ultra 2, or AirPods Pro with USB-C case are beginning to receive their devices.

Apple fans receiving new ‌iPhone 15‌ and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro are now sharing photos and first impressions on Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, the MacRumors forums, and other social networks. If you've already received your new iPhone, let us know in the comments below and make sure to share pictures and your first impressions!

There are no Apple retail locations in New Zealand, which means customers in Australia are always the first to be able to pick up new devices or purchase an ‌iPhone‌ in an Apple Store. Available in-store stock in Australia will provide insight into what we can expect in other Apple Stores around the world.

‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max models sold out during the pre-order period, and orders placed now from Apple's online store will not ship out until late October or even into November for some devices. The standard ‌iPhone 15‌ models are not as hard to come by.

If you missed out on pre-orders, purchasing at an ‌Apple Store‌ or another location like Target, Walmart, or Best Buy is the only way to get a new ‌iPhone‌ on launch day. While retail stores are expected to have stock, popular ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max models could be in short supply and may sell out quickly.

Following New Zealand and Australia, sales and deliveries of the new ‌iPhone 15‌ models and the new Apple Watches will begin in Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and finally, North America. Many Apple Stores worldwide will be opening up early at around 8:00 a.m. local time to allow customers to pick up reserved devices and make walk-in purchases.

Make sure to stay tuned to MacRumors, as we'll have a hands-on and unboxing tomorrow, followed by deep dives into the feature set of the new devices, camera comparisons, and more.

Apple in iOS 17 added interactive Home Screen widgets for the first time, and developer Christian Selig is using the new functionality to make his Pixel Pals app better than ever.

With Pixel Pals 2.0, you can adopt a digital pet that lives on your ‌Home Screen‌, and you can interact with it in all new ways without the need to open up the app.

You can feed and play with your Pixel Pals, and add your friends so their Pixel Pals can visit your ‌Home Screen‌. Two Pixel Pals together can battle one another, and in StandBy mode, your Pixel Pal can hang out next to you or you can use a new sheep counting feature.

You can also plant seeds on a farm to grow food for your pet, and there are new animals and morphs to unlock. As your friendship with your Pixel Pal grows, you will unlock more morphs. Selig has also added in full games that can be played on the ‌Home Screen‌ in a widget, including PixelQuest, 2048, and Eternal Scroll.

Christian Selig is the developer behind the now-defunct Apollo app for Reddit, which was removed for sale earlier this year. He is now focusing his attention on Pixel Pals.

Pixel Pals is free to download, but unlocking the app's full feature set requires Pixel Pals Premium, priced at $9.99 per year or $1.49 per month.

The new Double Tap gesture for the Apple Watch Series 9 and the Apple Watch Ultra 2 will be enabled starting with watchOS 10.1, according to Marques Brownlee, host of the popular tech-focused YouTube channel MKBHD.

The first beta of watchOS 10.1 will likely be available by next week, and Apple announced that the software update will be released next month.

Brownlee shared his impressions of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 in the video below, which was highlighted by @M1Astra on X, formerly Twitter.

Double Tap will allow users to tap their watch hand's index finger and thumb together twice to perform common actions on the Apple Watch, such as stopping a timer, playing and pausing music, snoozing an alarm, answering and ending a phone call, opening the Smart Stack, and more, all without touching the screen.

Apple says Double Tap is enabled by the S9 chip's faster Neural Engine, so the feature is only available on the Series 9 and Ultra 2. Apple said it developed an algorithm that detects the "unique signature" of tiny wrist movements and changes in blood flow when the index finger and thumb are tapped together.

A similar but more limited accessibility feature called AssistiveTouch is already available on the Apple Watch Series 4 and newer.

Both new Apple Watch models launch this Friday, but Double Tap will require watchOS 10.1. For now, the latest version is watchOS 10.0.1, released today.

Google is continuing on with its relentless #GetTheMessage marketing campaign in an attempt to get Apple to adopt the RCS messaging protocol. In its latest ad, Google shows off the "iPager," which Google describes as a device that "uses outdated messaging tech" like Apple uses "when texting with Android."

‌RCS‌, or Rich Communication Services, is a communication protocol designed by and adopted by Google. Google has been pushing Apple to implement support for ‌RCS‌, but Apple devices continue to support the older SMS protocol. Google claims that Apple is responsible for all the issues that Android and iPhone users have texting one another, including lack of encryption, broken group chats, pixelated pictures and videos, and the green bubbles.

"iPager isn't real, but the problems that Apple causes by using SMS are. Let's make texting better for everyone and help Apple #GetTheMessage and upgrade to ‌RCS‌," read's Google's video.

Major U.S. carriers and other carriers worldwide have adopted support for ‌RCS‌, but Apple has no plans to do so despite Google's multi-year effort. Google has used billboards, ads, websites, social media campaigns, and more to get Apple's attention and to try to convince ‌iPhone‌ users to request the feature from Apple, but so far, it hasn't worked.

