It’s official: iOS 17 is available today. The iOS 17 Apple iPhone operating system brings a slew of exciting features, including contact posters, live voicemail, and StandBy Mode. However, that’s just scratching the surface of what’s to come.
As with every new mobile software release, iOS 17 brings hidden features and settings that can be just as handy as the well-known and popular ones – features you might find yourself using daily on your iPhone.
If you’re eager to explore the full potential of your iPhone, keep reading to uncover 5 hidden features I stumbled upon while testing the iOS 17 public beta.
Check Out These 17 iPhone iOS 17 Hidden Features and Settings
1. Automatically Delete Verification Codes sent to you Via Text or Email
With iOS 17, a more convenient way to manage those verification codes used for two-factor authentication (2FA) has arrived. Whenever you log into an app that utilizes 2FA, you typically receive a text message or email with a verification code. Over time, these codes can pile up in your messages or email, and while you can manually delete them one by one, iOS 17 offers a simpler solution.
Head to Settings > Passwords > Password Options, and you’ll find a new “Clean Up Automatically” toggle. When activated, this setting ensures that verification codes in the Messages and Mail apps are automatically removed after they’ve been used with the autofill feature, which appears at the top of your keyboard. It’s a handy feature to keep your messages and email clutter-free.
Surprisingly, up until now, using Apple Maps offline hasn’t been an option. You’ve always needed an internet connection, which can be quite frustrating when you’re navigating in remote areas or places with no connectivity. However, in iOS 17, there’s a game-changing feature that allows you to download offline maps for offline navigation.
Here’s how it works: In the Maps app, simply tap on your profile photo located at the top right of the navigation window. From there, go into Offline Maps. Depending on your typical driving areas, you might see a suggested map to download, complete with the map’s size – this is helpful if storage is a concern. Alternatively, you can manually choose to Download a New Map, enter a city, make any necessary adjustments to the map, and download it directly to your iPhone. It’s a significant upgrade for those who rely on navigation in areas with limited or no internet access.
3. Photos’ zoom Tool Lets You Crop Photos
Cropping a screenshot or an image in the Photos app has always been a straightforward task, but iOS 17 has streamlined the process even further.
Now, when you’re looking at a photo and you zoom in on it, you’ll notice a new Crop button that pops up in the top-right corner. This button instantly takes you into edit mode, allowing you to further fine-tune the crop. Alternatively, you can simply tap “Done” to complete the cropping process. It’s worth noting that you need to act quickly because the crop button is only visible for a few seconds after you zoom in on a photo. This makes the whole cropping experience more efficient and user-friendly.
5. Smoother Music App Transitions with Crossfade
When you’re the designated DJ at a friend’s party or in the car, iOS 17 offers a cool feature for Apple Music – the ability to use a cross-fade effect between songs.
Here’s how to enable it: Open the Settings app, scroll down to Music, and turn on the Crossfade option. Once it’s activated, you can customize the duration of the cross-fade effect. You have the flexibility to choose a cross-fade duration ranging from one second to 12 seconds, in one-second intervals. For example, if you select a five-second cross-fade, the next song in your playlist or album will gently start playing in the background five seconds before the current song ends. It adds a smooth transition between tracks, enhancing your music listening experience.
6. Interact with Home Screen Widgets
Apple has introduced a game-changing feature in iOS 17 – interactive widgets on your iPhone’s home screen. These widgets are not just for aesthetics anymore; they let you control applications right from your home screen, similar to how you would use the control center.
Although the current selection of interactive widgets is somewhat limited, you can easily add one to your home screen. Here’s how: Press and hold an empty space on your home screen to enter edit mode, then tap the plus sign in the top right corner. From there, you can scroll through the list of available widgets. Some of the interactive widgets include Podcast, Home, Notes, and Music.
For instance, with the Music widget, you can play or pause your music directly from the home screen. In the Home widget, you have the power to control connected devices, such as smart light bulbs or thermostats, turning them on or off with ease. It’s a convenient feature that enhances your iPhone’s functionality and accessibility.