Apple has officially announced that iOS 17 and iPadOS 17, the upcoming versions of its operating systems for iPhones and iPads, will be available for download starting September 18.

These announcements were initially made during this year's WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) event by the Cupertino-based tech giant.

While developers and beta users have already had access to the iOS 17 Release Candidate, the general public will get to experience the new features and improvements on September 18.

Apple continues its tradition of releasing software updates shortly after the introduction of new iPhones, with iOS 16 released on September 12 and iOS 15 on September 20 in previous years.

New features of iOS 17

StandBy Option:

iOS 17 introduces the StandBy option, transforming iPhones into information hubs while charging. Users can view customizable full-screen information, including display time, Live Activities, incoming notifications, and widgets, all from the locked screen.

Interactive Widgets:

iOS 17 enhances widget functionality by bringing interactivity to both the lock screen and home screen, supporting both first-party and third-party apps.

NameDrop:

This feature leverages AirDrop for simpler sharing of contact information between two iPhones.

Phone and Messages App Updates:

The Phone app gains a customizable Contact Poster, allowing users to choose what their contacts see when they call. Additionally, features like live voicemail and the ability to silence unknown callers will be available in select regions.

FaceTime Enhancements:

iOS 17 enables users to record and send audio/video messages if they miss a FaceTime call. During FaceTime calls, users can incorporate 3D effects into their videos. Furthermore, initiating a FaceTime call directly from Apple TV is now possible.

Apple's commitment to delivering innovative features and improvements ensures that users can anticipate a host of enhancements to their iPhone and iPad experiences when iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 become available for download on September 18.