Apple unveiled iOS 17 at WWDC 2023, introducing new features like FaceTime voicemail, journal, stickers, and sleep mode. Here is a detailed overview of these new features.

More expressive communication and simplified sharing

Apple has made major updates to three apps essential to everyday communication on iPhone: the Phone app, FaceTime and Messages.

Phone app

The Phone app is essential to the iPhone experience. This year, Apple introduced a new way to express yourself with personalized contact posters. You can customize exactly how you are represented when you call someone. Contact Posters feature beautiful treatments for photos and Memoji, paired with eye-catching typography.

Features of iOS 17 for iPhone
FaceTime

FaceTime also received a significant update. Now, when you call someone on FaceTime and they're not available, you can leave a message. Whether you're just calling to say hello or want to share a precious moment, you can record a message for them to enjoy later.

Posts

Messages are how we stay connected with the people who matter most to us. Apple has introduced several key improvements that make using Messages even faster and more convenient. For example, the search is more powerful and precise with the addition of search filters. Plus, a new catch-up arrow in the upper right corner of your conversation lets you jump to the first message you haven't seen.

iOS 17 on iPhone 14 and iPhone 15
Simplified sharing with AirDrop

AirDrop makes it easy to share files with a colleague or send photos to a friend in seconds. This year, Apple expanded how you can use AirDrop to share in whole new ways. For example, with the new “Name Drop” feature, you can simply bring your phones together to exchange contact details. Additionally, you can now leave AirDrop's range and your content will continue to be sent securely and in full quality over the Internet.

Smarter text entry

iOS 17 brings big updates to keyboard intelligence that improve the experience every time you type. For example, autocorrect is powered by on-device machine learning and is now more accurate than ever. Plus, predictive text helps you finish, add, or change a word quickly, and you'll now get inline predictions as you type.

New experiences with Journal and Standby

Apple also introduced new experiences with the Journal app and Standby mode. The Journal app helps you remember and write about your experiences, inspired by rich details of your day, including people, places, activities, and even music. Standby mode, meanwhile, offers a new full-screen experience with information visible at a glance, designed to be viewed from a distance.

Journal

Journaling is a great way to practice gratitude and has been shown to improve your well-being. The Journal app makes it easy to get started and enjoy these benefits. Using on-device machine learning, your iPhone can create personalized suggestions for moments to inspire your writing.

Standby

Standby mode is perfect for your nightstand, kitchen counter or desk. With the always-on display on the iPhone 14 Pro, it's always available. When you wake up, it's easy to see the time with a clock, and it's easy to customize. You can choose from a range of beautiful clock styles, look back on your favorite moments in photos, and even see the game score or when your food delivery arrives.

In summary, iOS 17 brings big updates to the Phone app with new contact posters and live voice messages, improvements to Messages with a new stickers experience, more ways to share with AirDrop and improved text entry and dictation, plus all-new experiences like Journal and Standby.