Apple finally released iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 to the public, but you won’t get to enjoy all the new features and enhancements immediately.
Certain features will be released in a future point release of the OS. Below is a look at all such iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features that won’t be available at launch.
You’ll have to wait for these iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 features
While iOS 17 lacks a major headlining feature, it brings several useful improvements. The new OS is available for devices as old as the 2018 iPhone Xs starting from September 18.
When iOS 17 launches, these features will be AWOL.
1. AirDrop file transfers over the internet
Apple plans to significantly improve its wireless data-transfer service AirDrop with iOS 17 and iPadOS 17. This includes allowing an AirDrop transfer to continue even if you walk away from the source device. As long as both parties are signed into iCloud, the transfer will continue over the Internet. However, this AirDrop enhancement won’t be available in the initial iOS 17 release. Instead, it will arrive later this year as Apple notes in the footnotes of its iOS 17 preview page.
On the bright side, NameDrop, which makes sharing contact info a breeze, will be a part of the first iOS 17 build.
2. Apple’s new Journal app
Screenshots: Apple
iOS 17 will mark the Journal app‘s debut. It will use on-device machine learning to help users chronicle important moments of their lives. The app will create personalized suggestions and prompts, encouraging people to write out their thoughts based on recent photos, workouts and more.
All Journal entries will sync to iCloud, enabling continuous backups and easy access on other Apple devices.
Sadly, if you were excited about journaling your life with Apple’s new app, you’ll have to wait until a later release of iOS 17 to try out the feature.
3. Collaborative playlists in Apple Music
Apple Music will gain some interesting collaborative features with iOS 17. You’ll be able to invite friends to join your playlist. After this, they can then add or remove songs, or even reorder the list. All members in the playlist can even use emoji to react to the Now Playing songs.
However, you’ll have to wait for iOS 17.1 or iOS 17.2 to try out collaborative playlists in Apple Music.
Since collaborative playlists are also coming to Apple Music on macOS Sonoma, it is likely the feature will be released around the time the OS’ public build drops.
4. AirPlay in hotel room
Apple is working with popular hotel chains across the world to bring AirPlay to their in-room TVs. Simply scan a QR code to securely and privately share photos and videos from your iPhone to your hotel room’s TV. However, you’ll have to wait to try out this feature, as it is not a part of the initial iOS 17 release.
5. Apple ID proximity sign-in and more
Several other minor iOS 17 features that are not a part of the first public build include a catch-up arrow for group conversations in the Messages app, a Favorite Songs playlist in the Music app and enhanced AutoFill for PDFs.
Additionally, Apple ID proximity sign-in, which lets you sign into a new device by bringing your existing device closer, is also delayed until later this year.
Don’t get too bummed out about the missing features though. There are over 50 new features in iOS 17 that are worth checking out. They will elevate your iPhone experience further with some meaningful improvements.
