iOS 17.2 has been in beta testing for over a month, and it should be released to all users in a few more weeks. The software update includes many new features and changes for iPhones, including the dozen that we have highlighted below.
iOS 17.2 is expected to be released to the public in mid-December. To learn about even more features coming in the update, check out our full list.
Journal App
Apple's new Journal app allows iPhone users to reflect on their day and memories, complete with text, photos, music, audio recordings, and more. The app provides personalized suggestions based on recent on-device activity.
Translate Option for Action Button
The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max are equipped with a customizable Action button that replaces the traditional mute switch on previous iPhones. By default, the button is set to toggle between Ring and Silent modes, but it can also be assigned to a different action for quick access to the camera, flashlight, Voice Memos, and more.
Starting with iOS 17.2, the Action button can now be assigned to the Translate app for quick access to language translation in the Dynamic Island.
Spatial Video Recording on iPhone 15 Pro Models
Starting with iOS 17.2, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max can record spatial video with 3D depth for playback on Apple's upcoming Vision Pro headset. When held in landscape orientation, the iPhone's main and ultra wide cameras combine to record 3D video.
The feature can be toggled on in the Settings app under Camera → Formats, and when it is, an extra button to record spatial video appears in the Video section of the Camera app. Spatial videos are recorded in 1080p at 30 fps, and Apple says the iPhone needs to be in landscape orientation and stabilized for the best results. Apple says the toggle will be turned on automatically for future Vision Pro owners.
When played on the iPhone, spatial videos are regular 2D videos without any extra depth effect.
Change Default Alerts Sound
In the Settings app, under Sounds & Haptics, you can now change the sound and haptic feedback pattern for default alerts/notifications. Prior to iOS 17.2, only text, voicemail, mail, calendar, and reminder alerts had customization options.
New Widgets
There are new Home Screen and Lock Screen widget options for the Weather and Clock apps on iOS 17.2. The new Weather options include, Daily Forecast, and Sunrise and Sunset, while the Clock app now offers a digital clock widget.
Apple Music: Favorite Songs Playlist
In the Music app on iOS 17.1 and later, you can favorite songs by tapping the star icon to receive improved recommendations.
Starting with iOS 17.2, favorited songs are also added to a new Favorite Songs playlist.
Apple Music: Listening History Focus Filter
Tired of your kids or someone else messing up your Apple Music recommendations while they are borrowing your iPhone to listen to music? iOS 17.2 includes a new Focus filter for Apple Music listening history that addresses this problem. When this filter is toggled on, the other person's song choices won't affect your recommendations.
iMessage: Contact Key Verification
iMessage Contact Key Verification allow users who face "extraordinary digital threats," such as journalists, human rights activists, and government officials, to further verify that they are messaging only with the people they intend. In conversations between users who have enabled iMessage Contact Key Verification, users are alerted if a state-sponsored attacker or other malicious actor were ever to succeed breaching cloud servers and inserting their own device to eavesdrop on the conversation.
As an additional layer of security, iMessage Contact Key Verification users are able to compare a Contact Verification Code in person, on FaceTime, or through another secure call to further verify they are communicating only with whom they intend.
Apple previewed iMessage Contact Key Verification in December 2022, and it is finally launching as part of iOS 17.2.
iMessage: Sticker Reactions via Tapback Menu
iOS 17.2 allows you to more quickly react to a message with any sticker by tapping "Add Sticker" in the Tapback menu in the Messages app.
Sensitive Content Warnings Expansion
Starting with iOS 17.2, Apple's opt-in Sensitive Content Warning feature works with Contact Posters in both the Contacts and Phone apps, as well as stickers in the Messages app. Apple says this feature is designed for use by adults.
When turned on, the Sensitive Content Warning feature uses on-device machine learning to analyze photos and videos, and blurs photos or videos with any detected nudity before users view them. Apple says it does not receive any indication that nudity was detected, and does not gain access to the photos or videos as a result.
Sensitive Content Warnings are also available for messages in the Messages app, AirDrop transfers, and FaceTime video messages. The feature launched earlier this year across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Apple has offered a similar Communication Safety feature for children across the same devices since 2021.
Memoji: New Customization Options
Apple added a "Body" section for Memoji, allowing users to customize their Memoji character's waist, bust, shoulders, and arms.
Contact Posters: Rainbow Text
Starting with iOS 17.2, there is a rainbow-colored text option for your name when setting up a Contact Poster in the Contacts app.
