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Apple Releases Third Public Betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17

Apple today seeded the third betas of iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to public beta testers, allowing non-developers to test the software ahead of its launch. The third betas come two weeks after the second betas. The third public beta features the same content that's in the fifth developer beta.

General iOS 17 Feature Blue Green
Public beta testers who have signed up for Apple's beta testing program can download the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 updates by opening up the Settings app, going to General, tapping on the Software Update section and toggling on the iOS 17 Public Beta option.

iOS 17 adds a new StandBy option for the iPhone, allowing it to serve as an information hub when it is in a horizontal position and connected to a charger. StandBy mode displays the time, Live Activities, incoming notifications, and tons of widgets.

StandBy iOS 17
Speaking of widgets, widgets you use on the Lock Screen and Home Screen are interactive, so you can do things like control a smart light or check off a Reminder without opening an app. Autocorrect is smarter than before, and it's easier to correct mistakes with a quick tap.

AirDrop has a new NameDrop feature for quickly sharing contact information with a person nearby, and the Phone app has customizable Contact Posters that let you choose what people see when you call them.

ios 17 namedrop
Live Voicemail shows the voicemail that someone is leaving right on your Lock Screen so you can pick up if it's important, and the Messages app has a refined look and a Check-In feature that's meant to help you get to your destination safely.

Live Voicemail iOS 17
FaceTime supports video messages so you can leave a video voicemail if someone misses a call, plus you can use it on the Apple TV. Safari has a locked private browsing window and a password sharing feature, and better tracking prevention. The Maps app now works offline, the Photos app can recognize your pets, and Visual Look Up works with food, symbols, videos, and more.

facetime video messages ios 17
There's a new mood tracking feature available in the Health app, and later this year, Apple also plans to add a journaling app.

ios 17 mood updates

For a complete overview of all of the new features in iOS 17, we have a dedicated iOS 17 roundup. iPadOS 17 also has some iPad-only features like a revamped Lock Screen, with details available in our separate iPadOS 17 roundup.

Apple has also released new public betas of watchOS 10 and tvOS 17.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

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Top Rated Comments

Big Apple Tim Avatar
41 months ago
If it thinks you’re very happy does it then try to sell you a load of Apple stuff to treat yourself?
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
41 months ago
Anyone using the beta having any issues? I'm always hesitant, but beta 3 is usually stable enough to start using.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jimmy Bubbles Avatar
41 months ago

I dont even know why it’s still in beta, it was already perfect on beta 2. There is nothing to fix or iomprove.
Looks like your autocorrect is broken to me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
41 months ago
The Digital Clock in Standby Mode seems to have been updated with a gradient in night mode, just like it has when showing full color.



Attachment Image
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
41 months ago
I want to update but still getting the unable to check for update message. Had this for a few days now.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GIZBUG Avatar
41 months ago

Anyone using the beta having any issues? I'm always hesitant, but beta 3 is usually stable enough to start using.
It’s a beta
There are almost always issues
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)