In September 2022, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that ‌RCS‌ is not a priority for Apple. "I don't hear our users asking that we put a lot of energy in on that at this point," he explained. To one reporter who said he was having an issue texting his mother on an Android device, Cook said "Buy your mom an ‌iPhone‌."

It is not clear if Apple will ever adopt ‌RCS‌, but so far, it does not sound like the company has any interest in doing so. If Apple did adopt ‌RCS‌, it would allow for end-to-end encryption for conversations between ‌iPhone‌ and Android users, as well as higher quality media. Apple already offers these features for the iMessage service that works from ‌iPhone‌ to ‌iPhone‌.

Apple today released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates for the iPhone and the iPad, adding bug fixes to the new software. The iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 updates come just a few days after Apple launched iOS 17 and iPadOS 17.

The software, which is build 21A340, can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. There is a separate iOS 17.0.2 update (build 21A350) that will be available for iPhone 15 and ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro models.

According to Apple's release notes for the ‌iPhone‌, the update provides bug fixes and important security updates for all eligible devices.

Apple's security support document confirms that the update addresses several security vulnerabilities that may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.

Apple has also released iOS 16.7 (build 20H19) for those who have not yet updated to iOS 17, or those who are unable to update.

Apple today released macOS Ventura 13.6, the sixth major update to the macOS Ventura operating system. macOS Ventura 13.6 comes almost two months after the launch of macOS Ventura 13.5.

The ‌‌‌‌macOS Ventura‌‌‌‌ 13.6 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings.

According to Apple's release notes, ‌macOS Ventura‌ 13.6 introduces important bug fixes and security updates. Apple recommends that all users install the software.

Apple's security support document confirms that the update addresses several security vulnerabilities that may have been actively exploited against versions of iOS before iOS 16.7.

macOS Ventura will soon be replaced with macOS Sonoma, the newest version of macOS that Apple plans to release on September 26. Apple has also released macOS 12.7 for those who are not able to update to Ventura.

Apple today seeded a second release candidate version of the upcoming macOS 14 Sonoma update to developers for testing purposes. The software update comes over a week after the launch of the first RC.

Registered developers can download the beta through the Apple Developer Center and after the appropriate profile is installed, with the betas available through the Software Update mechanism in System Settings.

macOS Sonoma introduces new Apple TV-like screen savers that also serve as wallpapers after you log in, plus it moves widgets to the desktop. You can use the new widget gallery to choose from a range of widgets, and then drag them to your Mac's desktop.

Widgets can be arranged in any way that's useful, and when you're using an app, they are designed to fade into the background so they're less distracting. ‌Widgets‌ are more interactive than before, so you can use them to do things like play music, turn off the lights in your home, and more. Through Continuity, your iPhone's widgets can also show up on your Mac's desktop.

Video conferencing has improved with a new Presenter Overlay view that shows your desktop or project in new ways, plus Safari now supports web apps for the Dock and the option to create Profiles so you can separate personal browsing from work browsing.

Other new features include improved search that's faster and more responsive, password and passkey sharing, a revamped stickers interface for the Messages app, PDF integration in notes that makes it easier than ever to manage PDFs, and more.

macOS Sonoma is set to see a launch on September 26.

Apple today released watchOS 10.0.1, a minor update to the watchOS 10 operating system that initially came out on Monday.

According to Apple's release notes for the update, watchOS 10.0.1 includes bug fixes and important security updates for the Apple Watch.

watchOS 10‌.0.1 can be downloaded for free through the Apple Watch app on an iPhone running iOS 17 by opening it up and going to General > Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery and it needs to be placed on a charger.

Apple has also released watchOS 9.6.3 for those who are unable to update to watchOS 10.0.1 or who have not yet had a chance to install the watchOS 10 update.

Apple today updated its suite of iWork apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac, adding new features to Pages, Keynote, and Numbers.

On the ‌iPhone‌ and the ‌iPad‌, the three iWork apps now support 3D objects in the USDZ file format. Apple says that these can be added to documents to "bring new dimensions" to your work. In Keynote specifically, embedded animations within USDZ files can be played, or Magic Move can be used to animate 3D objects across slides.

The apps support Stickers through the updated emoji interface that allows both stickers and emoji to be used throughout the iOS operating system, plus there are inline predictions for text as you type with iOS 17 or iPadOS 17 installed.

Other new features include options to collaborate on documents over FaceTime, the ability to find and open suggested documents when using Spotlight, and an option to drag documents to the Keynote/Pages/Numbers icon on the Home Screen to import them. Pages also supports new paragraph style options and has a Minimalist Report template, while Keynote has new dynamic themes and live video slide layouts.

On the Mac, Pages, Numbers, and Keynote also now support USDZ files, and the same themes and templates have also been added to Pages and Keynote.

• Pages for iOS [Direct Link]
• Keynote for iOS [Direct Link]
• Numbers for iOS [Direct Link]
• Pages for macOS [Direct Link]
• Keynote for macOS [Direct Link]
• Numbers for macOS [Direct Link]

The iWork apps for iOS and Mac are available for free from the App Store and Mac App Store.

