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

Tuesday January 10, 2023 3:00 pm PST by Joe Rossignol

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.

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

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

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 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

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

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Top Rated Comments

phenste

49 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

49 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

49 months ago

Do we really need a new version of iOS every year?

Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Wildkraut

49 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)

TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️

49 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!