As far as software updates go, it’s safe to say that iOS 17.2 is a major one, as it introduces several important new features and reinstates others. We are finally getting the Journal app that Apple announced back at WWDC’23, and iOS users will finally be able to customize the default notification alert.
iOS 17.2: All upcoming new features
Journal
Default Alerts
Finally, an anticipated feature is finally making it to iOS: iPhone users will finally be able to customize the default notification sounds. By going into the Sounds & Haptics menu inside Settings, iOS 17.2 users will find a new Default Alerts section, which lets you modify default notifications, like those for texts, mail, calendar events, and others.
Aside from changing the sound bits, you can also tinker with the haptic feedback. By default, it matches the sound you pick, but go wild, choose another one, and customize at will!
iOS 17.2 Default Alerts
Apple Music changes
By default, Apple Music on iOS 17.2 has a new default playlist dubbed “Favorite Songs”, which is automatically populated based on previous tracks you’ve liked. Additionally, Apple Music will automatically add any songs you favorite to your music library, which seems like a must-have feature we should have gotten earlier.
Spatial video
Messages
Free-form emoji reactions are also now part of Messages on iOS 17.2. Simply press and hold on any message and choose “Add sticker…”, then choose any emoji and react. You can daisy-chain different emoji to one another, which is something you’ll likely use just once.
React to any message with any emoji!
New translate option for Action Button
iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro‘s Action Button scores a new Translate option, which can be enabled when you press the button. Automatic voice-to-text translation will then kick off.
New widgets
Yes, iOS 17.2 is one for the customization lovers out there, as it adds new default widgets! Aside from a fancy new Digital Clock widget, the Weather app can now display widgets detailing precipitation, UV index, wind and more. An expanded Daily forecast as well as sunrise and sunset widgets can also be put on any of your home screens.
New iOS 17.2 widgets
Contact Key verification
A new iOS 17.2 feature that’s enhancing iMessage security is Contact Key verification.
“With iMessage Contact Key Verification, users can choose to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend. Contact Key Verification uses Key Transparency to enable automatic verification that the iMessage key distribution service returns device keys that have been logged to a verifiable and auditable map. When a user enables Contact Key Verification, they will be notified about any validation errors directly in the Messages conversation transcript and Apple ID Settings”
Software update in the box
Your future iPhone will be able to get the latest iOS software update even while it’s sealed in its box, and iOS 17.2 establishes the foundation for this neat feature. While it’s true that new iPhones usually ship with the latest iOS version available at the time, critical updates will be delivered to the device even before it gets unboxed.
iOS 17.2: When will it be available?
It’s hard to say, but given the fact that we’re already at beta 4 and the latest release is pretty stable, we would most likely get iOS 17.2 on all eligible iPhones before 2023 is over. Subsequently, we’d likely get our first whiffs of iOS 17.3, which should be available as a developer beta first, public beta afterward, and final release likely in the opening months of 2024.
Can I get iOS 17.2 right now?
Sure you can! However, you will have to get on the public beta channel, and while these are usually stable, consider staying on the official release channel for a more stable and bug-free experience. That’s not to say that regular iOS releases for the wide public are without issues (they are not), but you will retain a certain peace of mind by not meddling with any betas of sorts.
Alex Mitchell is your go-to expert for all things mobile. With a passion for the latest smartphones, apps, and mobile innovations, Alex provides in-depth reviews, insightful analyses, and breaking news about the ever-evolving world of mobile technology. Stay connected with Alex to navigate the fast-paced realm of mobile devices.