YouTube channel PBKreviews today shared a teardown of the iPhone 15 Pro, providing a look inside the device. Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro has a similar internal design as the iPhone 14 Pro, but with a redesigned mid-frame chassis that allows for the back glass panel to be easily removed from the device during repairs.

The teardown confirms that the iPhone 15 Pro is equipped with a 3,274 mAh battery, as revealed in a regulatory database last week. While the iPhone 15 Pro has a slightly larger battery than the 3,200 mAh battery in the iPhone 14 Pro, Apple says both devices have the same battery life, with up to 23 hours of offline video playback.

Since this is an iPhone 15 Pro teardown, there is no look at Apple's new tetraprism lens system, which enables 5x optical zoom on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

The video provides a brief look at the iPhone 15 Pro's logic board with Apple's new A17 Pro chip, but few other details can be garnered. Repair website iFixit will likely share a more in-depth teardown of the device by next week.

Teardown spotted by 9to5Mac

Amazon today has a few first-generation Apple Watch Ultra models available for as low as $698.99, down from $799.00. The last time we tracked this deal was about one month ago, and it is still the best price we've ever seen on the first-generation Apple Watch Ultra.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Shoppers should note that only one model has hit $698.99 (the small size Orange Alpine Loop), but all others listed here are priced at or around $699.99, which is still $99 off the Apple Watch Ultra. Models on sale include the Green Alpine Loop (medium), Orange Alpine Loop (all sizes), and the Yellow/Beige Trail Loop (M/L).

Most models are available to ship and arrive before the end of the month, but the Green Alpine Loop has stretched into early October. Apple is set to release the new version of the wearable, the Apple Watch Ultra 2, on Friday, September 22. The second-generation device will be priced similarly as the first at $799.

Head to our full Deals Roundup to get caught up with all of the latest deals and discounts that we've been tracking over the past week.

Following over three months of beta testing, iOS 17 was released on Monday for the iPhone XS and newer. The free software update includes a wide range of new features, but not all of them are available right away.

Below, we have listed features that Apple says are coming "later this year" in a future update, such as iOS 17.1 or iOS 17.2.

Journal App

An all-new Journal app will allow iPhone users to reflect on their day and memories, complete with text, photos, music, audio recordings, and more. The app will provide personalized suggestions based on recent on-device activity.

Collaborative Apple Music Playlists

A new Collaborative Playlists feature for Apple Music will allow multiple people to add, reorder, and remove songs in a shared playlist.

AirDrop Transfers via Internet

If you send content like an image or video to another user via AirDrop, the transfer will be able to continue over an internet connection if you leave AirDrop range, so long as both you and the recipient are signed in to an iCloud account.

iMessage Contact Key Verification

In December 2022, Apple previewed a new iMessage Contact Key Verification security feature and said it would launch globally in 2023.

iMessage Contact Key Verification will allow users who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials, to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend. In conversations between users who have enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification, users are alerted if a state-sponsored attacker or other malicious actor were ever to succeed breaching cloud servers and inserting their own device to eavesdrop on the conversation.

As an additional layer of security, iMessage Contact Key Verification users will be able to compare a Contact Verification Code in person, on FaceTime, or through another secure call to further verify they are communicating only with whom they intend.

Next-Generation CarPlay

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 would be announced in late 2023, with committed automakers including Acura, Audi, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Volvo, and others.

More iOS 17 Features Coming Later This Year

• React to a message with any sticker through the Tapback menu in the Messages app.
• A catch-up arrow for group conversations in the Messages app.
• Sync additional settings with Messages in iCloud, such as Text Message Forwarding, Send & Receive accounts, and SMS filters across devices.
• Play or pause a podcast or Apple News+ audio story in the Apple News widget.
• Favorite Songs playlist in Music app.
• Intelligent form detection and enhanced AutoFill for PDFs.
• Audio Focus feature for Apple Fitness+ that prioritizes the volume of either the music or the trainers' voices depending on your preference.
• Apple ID proximity sign-in with an existing signed-in and trusted iPhone or iPad when setting up a new Apple device.

The first iOS 17.1 beta should be available by next week, and the update will likely be released in late October or early November.

Apple's new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C/MagSafe Charging Case haven't even launched yet, and Amazon already has a $49 discount on the earbuds. You can get them for $199.99, down from $249.00 as a pre-order on Amazon.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

This is a very quick discount on the new AirPods Pro 2, matching one of the most consistent deals we've tracked for most of the year on the Lightning/MagSafe Charging Case model. The new AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C/MagSafe Charging Case will launch on Friday, September 22.

There are a few minor changes to the AirPods Pro 2 besides the addition of USB-C, including additional dust resistance and support for lossless audio with the Vision Pro headset. Apple doesn't sell the USB-C/MagSafe Charging Case separately, so if you want USB-C support you'll have to purchase a full new set of earbuds.

Be sure to visit our full Deals Roundup to shop for even more Apple-related products and accessories.